Speeding accidents can cause serious injuries, and in some tragic cases, fatalities. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident involving a speeding driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable for the harm that they cause. Time is of the essence in these cases so it is important to act quickly after a New York collision.
Speeding is one of the top contributing factors of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, approximately 35,092 people died in traffic accidents in 2015. Data shows that almost one in three fatalities involved drunk drivers or speeding. In New York, the Department of Motor Vehicles reports that speeding is the cause of roughly 30,000 traffic accidents in the state every year.
Overall traffic deaths in New York City have consistently decreased for the fourth consecutive year in 2017 to their lowest on record. The number of pedestrians, motorists and cyclists killed in accidents in the city fell by 28 percent from 2013. Officials believe that the decline can be attributed, at least in part, to an ongoing safety program known as Vision Zero. The program includes a lower speed limit, tougher enforcement and improved street design.
While programs like Vision Zero have helped deter speeding, the reality is it continues to be a problem both in the city and across the state. While many people believe that speeding takes place on highways, it is also an issue on residential roads and other areas that have low speed limits. Speeding not only causes accidents but can also make collisions far worse when they do occur.
Negligence is the legal theory that is the basis for many car accident lawsuits. A party is negligent when he or she causes an accident or injury by failing to use reasonable care behind the wheel. Reasonable care refers to the level of care that a prudent driver would have used in the same or similar circumstances. A person can be negligent by doing something that he or she should not have done. For example, if a driver causes an accident due to excessive speeding and losing control of the car, that driver will likely be considered negligent. This is because a prudent driver would not speed excessively since they understand the risk of accident associated with such conduct.
You should be aware that New York has a specific time limit for filing a personal injury case. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you do not file your claim within the specified time period, you could permanently lose your right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, even if your case has merit.
Speeding can lead to devastating accidents on the road. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident caused by speeding, you need to reach out to a Syracuse auto accident attorney who can make sure your rights are protected. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we are well versed in virtually every aspect of New York personal injury law. You can rest assured that we have the knowledge and experience to get you the results you deserve. For more information about your case, please call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us online.
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