The speed limit is 75 mph on some of Arizona’s highways. Even when cruising along these stretches of the interstate, some drivers don’t think twice about stepping on the accelerator and taking the car up to 80 mph or even faster.

If they think it’s safe to drive over the speed limit, they’re only kidding themselves. A jump in speed from 75 mph to 80 mph means:

  • The driver has less time to react to an emergency or sudden change in traffic conditions.
  • The driver needs more distance to stop the vehicle.
  • The force of the impact will be greater and may lead to more serious injuries or death.

Over the years, many studies have linked speeding to an increase in the risk of a car accident. Research from the AAA Foundation shows that speeding triples the odds of an accident. The National Safety Commission has reported that forces in an accident involving a car going 60 mph are 300 percent greater than forces involved in a car going 30 mph.

New study examines highway deaths and speeding

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) examined the link between states increasing speed limits and deaths on roads and highways. According to a column in MotorTrend, IIHS researchers examined the impact of changes in the maximum posted speed limit in every state from 1993-2017. For every 5-mph increase in the speed limit there is an 8 percent increase in deaths on highways.

Speeding has been a factor in accidents since the first cars took to the roads. Today, driving too fast plays a role in almost one-third of all roadway deaths in the United States, according to Forbes.

While modern cars are equipped with airbags and have other safety features that weren’t available years ago, traffic deaths continue to be a major problem. Technology won’t protect many of the victims of speeding cars: pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Did speeding play a part in your accident?

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a speeding-related accident, keep in mind that you don’t have to go through the difficult and sometimes confusing process of dealing with insurance companies on your own. You can let an experienced personal injury attorney at Israel & Gerity, PLLC in Arizona handle the claim for you.

Talking to the insurance company without first talking to one of our lawyers can be a mistake. Anything you say to the insurance company can be used against you.

Let us handle your speeding accident claim. We fight on behalf of our clients to make sure they get the compensation they need and deserve. Contact us today.