Speed limits exist to ensure that all drivers have enough time to make safe decisions on the roadways. While there are different speed limits in different areas or sections of roads, drivers have a legal responsibility to make sure they never exceed the speed limit. Failure to do so can result in serious accidents causing severe injuries or deaths.
In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows that over 9,000 people died in 2018 as a result of speeding. If you or a loved one suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s speeding, learn how a Clearwater speeding accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help. Call 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation to discuss your Clearwater accident.
How Speeding Causes Accidents
As a driver on the roadway, a failure to follow posted speed limit signs can result in the inability to have enough time to make safe decisions. Unfortunately, while speeding is completely preventable, the NHTSA reports that one-third of all car accidents result from drivers speeding. Speeding simply increases the risk of an accident for several reasons, including the following:
- Inability to control a vehicle at high rates of speed
- Inability to stop or swerve safely to avoid a car accident
- Increasing the risk of a more severe car accident due to high rates of speed
- Reducing the ability of safety devices such as seat belts and airbags to work properly due to high rates of speed
The consequences and dangers of speeding cannot be overstated. While every driver should always follow speed limits, the dangers are increased even more when there is inclement weather. Following speed limits allows a driver enough time to make those split-second decisions that can make the difference between life and death.
Determining Liability for Car Accidents
In many cases, an independent investigation will need to be done to determine the exact cause, or causes, of a car accident. To determine if a driver was negligent and speeding, sometimes an accident reconstruction expert’s opinion is necessary. In other cases, cameras from the streetlights or neighboring businesses that documented the accident can be used. Some of the ways that a victim may have the legal right to file a claim against a negligent driver of an accident can include the following steps:
- Determine if the official police report shows that the driver was issued a ticket for speeding, or if the accident report mentions speeding in any way.
- Conduct an independent investigation to determine if speeding was the cause of the accident or contributed to the severity of the accident.
- Hire an accident reconstruction expert to determine liability and whether speeding was involved in the accident.
Often, witness and video recordings can help prove that a driver was operating their motor vehicle in an unsafe manner or speeding. Speaking with a Clearwater speeding accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you better understand what steps you would need to take after your car accident to determine liability. Call 1-800-747-3733 now.
Why Determining Liability Matters
In order to receive any kind of compensation for your injuries and losses related to your car accident, you must have a person or entity to hold liable. Once a determination of liability is made, a victim may have the right to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages (loss of future wages)
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Psychological distress
- Other economic and non-economic damages
Determining liability helps a victim understand which person (or entity) to hold responsible legally to compensate them for their injuries and losses related to the accident.
Insurance Company Settlement Negotiations
In many cases, a victim of a speeding accident will have to deal with an insurance company of the negligent party to receive compensation for their injuries and losses. Some victims decide to negotiate with insurance companies themselves. Considerations to keep in mind when you speak with insurance companies include the following:
- Never give any more information than necessary.
- Never provide information if you are still in the hospital or under any medication or partial sedation.
- Never provide full medical records.
- Never allow yourself to be recorded during any conversation.
- Never accept a first settlement offer from an insurance company.
- Never cash a check from an insurance company unless you agree that this will be the full and final settlement offer from them.
- Never admit guilt or fault regarding an accident.
- Never make “small talk” as anything you say can be used to reduce your settlement offer.
If you are attempting to negotiate on your own behalf with an insurance company, remember that you only have a limited time in Florida to bring a lawsuit against a negligent party in a court of law. If you spend too much time negotiating with the insurance company, you may miss this deadline, called the statute of limitations. In many cases, an insurance company will use stall-and-delay tactics to prevent a victim from filing a lawsuit in a court of law.
Learn How a Clearwater Speeding Accident Lawyer Can Help You After Your Accident
If you suffered injuries as a result of a car accident involving speeding, you may have substantial injuries, medical costs, property damage, pain and suffering, and even lost wages if you are unable to return to work due to your injuries. If you feel overwhelmed after your car accident and are not sure if speeding is the reason for your accident, contact our legal team to learn how a Clearwater speeding accident lawyer can help. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 so that we can help you better understand all your legal rights.
We Can Help.
