How Speed Contributes to Car Accidents

It may seem obvious that the faster a car is moving, the more force and impact damage will occur during an accident. However, researchers have also learned that speed itself can influence whether or not an accident occurs. However, the relationship between speed and crashes is dependent on numerous factors. Specifically, as speed increases, the rate of crashes also increases. Understanding that can provide some clarity on which accidents are avoidable when laws are followed. Talk to a Nashville car accident attorney from Selvidge Injury Law today.

How Speed Impacts Accident Risks

Data from the Institute For Road Safety Research found the following in relation to how speed and crashes occur and why they happen:

• The crash rate increases when a vehicle is driven at a higher speed than if it is driven at a slower speed.
• The individual vehicle that drives at a higher speed is more likely than others to be hurt in such a car accident rather than in other traffic.
• The injuries associated with car accidents become more significant and life-threatening when the car is traveling at a faster rate of speed.
• The mass difference between the two vehicles also plays a role in the severity and risk of a crash occurring and creating significant bodily injury.

Consider the implications of a few key aspects of how speed contributes to car accidents. If there was no movement and, therefore, no speed, no accident would occur. That is obvious. It is not simplistic for researchers to determine at what increased rate of speed the risk of severe accidents is higher. What they do know is that the rate of crashes is higher in car accidents that involve a higher rate of speed.

At the same time, that does not mean that when drivers stay within the limit of the speed zones listed on the highway or roadways, they will be safe and able to avoid a car accident. That does not fit the specifications either.

Many factors play a role in this overall process. For example, if there is a significant difference in the rate of speed between two vehicles, you can expect that both vehicles will suffer significant damage. Which one suffers more depends on other factors, such as the angle of the incident as well as the overall weight and type of vehicles involved.

Does a Person Speeding Cause Accidents at a Higher Rate Than Those Not?

It is possible that when a driver is speeding, they are less able to control the vehicle in a high-speed situation. This can result in more accidents. A higher rate of speed contributes directly to a higher risk for serious injuries in an accident. Still, at the same time, accidents can occur at any speed, and it is not always the speeding driver who is specifically at fault.

Because of the complexity of these types of cases, it is critical for victims of an accident to work closely with a car accident attorney to determine where their level of responsibility in any accident occurs.