A motor vehicle accident can change the course of your life in an instant. It is difficult to accurately predict how your life will change in the months after the event, and you may be initially unaware of the true impact of your injuries at the time. As you navigate the aftermath of this type of event, you may wonder how you can pick up the pieces and move forward, especially if you believe you have grounds for a civil claim against the responsible party.
If you believe that another person or party is responsible for the accident that left you injured, you will benefit from learning as much as possible about the accident itself. It is important to be able to point out the cause for the accident, which may have been speeding. Speed is often a critical factor in many Minnesota accidents, and it can also increase the severity of a crash.
The effects of driving too fast
Most people have gotten behind the wheel at some point while driving too fast. It is a natural tendency to want to drive over the speed limit in order to reach a destination faster. There is a misconception that speeding can help, but in reality, it simply increases the chance of a crash and makes it more likely that vehicle occupants will suffer severe injuries. Some of the ways that speed can affect car accidents include the following:
- Speed makes it more difficult to maneuver around curves, take turns and adjust to hazards.
- If speed is the cause of an accident, it will make it more likely that any injuries suffered will be severe.
- Speeding can diminish a driver’s reaction time and make it less likely he or she can react properly to a hazard.
- The faster a vehicle is speeding, the greater the likelihood that a rollover crash will occur.
- Stopping distance increases when a vehicle is going over the speed limit.
If you are the victim of an accident caused by a driver that was speeding, you could have grounds to seek recompense through a civil claim. These cases are time-sensitive, and you will benefit from taking immediate action to learn about the legal options available to you. An assessment of your accident can help you understand how speed played a role in your crash and the next steps you need to take.