When you think about some of the top causes of car accidents in Maryland, texting, running red lights, drunk driving, and related misconduct probably rank high on the list. Speeding may not occur to you as being a notable risk. Or contributing factor, especially when you exceed the speed limit yourself occasionally. However, studies reveal that speeding is the more dangerous form of aggressive driving and a major predictor of auto crashes. Data from the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office (MDOT) confirm this finding, as speed leads to more than 10,400 motor vehicle collisions every year.
Speeding motorists are a threat to everyone on the road, so it is reassuring to know that you may qualify to recover compensation if you were hurt or lost a loved one under such circumstances. A Baltimore County auto accident lawyer can assist with the legal process, but you might also find some background information to be useful.
Statistics on Speeding Crashes in Maryland
A look at MDOT figures shows that speed-related accidents are just as much a problem locally as they are throughout the US. For instance:
- Speeding is an underlying cause in 76 fatal collisions every year, leading to 84 deaths on average.
- There are usually multiple injured victims involved with speed-related accidents in Maryland. In the 3,369 such incidents that occur annually, almost 5,000 people are hurt.
- Excessive speed is a factor in one-third of all deadly motor vehicle accidents in the US over the last 20 years. From 2014 to 2018, speeding was the cause of 33.1% of fatal and injury-causing collisions in Maryland.
- MDOT data shows that speeding auto crashes are on the rise in Maryland. After dropping to 9,948 in 2017, there were 10,635 of these incidents in 2018. This is also higher than the five-year average of 10,411.
How Speeding Affect Risk and Injuries
The data indicates that high-speed crashes lead to more fatalities and injuries to victims. It is also important to understand why these collisions are so dangerous. One reason is that a driver has less time to react to potential hazards when speeding or if traveling faster than is appropriate under the conditions. In addition, the laws of physics dictate that a more intense, violent force will result upon impact.
Another effect of speeding is that a motorist will be less predictable to drivers, pedestrians, bicycle riders, and others sharing the road. These individuals will base their own actions on the assumption that a driver is going the speed limit. Perhaps by making a turn or traffic maneuver. When a vehicle is speeding, this assumption can be deadly.
Talk to a Baltimore County, MD Car Accident Attorney About Your Remedies
Speeding is just one type of negligent conduct that increases the potential for serious accidents, and there are many more. Fortunately, Maryland law provides you with options if you were hurt. To learn more about them, please contact attorney Michael A. Freedman to set up a free consultation regarding your rights.
