New Jersey Car Speeding Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy for vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and bicycle riders injured or killed by speeding drivers
Speeding is defined as exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for present road conditions. Though most Americans agree that excessive speeding can be dangerous, many overlook the seriousness of the offense and the true extent of the risk posed to themselves and to others when they are in a rush or disregard the speed limit. Drivers may speed if they drive too fast for weather or traffic conditions – even if they drive at or below the posted speed limit.
At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, our New Jersey car accident, truck accident, and motorcycle accident lawyers are skilled at holding drivers who speed accountable for any catastrophic or serious injuries they cause. Sadly, many speeding accidents are fatal. We work with police, our own investigators, and traffic reconstruction experts, if necessary, to show a driver was speeding. If the driver was speeding excessively over the speed limit, we file a claim for punitive damages. We represent victims and families.
How can we help?
- How common are speeding accidents in New Jersey?
- Why is speeding in New Jersey dangerous?
- What risk factors contribute to speeding accidents in New Jersey?
- Why do drivers speed in New Jersey?
- What injuries do speeding drivers cause?
- What is the value of my New Jersey speeding accident claim?
- Do you have a speeding accident lawyer near me?
How common are speeding accidents in New Jersey?
The National Safety Council states that excessive speeding decreases the time a driver has to respond to emergencies, increases the distance needed to stop, and reduces the ability of safety devices such as guardrails and median dividers to protect the occupants of the vehicle. Speeding was a factor in 29 percent of traffic deaths in 2020 – causing 11,258 deaths – about 30 deaths each day.
Why is speeding so dangerous?
Speeding reduces the amount of control the driver has over the vehicle, and the amount of reaction time a driver has to avoid an accident. Reaction time is measured as the time it takes drivers to recognize that they need to brake, and the amount of time that it takes drivers to move their foot to the brake pedal. The average reaction time for most Americans is 1.5 seconds.
- At a speed of 60 mph, a car travels 132 feet in those 1.5 seconds.
- Elderly individuals and other motorists who may be driving while distractedcan take as long as 2.5 seconds to react. At 60 mph, a car travels 220 feet in that length of time.
In addition to causing more accidents, speed-related crashes often result in more severe injuries than those occurring at lesser speeds. The crash energy absorbed by the human body increases exponentially as speeds increase. For example, when a car increases speed from 40 to 60 mph, the energy released in a crash more than doubles.
In bicycle and pedestrian accidents even modestly higher speeds can mean the difference between life and death. According to the Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 39 mph is twice as likely to suffer severe injury and twice more likely to die than if he or she was struck at a speed of 31 mph.
What risk factors contribute to speeding accidents in New Jersey?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and tailgate. In 2019, “31% of male drivers aged 15–20 years and 17% of female drivers aged 15–20 years who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding.”
Speeding is likely related to other risky driving behaviors as well, including incidents of road rage and other aggressive driving maneuvers such as running red lights and failure to yield. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol speed more often. Those who speed regularly are generally less likely to wear seatbelts or helmets.
Why do New Jersey drivers speed?
Many motorists who speed tend to overestimate their own driving skills and underestimate the potential risks of crashing due to the failure to obey the speed limit. Some of the reasons drivers speed include:
- Being late to their destination
- Being unaware of the speed limit
- Trying to keep up with traffic
- The joy of seeing their car go fast
- Many other reasons (usually completely unjustified)
Speeding doesn’t just happen on I-95, I-287, Routes 9, 27, 130 and 440, and the many other highways that pass through or near Edison, Toms River, and Red Bank. Many speeding accidents happen on roads with speed limits of 50 mph or less, and many more happen on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
In addition to facing a civil lawsuit, speeders face substantial fines and penalties for speeding. Repeated violations can result in increased insurance costs, suspension of driving privileges, or even a permanent loss of a person’s driver’s license.
What is the value of my New Jersey speeding accident claim?
There’s no excuse for driving over the speed limit. Responsible drivers, car owners, trucking companies, and responsible parties should compensate New Jersey speeding accident victims for all their damages (current and future). Your damages include your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and lost benefits
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Property damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of function
- Loss of consortium
We seek punitive damages if a driver drove excessively over the local speed limits.
Do you have a speeding accident lawyer near me?
Our New Jersey speeding accident lawyers meet clients at our offices located in:
- Edison, NJ at 40 Ethel Road and
- Toms River, NJ at 563 Lakehurst Road
Our personal injury lawyers also meet clients who are immobile or in ill health at their homes, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities. We do conduct interviews by telephone and Zoom.
We understand how crushing it is to learn your injuries could have been avoided, or a loved one wouldn’t have died – if only the driver who caused the crash had obeyed the speed limit. We guide you through each phase of the claims process from the initial interview through depositions, negotiation, and a jury trial (if necessary).
Contact our New Jersey car accident Lawyers to discuss your rights after a speeding accident
Negligent driving, including speeding, puts everyone on the road at risk. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a speed-related car accident, the New Jersey car accident lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP can help you gain the compensation you deserve to help you recover from your losses. Our personal injury lawyers in New Jersey represent clients throughout the state with offices conveniently located in Edison, Red Bank, and Toms River. Call or contact us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our dedicated and highly skilled car accident lawyers.