Speeding is the No. 1 cause of automobile accidents. Whether driving above the posted speed limit or simply going too fast for conditions, speeding is a major cause of accidents, not only in Atlanta, but in the rest of the U.S. as well.
Driving above the speed limit is a serious danger. A speeding driver might rear-end you if you hit the brakes when they’re following too close. A speeding driver might lose control of the vehicle in hazardous weather conditions where the roads become slick. A speeding driver might take a turn too fast and run off the road (or into oncoming traffic).
Accidents happen in seconds, but their effects can be felt for a lifetime. One speeding driver can tear a family apart, or at least make life much harder for them. Too many lives are lost because of speeding.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident with a speeding driver, you may have a legal case. The Stoddard Firm has experience with these types of car accident cases and can let you know whether you have a good chance of winning your legal case. Call us or contact us online today to set up a free consultation.
Speeding Fatalities in Georgia
Deaths from speeding have generally declined in Georgia since 2007, hitting a low of 180 deaths in 2012—more than cutting in half the 384 deaths in 2007. However, a major spike in speeding deaths occurred in 2015 and 2016 (the last years for which statistics are available), with 268 deaths in 2015 and 266 in 2016.
This rise in speeding deaths corresponds with a major spike in distracted driving crashes nationwide, although information on whether these two events are related is not currently available.
Speeding deaths are on the rise in Georgia. These accidents often occur without warning, and they can be devastating. Speeding accidents can be deadly, and they can be prevented. Every speeding accident is preventable. Safe driving practices and a willingness to follow the rules of the road can reduce the incidence of speeding fatalities to zero.
No one has to die in speeding accidents. How can we prevent them?
How We Can Prevent Speeding Accidents
The simplest and easiest way to prevent speeding accidents is easy enough: don’t speed. At all. It’s obvious that going 45 mph in a 25 mph zone is reckless, but “minor” everyday speeding can lead to serious dangers. Even going 5 mph over the speed limit can significantly increase the distance a vehicle needs in order to be able to stop. This can add to the likelihood of a fatal accident.
Another way to prevent speeding accidents is the “three second rule.” Under the three second rule, you make sure to follow the vehicle in front of you so that you’re always at least three seconds behind it. This gives you enough time and space to avoid running into the car in front of you.
Further, tighter enforcement and surveillance of roadways would greatly reduce the frequency of speeding-related accidents. Many European countries, along with Canada and Australia, have significantly reduced the number of speeding-related deaths through stiff enforcement of speed limits.
Types of Injuries from Speeding Accidents
Speeding accidents typically cause the same types of injuries that other accidents often do. Here are the five most common types of automobile injuries:
Neck Injuries – Can be as severe as a spinal cord injury such as a bulging disc or a herniated disc in the cervical spine which sometimes requires a discectomy surgery or a cervical interbody fusion surgery.
Leg and Knee Injuries – Legs and knees can be crushed if the vehicle sustains enough damage to cause a broken patella, broken tibia, or broken fibula. These injuries are often repaired with an open reduction internal fixation surgery with an intramedullary rod, inter-locking nails, and/or gauge wire.
Broken Bones – Broken bones always require medical treatment. The most severe breakage is a “compound fracture,” in which the bone punctures the skin and protrudes the body. For example, the femur or the hip bone can break which is often repaired with an open reduction internal fixation surgery with an intramedullary rod, inter-locking nails, and/or gauge wire
Back Injuries – This can include bulging or herniated discs in the thoracic spine or lumbar spine. This sort of disc damage is sometimes treated with a discectomy surgery or a interbody fusion surgery.
Concussions – Occur when the brain impacts the inner wall of the skull and bruises. These can lead to more severe problems such as post-concussive syndrome or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) which are severe and debilitating.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in An Accident
If you or a loved one is injured in an auto accident, you should first seek medical attention. You should also make sure you contact authorities. If your injuries were the result of neglect by another party, you should seek legal assistance. The Stoddard Firm has years of experience handling accident lawsuits, and we even offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Call us today to schedule your consultation.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
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When you’re traveling without a personal car, road safety probably isn’t high on your list of concerns. Cities like Atlanta, with a high volume of tourism and business travelers, have services available to get you where you’re going, especially to and from hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
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Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ 
