Speeding Accident Lawyers in New York City

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Scene of a car accident on the roadMost drivers know the dangers of speeding. Yet speed-related accidents take a tragic toll on New York City motorists and pedestrians every day. Driving too fast increases the likelihood of a crash and the severity of a victim’s injuries. In many cases, car accidents caused by speeding leave victims with staggering medical expenses and a limited ability to work. Without help from a speeding accident lawyer, a collision could cost you dearly.

The New York City speeding accident attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C. will help you recover compensation for your injuries and protect your rights after an accident. Our legal team includes several former New York Supreme Court Justices, and we have a track record of obtaining multi-million-dollar results for our clients. No matter how bad your injuries are or the complexity of your case, we will handle the legal legwork so you can rest and heal. We will meet you wherever is most convenient and will never stop our pursuit of justice on your behalf. That is our never-ending commitment to you. Contact our office right now for a free consultation.

Speeding Accident Statistics in New York

Speeding is a leading cause of New York car accidents. Statewide data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) recorded 1,068 fatal crashes involving speeding drivers in a recent year. These crashes accounted for roughly 34 percent of all fatal collisions. In addition, speeding accident statistics from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) show that unsafe speed contributed to nearly 350 injuries or fatal crashes in New York City during a single month.

For comparison, crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show there were 38,824 traffic deaths nationwide in one recent year. Speed was a factor in 11,258 of those fatal crashes. That works out to about 29 percent of all U.S. traffic deaths, meaning New York has a higher rate of speeding accident fatalities than the rest of the country.

How Does Speeding Contribute to the Number of Car Accidents?

Did you ever ask yourself, “How does speeding cause accidents?” While driving too fast is not the only factor that can cause a collision, speeding does make crashes more likely for several reasons. These include:

  • The smaller margin for error – A driver traveling at high speeds has less time to react to changing traffic conditions. If a speeding driver makes a mistake or encounters an unexpected obstacle, they might not have enough time to correct the error or avoid the hazard safely.
  • Longer stopping distance – The faster the speed, the longer it takes a driver to slow down and stop their vehicle. Speeding drivers are more likely to cause a rear-end accident because they might not have enough space and time to avoid a crash.
  • Less control – The faster a car moves, the harder it is to control. Tiny steering wheel movements can lead to big changes in a car’s direction or momentum, causing even the most experienced driver to lose control.
  • Greater likelihood of pedestrian and bicycle accidents – Speeding makes it harder for drivers to notice their surroundings, so they may not see a pedestrian or bicyclist before it’s too late.

Common Injuries Caused by Speeding Car Accidents

The laws of physics tell us the faster something moves, the harder it hits when it collides with another object. Therefore, it’s no surprise that speeding accidents in New York City frequently cause severe injuries, and unfortunately can often result in the death of a motorist or pedestrian.

Common injuries from speeding accidents include:

  • Back injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Emotional distress
  • External injuries to the face and head
  • Injuries to internal organs
  • Internal bleeding
  • Lacerations and puncture wounds
  • Neck injuries, including whiplash
  • Severe burns
  • Severed or crushed limbs
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries, including complete or partial paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

How to Prove Someone Was Speeding in an Accident

Every car crash comes with a specific set of facts. Our accomplished attorneys investigate each case thoroughly to uncover what happened and who is at fault. We will identify and secure all of the available evidence that will be critical in proving the other driver was speeding. Examples of evidence include:

  • Eyewitness accounts – While witnesses might not know how fast a car was moving, they might have seen enough to know the driver exceeded the posted speed limit.
  • Evidence from the crash scene – Our law firm works with industry-leading experts in accident reconstruction who will analyze the scene to determine how fast the at-fault driver’s car traveling at the moment of impact.
  • Surveillance footage – Video footage from traffic cameras, house and business cameras, and vehicle cameras may provide valuable visual evidence that a driver was speeding before impact.
  • Photos – Pictures from the accident scene may serve as supporting evidence in a speeding accident claim. The level of damage to your vehicle is measurable and can be used to estimate speed based on the damage to each vehicle.

Compensation in a New York Speeding Accident Case

You must work around New York’s no-fault insurance laws before you can file a personal injury claim against the driver who injured you. With help from an experienced speeding accident attorney, you could recover compensation for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills
  • Reduced future earning capacity

Time Limit to File a Speeding Accident Lawsuit

New York State law gives you three years from the date of a speeding accident to file a lawsuit against the driver who injured you. If your loved one was killed in a speeding accident, then you have two years to file a lawsuit, and -if your claim involves a municipality, a lawsuit must be filed within ninety (90) days of the accident. Either way, it is in your interest to meet with an attorney as soon as possible so they can identify and preserve essential evidence. Retaining a lawyer immediately after a crash can also help you recover the money you deserve and need more quickly.

Talk to an Experienced Speeding Accident Lawyer in New York City Today

The top-tier New York City injury attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C. stand ready to protect your rights and help you claim the money you need after a speeding accident. Call our New York City office today or visit our contact page for a free case review.