Speeding is a Major Source of Serious Washington Car Accidents

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on July 17, 2012

Driver behavior plays a role in many Washington car accidents. Distraction by cell phones, texting, or from other sources is a well-known concern among Washington drivers. More common than distraction, however, is speeding, a behavior that causes thousands of deaths nationwide each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

About one-third of car accidents nationwide involve at least one speeding driver, according to the NHTSA. “Speeding” is defined as traveling at a speed above the posted speed limit or as traveling at a speed too fast for conditions, such as snow, ice, tight curves, or traffic.

The layout of roads is a key factor in speeding-related deaths. About 40 percent of deadly speeding crashes occur on curves. When speed is taken out of the equation, the number of deaths on these same curves each year drops by half. Many factors can make a roadway dangerous, and tight or blind curves are among them.

Drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol are also more likely to speed and to cause a fatal speeding-related accident. About 41 percent of intoxicated drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding at the time, compared to 14 percent of sober drivers.

If you’ve been injured by a speeding driver, you’re not alone. The capable speeding accident attorneys in Seattle at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help you seek the compensation you need, so that you can focus on getting well. For a free consultation, call us today at (888) 228-3860.