I. Introduction
Exceeding the speed limit is not a trifling violation rather endangers the drivers, the passengers, and even the pedestrians. It is fundamental for the drivers, and also legal practitioners to know the hazards pertaining to speeding. This write up seeks to explain in great detail, with the support of current statistics and how the medical record reviews help lawyers in personal injury cases, why speeding can be harmful by providing a list of ten reasons why it should be avoided.
II. The Dangers of Speeding
Alteration of vehicle control
With an increase in the speed of a vehicle there is a greater chance of a person losing control of the said vehicle. If a car is moving at a high speed then even a slight turn of the steering wheel can cause an over or under steer which will increase the probability for the car to crash. This risk is even worse if it is during a winding stretch or during bad weather conditions.
Elevate of impact force
The vehicular speed and collision impact force are interlinked. Take the example of a car moving at a speed of 70 mph, the amount of damage that will be caused will exceed that of a car moving at 30 mph. As this force increases the risk of the passengers, pedestrians or the driver is severely harmed.
Reduced Effectiveness of Safety Features
It is common to see modern vehicles equipped with safety features that are intended to protect the vehicle occupants during a crash. These include airbags and seatbelts; however, these tools become ineffective at high speeds. Rather, their effectiveness in helping withstand injuries is bound to decrease due to high impact pressure.
Longer Stopping Distances
Driving at excessive speeds has a direct impact on the stoppage distance of a vehicle. For instance, a vehicle moving at 60 mph is bound to require a far longer distance to come to a stop in comparison to one being driven at 30 mph. Once again, this increased stopping distance is detrimental for avoiding accidents especially when it is an emergency situation.
Compounded Weather Hazards
Painting sets of extreme weather conditions such as rain or snow at high speeds can add to the already dire consequences associated with over speeding. Limited visibility along with less friction increases the odds of the vehicle skidding or the driver losing control of it, this certainly adds to the risks of driving at rapid speeds.
Impaired Reaction Times
Over speeding cuts short the time drivers normally would have between spotting an essential object, such as pedestrians trying to cross the road or other vehicles cutting in front of them, and reacting to that object. These scenarios usually lead to accidents which could have been avoided by driving at a snail’s pace.
Chain Reaction Collisions
Increased speed while driving increases the risk of chain reaction collisions, that is, one collision can lead to more than one collision. This is especially evident in situations of great congestion or on highways where other vehicles going noticeably different speeds may severely increase the chances of a multi-car collision.
Higher Risk of Fatalities
Statistically it is evident that speeding is one of the main factors that lead to lethal motor vehicle crashes. The NHTSA approximated that speeding contributed to around 30% of fatal crashes in the past years. With speed come greater risks for all parties engaging in the activity.
Threats to Other Drivers
Whilst speeding puts the driver at risk, it is even more crippling to other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. A side effect of speed limits being ignored is the increased potential to collide with the aforementioned people leading to greater chance of injuries or deaths.
Increased Risk to Pedestrians
People on foot are the ones most at risk from speeding cars. The possibility of a people on foot dying in car accidents escalates as the speed of the vehicle increases. It is roughly around 5% at 20 mph but increases to 85% at 40 mph.
III. The Role of Medical Record Reviews
What is a Medical Record Review?
A medical record review entails the process of going through a patient’s medical history and notes as well as information about the treatment rendered to him or her. This process is integral to a personal injury claim since it provides the necessary documentation in support of the damage claim.
How Medical Records Support Legal Claims
Medical records can substantiate claims by:
- Recording Injuries: Giving an accurate history of injuries sustained during the accident.
- Proving that Treatment was needed: Proving that medical treatment and continued care was warranted.
- Substantiating Claims on Future Medical Care: Giving a rationale for the long term care that may be needed.
IV. Case Studies
Case Study 1
Overview: This case involves a client who sustained injuries in a motor vehicle collision due to an overly speeding driver who underwent a red light.
Challenges: The defendant (the driver) alleged that the traffic signal was out of order, thus making the case intricate.
Solutions: Medical record review was done to great detail, and the attorney of the client showed the severity of the injuries suffered, and how the injury sustained required treatment, thus disputing the Defendants claims.
Case Study 2
Overview: This case involves a driver who sustained severe injuries when he was rear ended by a speeding car.
Challenges: Initially, the insurance company disputed the gravity of the injuries and alleged that the same was not commensurate to the force of the collision.
Solutions: The attorney made sure to call in good medical experts and data to rule in the long-standing consequences along with the necessity of continued medical treatment following the injuries sustained in the accident. The counsel was also able to explain the cause of the injuries due to the accident.
V. Conclusion
One of the major threats on our roads that cause millions of accidents and deaths every year is the lifestyles involving excessive speeding and the reckless disregard for the speed limit. It is highly important that drivers and lawyers appreciate the following potential hazards of speeding. Furthermore, speed as a legal concept can be problematic since its legal implications must also be taken to account during medical record review, which is necessary when advocating for the client. Likewise, in light of the changing nature of traffic laws, it is also important to be aware of the risks of speeding in traffic and the legal measures for doing so to ensure proper representation.