All you need to Know About Speeding Car Accident Attorneys

Speeding exposes everyone on the road to danger and accidents, including other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Excessive speeding is responsible for about 10,000 deaths in the United States each year. We all know how frustrating it is to balance a busy schedule in today’s world, but speed limits are in place to safeguard all road users, and should not be exceeded, regardless of the situation.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident due to the excessive speeding of another driver, you may be owed compensation for your injuries. Our goal at the law offices of Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling is to create a strong client relationship in order to get a positive result and justice for each client. The Iowa speeding car accident lawyers at MSMC are ready to handle your claim. Contact us for a free consultation.

Why Personal Injury Attorney for a Speeding Car Accident Claim?

Hiring an attorney is an important step in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to after sustaining injuries in a car accident. After a motor vehicle accident, a personal injury attorney can assist you in demonstrating culpability and defending your claim against insurance companies.

You will need a personal injury lawyer who has handled situations similar to yours and has experience with a variety of personal injury cases. Speeding accidents are one type of auto accident that lawyers specialize in at a personal injury law firm. Experienced Iowa automobile accident lawyers understand the ins and outs of your situation. They know how to handle your case, and get you the medical attention you require, and the compensation you deserve.

It is in your best interest to contact an automobile accident attorney as soon as possible after a speeding car accident so they can start gathering evidence, file your claim before the statute of limitations expires, handle the insurance companies and insurance adjusters, and obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

What do you Understand by a Speeding Car Accident: An Overview

If the driver was charged with a speeding-related offence, like racing, driving too fast for the conditions, or exceeding the posted speed limit, the crash is considered speeding-related or a speeding car accident. Fortunately, the number of people killed or injured as a result of speeding has been continuously declining. However, excessive speeding is still an issue across the U.S., especially in Iowa, where the terrain is generally flat.

Speeding is a major cause of road fatalities and injuries. Excessive speeding reduces the amount of time a driver has to react in a risky or dangerous situation in order to prevent a collision, increases vehicle stopping distance, and reduces the effect of road safety measures to protect car occupants in the event of a collision.

Types of Collisions You Will See in Speeding Car Accidents

The most common type of speeding accident is a rear-end collision because the speeding driver does not have enough time to properly stop before causing an auto accident. Moreover, pileups are a very common result of excessive speeding. If you have multiple drivers speeding on an interstate, it is likely that none of them will have the proper time to stop if a collision occurs ahead of them. It is always important to follow all posted road signs for maximum and minimum speeds.

Sideswipe accidents and T-bone accidents are other common examples of car accidents resulting from excessive speed. If a person is speeding, they may try to beat a red light or speed through a stop sign. In the process of doing this, they may be unaware of other drivers around them and crash into the side of another car. You should always be cautious when travelling through an intersection and be wary of speeding drivers. Some accidents are avoidable, but when a speeding driver is involved, reaction times are diminished and motor vehicle crashes become inevitable.

What Are The Iowa Speed Violation Laws – Important Notes

Iowa’s speeding law requires drivers to operate their vehicles at a “careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other conditions then existing.” Additionally, drivers must reduce their speed as the law requires when approaching crossings, curves, a hillcrest, or when other road or weather circumstances justify it.

The fastest speed limit posted in the state of Iowa is 70 miles per hour. Therefore, no driver should ever exceed 70 miles per hour when travelling in Iowa. Generally, the speed limit will be even lower than this, and the most commonly used speed limit across the state is 55 mph.

Speeding is generally a misdemeanour in Iowa, barring any extenuating circumstances. Depending on the speed reached, the violation and penalty can change. For example:

• Missed Deadline: It can be a problem if you don’t report your injuries right away. If you are injured on the job or notice that you have developed a work-related sickness or condition, you must immediately contact your supervisor. In Iowa, you have 90 days to notify your employer of a workers’ compensation claim. Failure to do so may jeopardize your eligibility for assistance and/or benefits.
• Speeding of 5mph above or below the posted speed limit will result in a $20 fine.
• Speeding in excess of 5mph over the posted speed but no greater than 10 mph over will result in a $40 fine.
• Speeding between 10-15mph over the posted speed limit will result in a fine of $80.
• Speeding 15mph over the posted speed to no more than 20mph of the posted speed limit will result in a $90 fine.
• Speed in excess of 20mph over the posted speed limited will result in a $100 fine plus $5 for every mile per hour over 20 mph
• Speeding in a school zone will automatically result in a $100 fine

When a speeding driver causes an accident where injuries are sustained, it is likely they will face a reckless driving charge.

Some of The Common Injuries in a Speeding Car Accident Case

As with many car accidents, whiplash is the most common diagnosis after being involved in a car accident with a speeding driver. Various types of injuries can occur after a car accident. The most common injuries reported after a speeding car accident include:

• Neck injuries
• Head injuries
• Brain injuries such as concussions
• Back injuries
• Burns from the seat belt or airbag
• Lacerations from broken glass
• Broken bones
• Other serious injuries

Sustaining any type of injury is always stressful, especially after an accident that was not your fault. The liable party should always be held responsible for your injuries after an automobile accident. It is imperative that you seek medical attention after a car crash, whether or not you believe you have injuries. Some injuries after a car accident can take 3 or more days to present, especially deep bruising, neck injuries, and internal bleeding.

You will be able to seek damages for the injuries sustained and receive compensation for related medical bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and possibly noneconomic damages like pain and suffering.

What Is Needed to Prove Liability in a Speeding Car Accident?

When it comes to demonstrating that speed played a role in an accident, you should look at these three basic ways: witnesses, reports, and physical evidence, some of these are more evident than others. However, since speeding is a crime, you should pursue all options because the person who caused your losses is usually held culpable.

Witnesses: If there were witnesses to the accident, they may be able to attest to the fact that speed was a factor. It may be difficult for the common individual to judge speed. If you were driving through an intersection and another automobile flew through it, most witnesses will be able to tell if one of the drivers was speeding. Furthermore, witness testimony does not have to be limited to individuals who were there at the time of the accident and can provide an account of what occurred. Expert witnesses can also be helpful to prove your case.

Police Reports: While police may not always arrive at the site of every collision, making sure they do and filing a report can be quite beneficial. When it comes to proving fault in many accidents, the police report can make all the difference. The report will not only give their view on how the accident occurred, but it will also describe the accident scene. If necessary, the officer will also gather witness information and contact information. Most importantly, it will state whether or not any citations were issued at the accident scene. Having evidence that the other driver was issued a speeding ticket is sufficient to establish that speed was a factor, and therefore show liability.

Evidence: The scene of the accident can often be used to prove speeding was a factor. To establish that one party was speeding, all it takes is the right specialist to examine the accident images or the scene itself. This is why it’s important to properly capture an accident scene so that it can be thoroughly investigated afterward. Your safety should always be the top priority, but once you ensure your safety and health, you should take as many pictures as you can before leaving the scene and before the vehicles are moved.

Some Eye-Opening Speeding Car Accident Statistics In Iowa

There were 337 car accident fatalities in 2020, compared to 336 in 2019, 319 in 2018, 331 in 2017, and 402 in 2016 in the state of Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Excessive speeding remains a serious road safety concern across the U.S and throughout Iowa.

Citations for exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 mph are up 36% over the five-year average, with 1,434 drivers cited in 2020 and 1,326 in 2021, according to Iowa law enforcement data. Drivers charged for exceeding 100 mph are also increasing at an alarming rate, with a 32 per cent increase over the five-year norm.

Contact Des Moines Personal Injury Attorneys at MSMC Law Firm

If you or a loved one has been in a car accident due to a speeding driver, contact the des moines car accident lawyer at the law offices of Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling today to discuss your case. If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you may have a wrongful death claim.

We can provide you with proper legal advice through a free initial consultation or free initial case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. You can reach us online or by phone at (515) 444-4000 Our offices are located in Des Moines, IA

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