Los Angeles Speeding Car Accidents Attorneys
Although all drivers in California have a duty of care not to injure others while operating a motor vehicle, speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in the state. Moreover, traveling at excessive speeds often leads to high impact collisions, causing catastrophic injuries and fatalities. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding contributes to 31 percent of the car accident deaths in the United States each year.
J&Y Law Firm has decades of experience handling car accident cases in Northern and Southern California. If you or a loved one has been injured by a speeding driver, we will work tirelessly to help you obtain meaningful compensation.
California Speed Limits
There are three types of speeding laws in California: basic speeding law, presume speed limits and absolute speed limits.
- Basic Speeding Law – Prohibits driving (1) at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent considering factors such as the weather, visibility, traffic conditions, the surface and width of the road or highway, or (2) at a speed that endangers the safety of persons or property. If you are driving 55 mph in a 45 mph speed zone during a dense fog, for example, you may be cited for driving “too fast for conditions.”
- Presumed Speed Limits – 15 miles-per-hour at railroad crossings, in alleys, and highway intersections without 100 feet of visibility of approaching vehicles, and 25 miles-per- hour in business and residential districts and school zones (some school zones may have speed limits as low as 15 mph.
- Absolute Speed Limits – 70 miles-per-hour on freeways posted at that speed, 65 miles- per-hour on freeways and other higherways not posted at 70 MPH, 55 miles-per-hour on two lane undivided highways unless posted for a higher speed.
Driving above these speed limits is a traffic violation that is punishable by fines, additional assessments, and possible license suspension for repeat offenders. Depending on the circumstances, speeding can also lead to a charge of reckless driving if the vehicle was being operated in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
The Perils of Speeding
Contrary to what many drivers think, there is a valid reason for speed limits because they consider the road conditions and environment to determine the safe speed for a particular road. In short, speeding is a traffic offense that involves driving at a speed that is unsafe for a particular road condition.
Anyone who drives on the roads and highways of California, however, knows that speeding is far too common. In fact, most drivers have probably traveled at unsafe speeds at one time or another. Nonetheless, the majority of speeding accidents can be avoided if drivers adhere to the applicable speed on the road they are traveling.
Speeding is dangerous for any number of reasons. In particular, speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to road and traffic conditions. Drivers have less time to stop or slow down and speeding makes it harder to handle a car and respond to unforeseen obstacles such as sudden turns, stopped cars, or debris in the road. Not only does speeding reduce a car’s traction and stability, vehicles are prone to rollover accident, particularly SUVs. Ultimately, speeding puts the occupants of a vehicle, other drivers and pedestrians at an increased risk of danger.
Consequences of Speeding
The most common reasons for speeding include being in a hurry, not paying attention to the vehicle’s speed and neglecting or disregarding traffic laws, all of which put other drivers, passengers and pedestrians in danger. In fact, the speed of a car is directly related to the severity of injuries in accidents. Speeding is also the second largest cause of car accident fatalities, behind driving under the influence.
Additionally, many speeding accident victims sustain lasting physical injuries, are unable to work for extended periods of time, and incur significant medical expenses. Although there are penalties for violating speed limit restrictions in California, it is still possible to pursue a civil lawsuit even if the other driver was not ticketed for speeding.
California Speeding Accident Injury Attorney
If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by a speeding driver, you may be able to recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering and other losses. As the premier personal injury firm serving clients in Northern and Southern California, J&Y Law Firm has a proven track record of successfully pursuing speeding accident claims.
Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable and aggressively fighting for the rights of our clients. We will negotiate with the insurance company to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. If the insurer refuses to make a fair and reasonable offer, we are fully prepared to litigate your case in court. Although no amount of money can fully compensate you, it can help you on the road to recovery. Call our office today for a free consultation or complete the contact form on our website.