Getting What Is Rightfully Yours

You Were Speeding And Caused An Accident: Is A Defense Possible?

29 October 2018 by Penny Fisher

Driving very fast can seem exciting when you are doing it but instantly becomes a problem if you cause an accident. These accidents are particularly troubling if you hurt anybody through your actions. In fact, you might end up getting sued if you don't defend yourself properly.

Speeding Is One Of The Most Common Causes Of Accidents

Statistics state that nearly 30 percent of all car accidents are caused by speeding. People who drive too fast don't take into account how hard it will be to react to changes in driving conditions quickly enough to avoid an accident. They may also misunderstand how long it takes to slow a car down that is driving very fast.

Even if you weren't going that fast – say, 35 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone – your driving is dangerous because that posted limit was put up for a reason. For example, curves in a row may make it harder for you to see oncoming traffic. That's one reason why speeding is so commonly the cause of accidents and why speeding drivers are often considered liable in these cases.

Speeding Drivers Are Usually Liable In Accidents

Car accident liability falls on the person who caused the accident to occur in the first place. And in most cases, speeding is likely to trigger an accident. For example, if you were driving too fast around a corner and had no time to react to a stalled vehicle parked in the road, you are going to be liable for the injuries and damages you cause. However, there are defenses possible in these types of cases.

Defenses In This Type Of Case

There might not seem like there would be many defenses in a speeding accident lawsuit. However, there is one defense that may be particularly useful – comparative negligence. This defense method argues that your negligent actions were less responsible for the crash than those of the person you hit.

For example, if the other driver was drunk and swerved into your lane while you were speeding, their actions were more negligent than yours. Likewise, if the person injured was driving faster than you or in a more erratic manner, you may be able to win this type of lawsuit.

So if you are getting sued after causing an accident, don't neglect to talk to an auto accident attorney right away. These professionals will find a way to create a defense that increases your chances of winning or at least minimizes the money you have to pay.

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