Speed limits exist for a reason. But unfortunately, people often choose to speed anyway, whether due to hectic schedules, aggressive driving habits, or other reasons. Many drivers often don’t realize that speeding is not just illegal but could be harmful or deadly for themselves or others on the road.
If you have been injured in a Denver car accident with a speeding driver, you shouldn’t have to pay for their poor decisions. The experienced injury attorneys at Olson Law Firm, LLC, are ready to help you seek justice and fair compensation.
Contact us today to learn more in a free initial case review.
Why You Need Help from an Experienced Denver Speeding Accident Lawyer
Since 2012, Olson Law Firm, LLC, has provided effective legal representation and compassionate service to accident victims throughout the Denver area. Founding attorney Sean Olson takes pride in getting to know each client by name and playing a part in their recovery. Sean’s reputation as a respected trial attorney allows him to fight for his clients’ best interests both at the negotiating table and in the courtroom.
Sean prepares every case he takes on as though it were headed for trial, which means his clients remain one step ahead of the insurance company at all times. This intensive preparation, paired with considerable legal resources, gives Sean the edge he needs to pursue the outstanding results you deserve.
Common Injuries from Denver Speeding Accidents
Depending on how your vehicle was hit in the crash and how fast the parties were going, you may be suffering from a variety of debilitating injuries. Here are some of the most common types of injuries we see among the Denver speeding accident cases we handle:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Soft tissue strains and sprains
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Rib and torso injuries
- Bruises, scrapes, and lacerations
- Seatbelt and airbag injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
Why Speeding Accidents Cause More Severe Injuries
According to factsheets from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), speed is one of the top risk factors in all traffic accidents. There are two key intersections between driving speed and traffic safety. The first is the relationship between driving speed and crash risk, and the second is the relationship between driving speed and crash severity.
Countless studies have confirmed that driving at higher speeds increases the fundamental risk of being involved in a crash. It’s relatively easy to see how. Speeding drivers have less time to process and react to new information. Vehicles traveling at high speed also require longer braking distances, so it’s no wonder that crash risk increases in direct proportion to increases in driving speed.
High-speed crashes are also associated with more serious consequences in terms of physical injury and property damage. In general, the greater the speed of impact, the more severe the outcome. This relationship is based on pure and simple physics. At the moment of impact in a car crash, the immense kinetic energy of a speeding vehicle gets transferred directly to the other vehicle and its occupants, often resulting in devastating injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that speeding has been a factor in roughly one-third of all car accident fatalities over the past 20 years. In one recent year alone, 9,478 people reportedly died in speeding car accidents throughout the United States. This sobering statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence and seriousness of the speeding problem.
What Compensation Could I Recover for Injuries Due to a Speeding Driver?
With a successful injury claim, you could recover money for the following types of crash-related losses after a Denver speeding accident:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages from missed time at work
- Projected losses in future earning capacity
- The intangible costs of your pain and suffering
- The intangible costs of loss of quality of life
How You Can Prove a Speeding Driver Is at Fault
A Denver speeding accident attorney can help you establish a strong foundation for your injury claim with the following types of evidence:
- Police accident reports – Official accident reports can provide useful details such as any citations issued for traffic violations and the investigating officer’s opinion regarding the causes of the crash.
- Photos and videos – Photos of the accident scene can show evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and the positioning of the wreckage. When available, video from dashcams or security cameras can show exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.
- Eyewitness statements – Unbiased third parties who saw the crash can provide reliable confirmation of the facts when no videos exist.
- Expert testimony – Expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists can provide professional insights into the causes of the wreck.
What Happens If the Speeding Driver Doesn’t Get a Ticket?
A speeding ticket can serve as powerful evidence in a speeding car accident claim. But what happens if the other driver was never cited for a speeding violation?
In short, it doesn’t matter whether the other driver got a ticket. When filing a personal injury claim, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and other crash-related losses regardless of any traffic infractions. The reason is that speeding tickets are criminal penalties intended to punish wrongdoing, while accident claims are civil matters in which victims seek financial compensation for their losses and suffering.
Although criminal and civil liability frequently overlap, the most critical factor in any accident claim is how the other driver’s actions or failure to act contributed to the wreck. An experienced Denver personal injury lawyer can help you demonstrate clear evidence of the other driver’s liability, regardless of whether the other driver got a ticket.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Denver After Being injured by a Speeding Driver?
Under Colorado law, you typically have just two years to file most types of personal injury lawsuits. However, state law has a notable exception for injuries that arise from car accidents. If you have grounds to sue an at-fault driver for your injuries, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to do so. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can help you keep your case on track and demand the compensation you deserve in a timely manner.
Contact a Denver Speeding Accident Lawyer Today
In the aftermath of a Denver car accident caused by a speeding driver, you deserve quality legal representation from an attorney who cares. Look no further than Olson Law Firm, LLC. We care about the details of your case, and we seek to achieve the best possible settlement for you.
We can answer your questions and evaluate your case for free when you contact us for an initial consultation.