Speeding Car Accidents
It can be said that every car accident in Arizona is the result of someone speeding. When people think of speeding, they think of driving faster than the speed limit. However, in Arizona, you can be speeding without going faster than the posted speed limit.
Arizona has a general speed law. This law is set forth in Arizona Revised Statute 28-701(A) and states that “a person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, conditions and actual potential hazards then existing. A person shall control the speed of a vehicle as necessary to avoid colliding with any object, person, vehicle…” In other words, in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas, drivers must drive at speeds to avoid car accidents. Any speed that causes a crash or accident may be in violation of Arizona’s general speed law.
Speeding is the number one cause of car accidents in Arizona. Driving at a “speed too fast for conditions” contributed to more than 44,000 car accidents last year and nearly 20% of all injury accidents. (According to ADOT statistics). It was also the leading violation for all fatality crashes.
It is more important now than ever that drivers on the road slow down to protect themselves and others. However, slowing down is easier said than done. In this modern age, where information can be found in seconds and responses are expected just as quick, people seldom stop to slow down. Life and schedules are busy and people are stretched for time. When people are running late or want to carve out more time, they believe that speeding is the solution.
Everyone is guilty of it. We have all driven faster than we should have when running late to an appointment. Who hasn’t thought, that if I drive 80 miles per hour instead of 60 miles per hour I can shave twenty minutes off this drive? However, when speeding results in a collision, the injuries can be severe and life-changing. If you suffered a severe injury due to someone speeding, our Scottsdale personal injury attorneys can help you recover.
There is an old saying that says “speed kills.” Unfortunately, it is more than a saying and is supported by science and studies. It is simple physics that the faster a vehicle travels the more force it creates. When a speeding vehicle collides with you and your car, those forces are transferred. Those forces can be significant and can exceed anything you experience in your normal day to day activities. The results can be severe and catastrophic injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for over twenty years speeding has played a part in 1 in 3 motor vehicle deaths. The reasons are simple. At higher speeds there is a greater chance of drivers losing control of their vehicles. There are also increased stopping distances once drivers observe a danger. The faster vehicles travel the less effective airbags and safety equipment are in protecting drivers and passengers. Finally, the crashes are more severe leading to more severe injuries.
It is especially important that drivers reduce speeds when they encounter or experience the following:
- An intersection or railroad crossing
- Sharp or long turns and curves
- A hill or incline where visibility may be reduced
- A narrow or winding road
- High pedestrian areas
- Areas where animals may be crossing
- Inclement weather
- Roadways with surface debris or obstructions
- Construction zones
Not all drivers in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas will take the caution they should when driving their vehicles. Not all drivers will obey the basic speed law and follow common sense. If a driver speeds and injures you or a loved one as a result, our Scottsdale personal injury attorneys are here to help.
We will hold the other side accountable for putting your safety and well-being at risk. We will work hard to make sure that you and your loved ones receive fair compensation for your injury, experience and inconvenience. Contact one of our personal injury attorneys today to discuss your case at no charge.
