3 Reasons Why Speeding Could Lead to Serious Maryland Car Accidents

Speeding is a factor in many Maryland car accidents. We have all seen it: cars roaring past on the highway, weaving in and out of traffic and so forth. Excessive speed can cause an accident because it increases a vehicle’s stopping distance. In addition, the laws of physics dictate that a more intense, violent force will result upon impact. Not only can speeding cause a collision, but it can also make the resulting injuries much worse.

Speeding also increases the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle. A driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects becomes very difficult, especially in poor weather conditions or slippery roads. These factors often result in more serious car accidents, such as rollovers, rear-end crashes, or head-on collisions. Moreover, speeding affects braking distance. Speeding vehicles requires a longer distance to come to a complete stop. This can be especially hazardous in heavy traffic or when drivers approach intersections. The extra distance needed to stop could mean the difference between avoiding a car crash and causing one.

When drivers speed, they risk not only their own lives but also the lives of everyone who shares the roadway. In Maryland, a speeding driver who causes a car wreck can be held responsible for the injuries that result from their negligence. Even if the driver was not exceeding the posted speed limit, the speed could have been too fast for the weather or traffic conditions, meaning the motorist was still negligent.

A third of the state’s traffic car accident fatalities may have been avoided, had it not been for the reckless behavior of certain speeding motorists. It is no secret that speeding can lead to serious injuries, even death.

Here are 3 reasons why:

• Speeding reduces the amount of time in which you can avoid an auto crash;
• Speeding increases the distance you need to keep your vehicle from striking another vehicle; and
• Speeding impairs your ability to judge distances and spot pedestrians and other hazards on the horizon.

Even if you have exercised safe driving habits on Maryland roadways, there is still the chance that your car collision may have been caused by the negligence of another motorist. To be sure, contact a Maryland car crash lawyer as soon as possible, to review the circumstances that led to your Maryland auto accident and determine if you may be able to file a personal injury claim.

Why Do Drivers Speed?

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), which has researched the question on many occasions, has found that motorists speed for one of the following reasons:

• Situational factors. Being in a hurry often cited as a situational factor, as were the length of the trip and driving environment. As an example, some drivers reported speeding only when on a long trip with few cars on the roadways or nearby. Others admitted to speeding when they were late for work, or a social event.
• Social pressure. If drivers nearby are speeding, motorists feel obligated to drive at the same speed so that they do not impede the flow of traffic. Also, many drivers believe that the risk of a traffic ticket is lower if everyone is speeding.
• Inattention. Drivers often speed because they do not know what the speed limit is or they are not paying attention to their driving speed. Factors such as the flow of traffic, playing music, or talking to other passengers in the vehicle. Some motorists also say that texting on their cell phone is a distraction.
• It feels good to speed. Some drivers stated that it feels good to speed, particularly if they drive a sports car or luxury vehicle.

Speeding is a complex behavior influenced by various factors, including time pressure, social norms, perceived risks, emotional states, and reinforcement mechanisms. Addressing the root causes of speeding requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, enforcement, awareness campaigns, and interventions targeting individual attitudes and behaviors on the roadways. By understanding why drivers speed and addressing these underlying factors, we can work towards promoting safer driving habits and reducing the prevalence of speeding-related car accidents in Maryland.

Accidents Caused by Speeding in Maryland

Many people throughout Maryland have had to endure the loss of a loved one because of a speeding-related car crash. Many others have also suffered serious injuries because of speeding, causing significant financial, physical, and emotional damage.

Speeding has been identified time and again as an extremely dangerous practice.

In fact, according to the National Safety Council:

• More than $13,000 people in the U.S. die annually in car collisions caused by motorists driving too fast.
• In 2015, 27 percent of fatal car crashes in maintenance or construction zones were directly attributed to speeding.
• Speeding comes at a significant cost to society. Over $40 billion is lost annually to medical expenses, lost productivity and other costs attributed to speeding-related injury or death.
• For every minute gained by a driver speeding, society pays more than $78,000.

Any driver who is driving over the speed limit or driving too fast for the road conditions could potentially cause a speeding-related car collision. Certain motorists, however, are more likely to drive too fast.

According to the National Safety Council:

• Young male drivers are the demographic group who are most likely to be involved in a car crash caused by speeding.
• In 2017, 39 percent of male drivers between the ages of 15-20 who were involved in a fatal car crash were speeding when the collision occurred.
• Drivers who are impaired by alcohol, or under the influence of drugs are more likely than other drivers to exceed the speed limit.

How to Prevent Speeding in Maryland

In many cases, speeding is a mindset. It may be a belief that the rules do not apply to you, that you will not get caught, or that it is not dangerous. But these fallacies put you, your passengers, and other motorists and pedestrians at risk. Here are a couple of tips that should help curb your speeding:

• Give yourself more time to get where you are going, and factor in the time of day to make allowances for rush hour traffic.
• Check your speedometer regularly since the speed limit changes often as you drive on the roadways through different areas.
• Keep your eyes peeled for signs so that you know what the speed limit is.
• Use your cruise control. This is one of the easiest ways to control speeding.
• Consider the consequences of speeding. Is driving over the speed limit worth paying a fine, losing your license, injuring someone, or being injured yourself?
• Do not let others determine your speed. Move to the right lane if you are feeling that other drivers are pushing you to drive too fast.

Seeking the Help of a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer

Drivers who speed are a threat to everyone on the roadways, so it is reassuring to know that you may qualify to recover compensation if you or a loved one was injured or deceased under such circumstances. At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, we represent clients who have been hurt in Maryland speeding car crashes, helping them recover the settlement they deserve. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Maryland car collision where excessive speed was a factor, contact our legal team today. Get one of our experienced car accident personal injury lawyers working for you.

We treat every client like family with courtesy and respect. Our legal team has many years of experience helping people who have been involved in speeding-related car crashes just like yours. We have the experience, knowledge, and track record to give you the best representation possible. Contact us today at 443-844-1528 to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation.