In 2018, there were more than 400,000 car accidents in the state of Florida. As the state’s population continues to grow, so does the likelihood of more accidents occurring each year.
If you are a Florida resident, you know how dangerous the roadways can be. Unfortunately, the Daytona Beach area is not immune to these issues.
While multiple factors contribute to the high number of car accidents in Daytona Beach and the entire state, one of the leading causes is speeding.
If you are involved in an accident and need legal advice, our Zimmet & Zimmet team is here to help. Our experienced and compassionate legal team can provide you with a free initial consultation and review your case to ensure you know all your options.
Speed Limits Are Set for Driver Safety
Regardless of what you believe, especially if you are in a hurry, authorities are not posting speed limits to annoy you. The speed limits are set based on the laws of physics, and the way vehicles can handle different roadway factors at different speeds.
In most cases, you should travel at slower speeds in these situations:
- Ramps, merges, intersections, and connections
- Sharp turns or curves in the road
- Areas close to traffic signals or signs
- Steep hills that limit total visibility
- Narrow bridges or roadways
- During higher traffic volume times
The speed limit lets you know the maximum speed you should travel in ideal conditions. When it is dark or if bad weather is present, it is always best to slow down to avoid being involved in or causing an accident.
Along with speed limits being set for safety purposes, you likely know that it is dictated by Florida law, and if you are caught speeding, you will be ticketed.
Why Speeding Increases the Likelihood of Accidents, Injuries, and Fatalities
Excessive speed is a factor in approximately 33% of all fatal accidents that have occurred in the past two decades. It is also a common factor in collisions that result in serious injuries.
There is a reason that speeding makes conditions more dangerous. For example, when your vehicle travels faster, you have less time to react to a hazard. Also, at higher speeds, the force will be greater and more violent when an impact occurs.
Other reasons that speeding increases the likelihood of injuries and fatalities include:
- Reduces the amount of time you have to stop
- Increases the distance you need to stop
- Increases the possibility that other drivers will misjudge how fast you are going
- Increases the potential of debilitating injury, disfigurement, and death
- Reduces the effectiveness of restraint devices
- Increases the severity of the accident
As you can see, speeding doesn’t just mean that you have less control of your vehicle. It is a multifaceted issue that can seriously impact you and other drivers.
Holding Speeders Accountable with Car Accident Lawsuits in Daytona Beach
Litigation is not always required to settle or resolve all car accident-related injuries or fatalities. One reason for this is that Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to insurance.
If you have minor injuries, then there’s a good chance your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage will provide compensation. PIP coverage provides a maximum of $10,000 in wage and medical-related losses. To receive this compensation, it is not necessary to prove fault.
The issues may arise when you meet the severe injury threshold. If this happens, you can work beyond the no-fault system to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. However, to do this successfully, you have to have evidence that negligence occurred.
Remember, speeding is against the law; however, it is also a breach of a person’s duty of care to other drivers on the road. Because of this, it is the evidence you need to prove negligence.
Keep in mind that this does not mean that if another driver was speeding, your case is automatically successful. You still need to show the breach that resulted in a crash and what injuries you experienced because of it. It may also be necessary for you to defend against any accusations that you were partly to blame for the accident or any injuries or damages you experienced.
Hire an Attorney for Speeding Related Accident Claims in Daytona Beach
After any car accident, it is only natural to feel confused and frustrated. While this is true, our attorneys and entire legal team are ready to help. With years of experience in the Daytona Beach area, we can help gather the needed evidence and help prove who was at fault in your accident situation.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a free consultation, be sure to contact our legal team at Zimmet & Zimmet by calling (386) 202-1412.
