One of the leading causes of car accidents in the U.S. is speeding drivers. In 2018 in Virginia, the Department of Motor Vehicles recorded that more than 25,000 accidents happened because of speeding. Of those, 339 were fatal, and 13,346 resulted in injury. 
If you were in an accident with a driver who was speeding, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
The Definition of Speeding
In general, speeding occurs when a driver is going above the speed limit. But in Virginia, there are two types of speeding. When drivers are going up to 19 miles over the speed limit, this is considered speeding. But when drivers are going 20 miles or more over the speed limit, this can be considered reckless driving, which makes the traffic offense a criminal one.
Why Speeding Is So Dangerous
Driving is dangerous enough, and when drivers are speeding, they open themselves up to many additional dangers because:
- It’s more challenging to control a vehicle the faster it’s going.
- It's much more difficult to stop when a vehicle is going over the speed limit.
- Speed reduces the effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety features.
- Driver reaction times slow.
- The severity of crashes increases with higher speeds, which can result in more severe injuries.
Drivers speed for a variety of reasons. They may be running late to an appointment or engaging in distractions such as texting or talking on the phone. Some drivers might become frustrated after encountering slow-moving vehicles, while others are simply seeking the thrill of driving fast.
Injuries That Can Happen When a Driver Speeds
There are many types of car accident injuries, but high-speed collisions can cause some of the most serious damage to victims. The following are common injuries linked to speeding accidents:
- Whiplash. This type of neck strain or sprain usually happens when the impact snaps the driver’s head back and forth abruptly. Whiplash can also happen in slow-moving crashes, and it can be the root cause of several different types of injuries, including nerve damage.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A blow to the head that is severe enough to disrupt normal brain function is considered a TBI. There are various levels of severity, from a minor concussion to a persistent vegetative state. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of TBIs.
- Soft tissue injuries. These injuries can cause damage to muscle, tendons, and ligaments and result in bruising, swelling, and pain. The driver may suffer a sprain, strain, or contusions.
- Broken bones. Sometimes the severity of the impact can cause the body to be forced into parts of the car, resulting in crushed or broken bones.
- Spinal cord injuries. If the spinal cord is injured, communication can be disrupted between the brain and other parts of the body. Depending on where the injury occurred, victims might be fully or partially paralyzed.
Any of these injuries may require victims to go through months of grueling physical therapy.
How Our Northern Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you suffered injuries because of the negligence of a speeding driver, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Having an experienced Virginia car accident attorney in your corner can help determine fair compensation for your crash.
A lawyer can help you work with the other driver’s insurance company or can bring a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A skilled attorney can provide invaluable assistance in helping you gather evidence to support your claim against the other driver.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can help you negotiate a crash settlement that is fair. While you are focused on healing from your injuries, we can assist you in getting a recovery amount that will help ensure your future is not ruined by a speeding driver’s negligence.
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