Chicago Speeding Car Accident Attorneys

Speeding or driving too fast is a common cause of auto injury accidents. Not only does increased speed make it slower for a vehicle to stop, it increase the distance and makes the vehicle harder to control. When motorists choose to accelerate beyond the speed limits, they jeopardize themselves and others that share the road with them. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represents people injured in Chicago car accident cases caused by speeding drivers.

We all know that there are limitations on the speed we are allowed to drive. It is posted on every road and every highway across the U.S. These laws are put in place to ensure safe driving conditions and are readily enforced. In Illinois, the law is straightforward:

(625 ILCS 5/11-601) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-601)
    Sec. 11-601. General speed restrictions.
    (a) No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property. The fact that the speed of a vehicle does not exceed the applicable maximum speed limit does not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection, approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, or when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions. Speed must be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

According to the Illinois State Police website, 32% of fatal auto accidents are caused from excessive speed or speed related. There also seems to be a correlation between speeding and alcohol consumption. In 2002, 41% of intoxicated driving fatalities were also speed related versus only 14% of sober auto accident fatalities. On a national average, speeding is involved in more weekend and nighttime fatal motorist accidents than any other time of the day or week.

By far, the highest demographic in fatalities involving driving too fast are younger drivers, especially males. Males’ ages 15-24 years of age were speeding in over 35% of all driving fatalities in 2008. Their older counterparts at 35-44 years dropped below 25% and 45-54% drops even lower, to well below 20%. Females of all ages have much less correlation between speed and fatalities then males of the same age.

Not only does driving too fast or speeding contribute to 31% of all traffic crash fatalities– it also costs a bundle. The total economic cost back in 2000 for speed related crashes was estimated to be $230.6 billion. Imagine what that could cost each individual who is a victim of someone who was driving too fast and caused an accident.

If you have been the victim of a vehicular injury accident involving someone who was driving too fast or speeding, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we understand the law and how speeding can injure and endanger our clients in a collision caused by a speeding car. 

We will fight to get you the financial damages you are entitled to for your injuries and other losses. We invite you to contact our Chicago car accident lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your case here. There is never any obligation and we only charge a fee if we ensure a financial award for you.

Learn more about how speed impacts many of the most serious auto accidents:

• http://www.isp.state.il.us/traffic/speedlimitenf.cfm
• http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810996.pdf
• http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811166.PDF
• http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh.+11+Art.+VI&ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=111100000&SeqEnd=112600000