Speeding Accident Lawyers Richmond VA

Richmond Speeding Accident Lawyers

Experienced representation for victims and families in Virginia

Everyone knows speeding is not just against the law; it’s dangerous. Drivers who speed cannot anticipate or respond to emergencies – mentally and/or physically.

Speeding doesn’t just increase the odds of an accident happening; it increases the severity of the accident. That is why speeding often causes catastrophic injuries and fatalities. At Phelan Petty, our Richmond-based car accident lawyers understand how to prove that a speeding driver caused your injuries. For decades, our personal injury lawyers have been strong advocates for people in Virginia who were injured by a speeding driver, securing numerous million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Contact us today to get started.

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How often does speeding cause injuries and deaths?

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2021, speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities – killing more than 12,300 people nationwide.

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 24,877 speed-related crashes in Virginia in 2021. Tragically, in 2021, 441 people died in Virginia and more than 13,000 people were injured due to speeding accidents.

Speeding is a danger to the driver and the passengers in the driver’s car. Many speeding accidents involve the driver’s car colliding with an obstacle, and other accidents involve colliding with another or multiple vehicles.

Speeding is also a leading cause of pedestrian accidents and accidents with bicycle riders. The speeding driver doesn’t see the non-driver with enough time to avoid hitting that person.

How does speeding cause car, truck, and other types of vehicle accidents?

Speeding causes car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents in several ways:

  • Reduced reaction time. A speeding driver has less time to react to any traffic events or emergencies than slower drivers. Just a fraction of a second can mean the difference between striking a car or obstacle and avoiding that car or obstacle.
  • Increased stopping distance. The faster a car travels, the more distance it needs to stop. This is why many speeding drivers cause rear-end collisions. Even when the speeding driver slams on the brakes, the driver’s car will still strike the car in front.
  • Lack of control. It’s harder for a driver to maneuver or change directions when the car is going too fast.
  • Force of impact. Speed is a factor in how forceful the impact of a collision is. A car traveling 60 mph will cause more severe injuries than a car traveling 20 mph if the driver rear-ends a stopped car. It’s more likely that the windshield or windows will shatter, and that the body and/or frame of the car will be crushed or destroyed.
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What types of injuries does speeding cause?

Speed-related vehicle crashes often lead to serious injuries, such as:

Depending on the angle of the crash and/or the types of vehicles involved, drivers and passengers can be crushed by crumpling metal, or be thrown about the vehicle. Even the impact of the air bag deploying can break a nose or cheek bone. Seat belts save lives and they often reduce the severity of a person’s trauma in a speeding accident, but they may not prevent all injuries; chest and abdominal injuries can result from a body being thrown forward against a safety harness.

How do you show someone was speeding in Richmond?

At Phelan Petty, we use different methods to show the driver who struck you was speeding. Evidence that can help prove a driver was speeding includes:

  • Police reports. The police report may say the driver was speeding, and that a citation was issued. We can use this in your case.
  • Eyewitness testimony. The people in other vehicles and in the car driven by the speeding driver may be able to say how fast the driver was compared to other vehicles on the road. So, too, could local law enforcement if they were on the scene at the time.
  • Video footage. We will investigate whether any businesses or residences near the accident site have video footage of the accident. We may also request camera footage from any cell phones in use at the time, including that of both drivers, any passengers, and any witnesses who made recordings on their phone.
  • Phone data. Some drivers have apps on their phones that record their speed because their insurance companies give them a “safe driver” discount. Speed can also be recorded by GPS programs. We will review this phone data to see if it saved the speed the driver was traveling at the time of the crash.
  • The damage to the vehicles and scene. The location of the damage to the vehicles and the severity of the damage are strong indicators of the speed of the drivers involved in the accident. So, too, are tire tracks (if applicable).

We also formally question the driver, any other defendants, and any eyewitnesses during the claims process. We may also work with traffic reconstruction experts who are skilled at showing how fast a driver was traveling.

What damages can I receive if a speeding driver in Richmond causes my accident?

The value of your speeding accident case depends on a variety of factors including the medical reports or testimony of your doctors, documentation of your medical expenses, lost wages, showing just how much pain you’re in, how your life has changed for the worse due to the accident, and other factors.

At Phelan Petty, we demand compensation for your current and future losses, including:

  • Medical expenses including hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, rehabilitation care, medications, and assistive devices
  • Lost income including permanent disability income
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
    Scarring and disfigurement
  • Property damage
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Other applicable financial and personal damages

If your loved one’s injuries are fatal, we can seek additional damages for funeral and burial costs.

Are there time limits for filing a speeding accident claim in Virginia?

Virginia requires that all personal injury claims be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Much shorter timelines apply if you file a claim against a state entity or agency. We recommend that accident victims and families contact us as soon as possible. Early examination of the accident site, early conversations with witnesses, and an early review of your medical condition do strengthen your claim.

Do you have a speeding accident lawyer near me?

Phelan Petty’s law office is located at 3315 West Broad Street in Richmond. We’re near several state courthouses. We handle car, truck, motorcycle, Uber, and Lyft accidents caused by speeding. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

If you are too ill or injured to come to our office, we will make home and hospital visits. We can also schedule a phone or video consultation. Many injury lawyers in Virginia and across the country refer cases to us or work with us as local counsel.

We are your advocates against insurance companies and defense lawyers.

Talk with our respected Richmond speeding accident lawyers today

At Phelan Petty, our Richmond-based car accident lawyers have earned the respect of former clients, insurance adjusters, and the legal community for our tenacity, thorough preparation, and ability to present personal injury cases to juries. Let us help you obtain the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Call us today or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent personal injury victims across Virginia.