High Speeds Cause Deadly Palm Beach Car Crashes

Is speeding a big deal? Not according to most Americans. In a recent survey by Farmers Insurance Group, nearly 70 percent of the respondents admitted to occasionally speeding. Thirty-six percent said they regularly exceed the posted speed limit. In fact, many drivers take the speed limit as a suggested minimum and travel five or ten miles faster in order to save time.

How much time can you save by speeding? Palm Beach car accident lawyer David Glatthorn did the math using the following formula: time = distance / speed.

• Travelling 20 miles at 55 mph will take 22 minutes
• Travelling 20 miles at 60 mph will take 20 minutes
• Travelling 20 miles at 65 mph will take 18 minutes

Speeding doesn’t save a significant amount of time, but speeding does increase the potential for injury, long-term disability, and death in a West Palm Beach car crash. Consider these facts:

• The likelihood of serious injury in a West Palm Beach auto accident doubles with every 10 mph increase in speed over 50 mph.
• Car safety features are less effective at high speeds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 12,000 Americans are killed each year (1,000 deaths each month) in speed-related car crashes. In fact, excessive speed is a factor in almost one-third of all fatal crashes; only alcohol causes more Florida car accident deaths. Why is speeding so dangerous?

• It takes longer to stop a car that is travelling at high speeds. This means drivers have less time to react to unexpected dangers or obstacles in the road.
• Drivers who speed are more likely to take other risks. They often swerve around other cars or make unsafe lane changes in order to reach their destination faster.
• The faster a car is travelling, the greater the force of impact during a crash. The force of impact affects both the vehicle and its occupants.

When a driver speeds, he chooses to put himself and others at risk.

If you have been injured in a West Palm Beach auto accident and excessive speed was a contributing factor, you have the right to accountability and compensation. To learn more, request a free copy of David Glatthorn’s book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. If you’d like to discuss your Florida injury claim with a Palm Beach car accident lawyer, contact David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620 and ask to schedule a free consultation.