Proving that Your Accident Was Caused by a Speeding Motorist
While a wide range of driving habits can and do cause car accidents on a regular basis, some are notorious for being especially dangerous. Speeding, for instance, is recorded as being involved in around one-third of all car accident fatalities over the last 20 years. Speeding continues to be a problem for drivers in the U.S., with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimating that speed was a contributing factor in 26 percent of traffic fatalities in 2017. Fortunately, accident victims who can prove that their collision was the result of another driver’s decision to exceed the speed limit are often entitled to compensation for their accident-related losses, so if you were recently hurt in a collision caused by a speeding driver, you should speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer who can help you.
Onboard Electronic Systems
Unfortunately, because speeding accidents tend to happen so fast, demonstrating liability can often prove difficult. There are, however, a few different ways to prove that speed was a contributing factor in an accident. For instance, many modern vehicles have electronic data recorders (EDRs) in their vehicles. These kinds of devices record a wide range of information about a vehicle, including its speed before and during the time of an impact, as well as brake, steering input, acceleration, and pedal data, all of which can provide helpful insight into the cause of an accident.
Accident Scene Evidence
Often, at-fault drivers attempt to deny responsibility for an accident. Fortunately, in speed-related accidents, evidence from the scene of the crash can often be used to counter any untrue denials. Skid marks, for instance, depending on their length and depth, can help prove how fast a car was going prior to a crash, as well as when a driver attempted to hit the brakes, and how long it took the vehicle to stop. Vehicle damage can also provide clues about how fast a vehicle was traveling prior to a collision. Most vehicle manufacturers, for instance, provide collision ratings for all of their vehicles, which demonstrate how much damage will likely occur at differing speeds. This data can then be compared to the damage caused in a specific accident to determine the speed at which the vehicles were traveling.
Expert Witness Statements
Some accident victims who attempt to prove fault in speeding cases are able to do so by obtaining the aid of an accident reconstruction expert, who can use evidence from the scene of the accident, as well as photographs of vehicle damage, and eyewitness reports to recreate how a collision actually occurred. These types of reconstructions can prove crucial in helping give a jury a strong visual demonstration of how speed factored into an accident.
Call Today for Help with Your Car Accident Case
Please call 954-566-9919 today to speak with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer at Boone & Davis about the types of evidence you will need to help prove that your accident was the result of someone else’s negligence.
Resource:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding
