The Connection Between Speeding and Fatal Car Accidents

Many of us would probably admit to exceeding the posted speed limit at one time or another. But did you know just how dangerous speeding can be and the risks you are assuming when you do it? 

Fatalities occur on this nation’s roadways for a variety of reasons. But speed is one factor that contributes to the frequency and severity of car accidents nationwide. Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between speed and fatalities in car accidents. 

What’s the Connection Between Speeding and Fatal Car Accidents?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was responsible for the deaths of 12,330 people in 2021. That same year, excessive speed was responsible for 29% of all traffic fatalities, making it the leading cause of traffic-related deaths. 

The Institute for Road Safety Research released a report on the relationship between speed and crashes. The study concluded several things:

• If speeds being driven on a road are higher, crash rates will also increase. 
• Crash rates will be higher for vehicles that speed than for other vehicles on the same road. 
• As speeds of driving increase, crashes result in more serious injuries both for the driver and others involved in the accident. 
• Injury severity in a crash involving speed is also determined by the mass difference between the two vehicles. In other words, a smaller vehicle will suffer more damage, and occupants will sustain more severe injuries. 
• When vehicles on the road speed, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists are at a particular risk. 

The Dangers of Excessive Speeding

Speed substantially impacts the number of car accidents occurring and the severity of injuries caused by those crashes. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), this happens because of several inherent dangers of speeding, including:

• Excessive speed increases the distance required for a vehicle to slow or stop once the driver begins to break. 
• Speeding increases the distance a vehicle travels from the time the driver realizes they need to stop until they can react. 
• Driving too fast increases the likelihood that the driver will lose control of the vehicle if they have to try to avoid an object or another vehicle. 
• Speeding increases crash energy disproportionately; for example, if there’s an increase in vehicle speed of 50% to 60 mph from 40 mph, the impact energy increases by 125%, which can result in severe injuries and death. 

In high-speed crashes, vehicles are subject to massive forces that can tear vehicles apart and result in catastrophic injuries. Airbags and seatbelts can save lives, but only up to certain speeds and impact levels. At high rates of speed, the likelihood of life-altering injuries or fatalities becomes much higher. 

Why So Many People Engage in Speeding

Generally, most drivers don’t think twice about increasing their speed by five mph or more. But it’s a dangerous behavior that a driver might hesitate to do if they understood the reasons behind it. You can also potentially protect yourself if you can predict the actions of other drivers on the road. Here are a few reasons why so many people in Mississippi engage in speeding:

• Mississippi drivers often wrongly assume they can safely control their vehicles at any speed. 
• Drivers are in a hurry, so ignore the dangers of speeding, even if they are aware of them. 
• Drivers only view speeding as an issue if they get pulled over for it. 
• Drivers become distracted and don’t notice their rate of speed. 

Whether you’re driving or trying to avoid a high-speed accident, these causes are important things to understand to reduce the risk of significant injuries. 

How Excessive Speed Can Impact a Wrongful Death Case

Speeding can impact your ability to collect full and fair compensation after a serious car accident in Mississippi. If the other driver was clearly speeding or even cited for speeding by the police, this is a clear sign of negligence. 

If both drivers were speeding or you or your loved one were accused of excessive speed, Mississippi’s shared fault law comes into play. Essentially, your damages would be reduced by your degree of fault, no matter how high that was. 

Bottom line: It’s never safe to speed, and there’s a direct connection between driving at unsafe speeds and fatal car accidents. If a loved one has lost their life due to the negligence of a reckless driver, you may have the right to compensation through a wrongful death case. 

At Mississippi Car Accident Attorney, we are committed to delivering the most up-to-date and useful information about vehicle accidents so victims and their loved ones can make the most informed choices about their future.