Were you injured in a crash with a vehicle that was going too fast in Maryland? Proving that the other driver was speeding or driving too fast for the road or weather conditions may be critical to recovering compensation through an auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
In Maryland, another driver can be liable for an accident even if they were going the speed limit at the time of the crash. They could even be cited for both speeding and driving too fast for conditions, as they are separate traffic violations under state law. An experienced car accident lawyer can explain the distinction and how it could affect your personal injury claim.
What Is Speeding?
Speeding is the act of driving above the posted speed limit. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is a contributing factor to 29 percent of fatal car crashes each year and over 300,500 injuries.
Higher rates of speed lead to:
- Less time for drivers to respond to hazards
- More distance required for vehicles to come to a complete stop
- Increased chances of drivers losing control of their vehicles
- More severe injuries
What Does Driving Too Fast for Conditions Mean?
Driving too fast for conditions means a driverās speed is dangerous due to current weather, road, or traffic conditions. Drivers should slow to a reasonable and prudent speed to account for poor visibility, slippery roads, nearby pedestrians, and other slowed vehicles.
Key Differences Between Speeding and Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Speeding and driving too fast for conditions are similar because both increase the chances of an auto accident. However, there are also significant differences. For example, a motorist can drive too fast for conditions even if they follow the posted speed limit.
In addition, speeding is objective because there are posted speed limits. Driving too fast for conditions is a subjective determination based on someone elseās judgment.
Safety Tips to Avoid Car Accidents Caused by Speeding
While you canāt do anything about the behaviors of other drivers on the road, you can mitigate the risks of getting in a speed-related car accident by following these safety tips:
- Maintain a safe following distance to prevent rear-end collisions.
- Obey the posted speed limits.
- Adjust your driving to account for adverse weather and road conditions.
- Do not attempt to keep up with speeding vehicles.
How a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
A Maryland car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries by:
- Investigating the accident to identify all liable parties
- Collecting evidence to show how speed and/or driving too fast for conditions contributed to the crash
- Calculating your damages
- Filing your auto insurance claim or injury lawsuit
- Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Representing you at trial if settlement talks fail
Contact Our Maryland Car Accident Attorneys
If you were in a speed-related car accident in Maryland, contact Trollinger Law LLC for a free consultation with one of our skilled personal injury lawyers. Weāll review the details of the accident and explain your legal options to pursue compensation.
