Speeding Car Accident Lawyers in Arkansas
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States and Arkansas. Unfortunately, excessive speeding can be a significant factor in many of these accidents. Studies have found that speeding is involved in about 30% of all fatal crashes. Sadly, many of these accidents would not occur if drivers followed the speed limit.
If you are involved in an accident caused by a speeding driver in Arkansas, it can be difficult to get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and other damages. Insurance companies will often try to blame the victim for their own injuries, even if they are clearly not at fault.
In addition, if you were speeding at the time of an accident, it may complicate your ability to collect the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies will look to pin more blame on you if you were speeding, even if you did not cause the accident. That’s where an experienced Arkansas car accident attorney comes in.
A knowledgeable lawyer at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton can help you navigate through the legal process after a car accident and fight for the compensation you deserve. They can also help you understand your rights and options to make the best decision for your future.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s speeding, don’t wait to get help. Contact our Arkansas injury law firm today to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.
Car Accidents Caused by Excessive Speeding in Arkansas
According to the Arkansas Highway Safety Office, speeding is a major contributing factor in car accidents across the state. Speeding was a factor in nearly 30 percent of all car accidents in Arkansas in 2017. Increases from previous years reflect a national trend of increased speeding-related accidents.
There are several reasons why speeding is so dangerous.
- It increases the chance of losing control of the vehicle.
- It reduces the amount of time that a driver has to react to hazards on the road.
- It increases the severity of any collision that does occur.
While anyone can be involved in a speeding-related accident, certain people are more likely to be involved. Young drivers in Arkansas, for example, are more likely to speed than older drivers. In addition, Male drivers are more likely to speed than female drivers.
There is no single highway or road in Arkansas where most speeding accidents occur. They happen everywhere, from Fayetteville to Little Rock and every county road in between.
However, some of the biggest roads and freeways in Arkansas where you can find speeding drivers include:
- Interstate 30
- Interstate 40
- Interstate 55
- Interstate 430
- Interstate 540
In 1996, Arkansas raised the speed limit. After that increase, fatality rates on Arkansas roads increased by 9.4 percent. The number of fatal crashes peaked during 2000 in Arkansas on rural interstates where the speed limit was higher. That upward trend continued in 2015 when the trucking speed limit of 65 mph was removed.
Who is Liable in a Car Accident Caused by Speeding?
One of the most common causes of car accidents is speeding. When a driver is speeding, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident. Speed-related accidents are very serious, as the high speeds involved can result in severe injuries or even death. So, who is liable when a speeding driver causes an accident?
If a speeding driver causes a car accident, they will bear liability for the accident and the damages. You must establish that the driver’s actions caused the crash to prove liability. The best way to do this is to call the police to the scene of the accident. The police will determine who is to blame for the accident.
After you call the police, your next call should be to an attorney. An Arkansas car accident lawyer can examine your case and determine who is responsible for your accident and injuries.
However, speeding alone does not always lead to car accidents. Perhaps the speeding driver was hit by someone who ran a red light. The driver who ran the red light would have caused the accident in that scenario. However, because the other driver was speeding, they may bear some liability for the accident, per Arkansas liability laws.
Modified Comparative Fault in Arkansas
Arkansas follows a comparative fault standard, meaning if you share liability for the accident, you will only recover damages for the portion of the accident that was not your fault.
In other words, if the judge finds that you were 30 percent to blame for the accident, then you can collect 70 percent of the damages awarded in the case. This is known as a modified comparative fault or modified comparative negligence.
In Arkansas, the modified comparative fault rule only applies in cases where the injured person is less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible, you are not allowed to collect damages from any other involved party, even if they are found to be at fault as well.
Determining liability in a car accident can be complicated. If you have been involved in an accident, it is essential to speak with an experienced car accident attorney who can help you understand your legal options and protect your rights. Even if you were speeding at the time of the crash, you could still collect compensation in many cases. However, it is best to discuss your case with an experienced lawyer before proceeding.
Speeding vs. Reckless Driving
There are differences between speeding and reckless driving in Arkansas. Speeding is defined as driving at speed greater than what is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances. On the other hand, reckless driving is defined as driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others.
Both offenses can lead to accidents, but reckless driving is generally considered more serious. Sometimes, an officer can give a driver a reckless driving citation for traveling more than 20 miles over the speed limit. If a reckless driver is involved in a car accident, they may be found liable for the crash and the damages their recklessness caused.
If you are involved in an accident caused by another driver’s speeding or reckless driving, you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury claim. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and options.
How Are Speeding Drivers Caught?
One way that speeding drivers are caught is through the use of radar guns. Law enforcement officers use radar guns to detect the speed of oncoming vehicles. If a vehicle is detected as speeding, the officer can pull the driver over and issue a ticket.
Another way that speeding drivers are caught is through the use of speed cameras. Speed cameras are typically placed in areas where speeding is a problem, such as school zones or construction zones. When a vehicle is detected speeding, the camera will take a photo of the license plate, and the driver will be mailed a ticket.
Lastly, speeding drivers are also caught by aircraft. In some states, law enforcement officers will fly overhead in aircraft and use radar to detect speeding vehicles on the ground. If a car is caught speeding, the officer will radio down to a patrol car in the area, and the driver will be pulled over.
In Arkansas, officers often run campaigns to help catch speeding drivers. These campaigns involve additional patrols to target speeders and catch them before they cause a serious accident.
Types of Injuries
Several common types of injuries can occur in Arkansas accidents involving speeding, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – These injuries affect the brain and can include things like concussions, hemorrhages, swelling, or contusions. TBIs may lead to various cognitive and physical problems, ranging from memory loss to paralysis or loss of function in limbs.
- Internal organ damage – Speeding often results in collisions with other vehicles or objects such as trees or poles. This means that internal organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, and intestines can be injured by blunt force trauma during these collisions. Such organ damage is often serious and may require surgery to repair.
- Broken bones – Bones can be broken or fractured during crashes involving speeding, resulting in serious pain and immobility. In some cases, the severity of a fracture may require surgery to set the bone and allow it to heal correctly.
- Road rash and other skin injuries – Speeding often results in collisions with the road itself, whether that means colliding with asphalt, concrete, gravel, sand, or any other dangerous substance on the ground. This type of collision can lead to serious road rash or abrasions on the skin, cuts and/or lacerations that require medical attention.
As you can see, many types of injuries can occur when Arkansas drivers speed.
Contact Our Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers Today
Did you or someone you love suffer an injury in a car accident with a speeding driver in Arkansas? Were you speeding at the time of your accident? No matter which of those scenarios applies to you – we can help. Our injury lawyers will fight to make sure you get the compensation you need – and deserve.
With eight office locations in Arkansas and Tennessee – Little Rock, Little Rock – Corporate Hill, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Memphis—our trucking accident lawyers are easily accessible from the moment you are injured. Fill out a free contact request form, which only takes a minute, or simply dial (800) 434-4800 and tell us your story.
