In a Staten Island car accident in which people suffer catastrophic injuries or fatalities, the cause of the crash is one of the most important factors as the case is investigated. People who are hurt or lose a loved one in a crash must be aware of the importance of the cause, if they are considering litigation to be compensated. While certain factors, such as drunk driving, are considered a common factor in these crashes, a recent study by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says that speeding is almost as prominent in causing fatal accidents.
According to the NTSB, from 2005 to 2014, there were more than 100,000 road fatalities due to excessive speeds. The chairperson of the NTSB says that for every mile over the speed limit a driver goes, the chance of an accident increases.
In some states, the decision was made to increase the speed limit. The NTSB believes this led to the unintended consequences of more people dying in a crash due to speeding.
Many states have installed speed cameras to dissuade drivers from exceeding the speed limit. But, the installation of these devices has not been widespread. One law enforcement captain in Virginia says that drivers speeding is something he sees every day. They travel an average of seven or eight miles beyond the posted limit.
A concentration on enforcement and more speed cameras are strategies that the NTSB suggests would be effective to combat the problem. Speed cameras are common in New York, but it does not always dissuade drivers from speeding.
People who are in car accidents can face major problems because of injury or losing a loved one in a wrongful death incident. There can be massive medical costs, the need for long-term care, lost wages from being unable to work and other issues. Speeding is a common reason for these accidents.
Having a comprehensive accident investigation to determine the cause and garner evidence is vital to a legal case. For every aspect of a case from the time the accident occurs and beyond, having legal assistance is essential and is the first call to make.
Source: cbsnews.com, “Speeding kills nearly as many people as drunk driving, NTSB says,” July 26, 2017
