The Impact of Speeding on Motor Vehicle Accident Liability

Drivers have a duty to act reasonably and carefully behind the wheel. Part of this duty includes following state and federal traffic laws.  

When drivers choose to speed, they breach any duty of care owed to fellow drivers and passengers on the road. They also break the law and increase their chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

The Purpose of Speed Limits 

Speed limits are meant to promote the safe and efficient flow of traffic. Speeders disrupt this flow and force other motorists to slam on their brakes, make last second decisions to avoid a crash, or collide with the speeder.

Crashes caused by speeding in Wisconsin injured over 8,000 people and killed 163 in 2014

Legally Defining Speeding in Wisconsin

A lot of drivers go over the posted speed limit, but even one mile over the limit is illegal in Wisconsin. 

In Wisconsin, speeding is:

  1. Driving any amount over the posted speed limit; or
  2. Driving too fast for the current conditions whether those are the weather or amount of traffic. 

Drivers who are ticketed for speeding may be held liable for any accident-related injuries.

The Impact of Speeding on Accident Liability

Speeding and Liability Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accidents

Insurance companies and drivers rarely admit fault for an accident. To avoid any blame for an accident, there must be evidence that the speeder was the accident’s sole cause.

Car accident attorneys conduct investigations and collect evidence to prove their clients’ did not share fault for speeding accidents.

Evidence Used to Establish a Speeding Claim in a Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident

There are several types of evidence lawyers use to establish a speeding driver was responsible for a motor vehicle accident. 

These include but are not limited to:

  • A police accident report;
  • Eyewitness statements;
  • Electronic data recorder evidence;
  • The extent of any vehicle damage;
  • Accident scene information like skid marks;
  • Expert witness opinions;
  • Dashcam video;
  • Traffic camera footage; and
  • Store surveillance footage.

The more supportive evidence a personal injury attorney can collect, the stronger their client’s claim will be against any accident liability.

How Speeding Affects Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Value

Speeding accidents are more likely to involve intoxicating substances and other reckless driving behavior. This effectively increases a victim’s chances of serious or debilitating injury. 

Motor vehicle accident claim value depends heavily on:

  • The severity of a victim’s injuries;
  • Their prognosis for recovery;
  • Their total medical needs both current and future;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Lost income;
  • Loss of earning potential; and
  • Property damage.

Speeding is likely to exacerbate these and result in a higher claim value. However, every motor vehicle accident claim is different and needs to be evaluated by an experienced Milwaukee car accident lawyer.

Contact an Experienced Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Today

If you were involved in a speeding accident and need a legal consultation, contact the experienced legal team at Mingo & Yankala. Our award-winning attorneys offer a complimentary claim review and no-risk consultation

When you need honest answers to your motor vehicle claim questions, turn to our Milwaukee attorneys. We are peer-reviewed and client-recommended.

Wisconsin limits the time you have to file a motor vehicle claim so call Mingo & Yankala now.