Speed may have been a factor in a Eugene car crash on I-5 this morning, officials said. A 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse heading southbound on I-5 left the right shoulder, hit a guardrail, crossed the center median, and then hit a southbound Toyota, which then hit a third vehicle. Fortunately, local media reports on the motor vehicle collision described injuries as non-life-threatening.
Speeding-related traffic crashes claim over 13,000 lives annually according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”). Driving too fast contributes to about 30 percent of all fatal car accidents, and the reasons speeding is such a dangerous practice are simple:
- Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around road obstacles
- Speeding extends the distance traveled before a vehicle can stop
- Speeding increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a hazard
- Speeding increases the risk of crashes and serious personal injury because other vehicles and pedestrians may not be able to judge distance correctly.
Unfortunately, many drivers in an NHTSA survey felt that it was “safe” to speed in certain situations, such as in areas where children, playgrounds, or schools were not located. “Running late” was cited as the reason for speeding by nearly half of drivers surveyed, with trying to keep up with traffic, good road conditions, or an emergency next.
Driving above the speed limit makes a driver more likely to take risks and make unsafe lane changes, both of which may cause automobile accidents. The personal injury that follows a motor vehicle collision at speed is likely to be serious. A car driven at high speed has a greater force at impact, and significant amounts of that force transfer to vehicle occupants. Many times, passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians are seriously injured or killed by a speeder’s negligence.
After a serious car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck collision, it is essential to protect your rights. Oregon injury lawyer Dane Johnson offers a free consultation to discuss the legal aspects of a car crash and evaluate your potential case.
We accept motor vehicle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Call an attorney directly at (503) 975-8298, call the Law Office of Dane E. Johnson toll free at (800) 975-8298, or contact us online.
Related Web Resources
Barbara Harsha & James Hedlund, Changing America’s Culture of Speed on the Roads, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
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