More than 12,000 people died in speed-related car accidents across the United States in 2022. Speeding is a choice, which means there are an average of 1.36 avoidable car accident deaths every hour of every day.
Speed tends to be most problematic in urban parts of the country, where there’s not a lot of room for error when you make a mistake at the wheel. Not surprisingly, speed is the primary cause of car accidents in Santa Rosa, California. In 2023, speed was a factor in at least 166 crashes, which accounted for nearly one-third of all car accidents across Sonoma County.
If you’ve been injured in a speeding car accident in Santa Rosa, it’s important to know that you have rights. Not only can you file a claim with the speeding driver’s insurance company, you can also sue the speeding motorist to hold them personally accountable for any damages that exceed their car insurance policy limits. However, you’ll face a lot of resistance as you pursue a legal claim, so it’s imperative to put an experienced and respected legal advocate in your corner.
At Singleton Schreiber, our Santa Rosa car accident attorneys are the top choice for crash victims and families across the state. We’re fearless advocates who don’t back down when insurance companies try to strongarm our clients into accepting less compensation than they deserve. Our tenacity and determination have yielded billions of dollars in settlement awards and jury verdicts.
Don’t struggle with the consequences of a speed-related crash on your own. Call our Santa Rosa law office to discover how our award-winning litigators can help you achieve the best possible case results, too. Your first case evaluation is free.
Why is Speeding So Dangerous?
Santa Rosa has speed limits for a reason. The faster a vehicle moves, the more damage it can do if it’s involved in an accident. As speed increases, so does the force that’s transferred to vehicle occupants upon impact. The more force that’s applied, the greater the chance for catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
Drivers who speed:
- Have less time to make snap judgments and decisions when there are changes in traffic
- Suffer from reduced reaction times
- Need more time and space to bring their vehicle to a complete stop than slower-moving motorists
- Are more likely to lose control of their vehicles
Speeding is particularly dangerous when a driver is also distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drowsy, or engaged in dangerous maneuvers at the wheel.
What Evidence Can Help Me Prove Another Driver Was Speeding?
Whether another driver decided to speed or did so absentmindedly, it’s still a clear deviation from the standard of care expected of Santa Rosa motorists. Speeding is also a violation of state law, which sets specific limits for vehicle speed that are designed to facilitate the safe movement of traffic throughout the state.
However, in order to hold a speeding motorist (or their insurance company) responsible for a crash, you’ll have the burden of proving that they exceeded the speed limit (or safe speeds under the driving conditions).
Several pieces of evidence might be helpful in these situations:
- A copy of a speeding ticket issued to the defendant at the scene of the crash
- Police reports that indicate speed played a part in the collision
- Eyewitness testimony and accounts regarding the defendant’s rate of speed right before the wreck
- Tire tracks and other physical evidence that the driver had a difficult time slowing down
- Property damage
- Medical records reflecting the severity of your injuries
- Video footage captured from dash cams, surveillance cameras, or red light cameras
- Forensics reports and reports generated by accident reconstruction specialists
If you can gather sufficient evidence to show that another driver was speeding and that their speed was a factor in your recent crash, you can hold them accountable for your crash-related damages.
Can I Get Compensation For My Car Accident If I’m Accused of Speeding, Too?
You know the other driver had to be speeding. However, now they’re accusing you of the same thing. It’s important to challenge these allegations because they can affect your ability to recover compensation.
If you were also speeding, you’d be considered to share responsibility for the car accident. Under California state law, shared fault triggers a proportionate reduction in damages.
The more your negligence contributes to a car accident, the less you’ll be able to receive from a third party to offset your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.
For instance, let’s say you were clipped by another driver when they tried to overtake your lane on a busy Santa Rosa highway. However, you were speeding at the time of the crash, too. Your negligence is considered to have been a causal factor and you’re attributed 25 percent of the blame for the crash. As a result, any settlement or jury award you receive will be reduced by 25 percent.
Speeding Accident Victims in Santa Rosa Trust the Award-Winning Team at Singleton Schreiber
Speed-related car accidents are known to cause catastrophic injuries, not limited to amputations, crush injuries, severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and death. These injuries can be costly and change the course of a victim’s life forever. The driver who chose speed over safety has to be held responsible. However, you can count on their insurance company to put up a fight when you pursue compensation.
Set the stage for success by hiring an experienced Santa Rosa personal injury lawyer to handle your speeding accident case.
Choice of representation matters, which is why crash victims choose Singleton Schreiber. Our team includes award-winning civil trial attorneys with decades of experience and a billion-dollar track record of successful case results.
We’ve dedicated our careers to fighting to protect the rights of our injured clients, and we’re here to do everything in our power to make things right for you after a speed-related crash in Santa Rosa, too.
You have limited time to pursue damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit, so contact our Sonoma County law office to discuss the details of your speeding car accident case today. There’s no charge for an initial case review.
