Michigan motorists often must deal with fast and reckless traffic on roads, highways, and interstates. Some of these drivers compensate by trying to keep up with the pace of traffic, which results in excessive speeding. A common misconception is that texting behind the wheel or driving while intoxicated are the riskiest forms of driving. However, speeding is an often overlooked wrongdoing that creates massive safety threats for everyone on the road.
Remember that you have rights after a car accident that was caused by another driver’s excessive speeding and that you have up to three years to file a Michigan personal injury claim against another party. The key to receiving financial compensation is to hire an expert Michigan auto accident attorney.
Speed Limits Help with Road Safety in Michigan
There are hazards all over the road, and state and city lawmakers recognize these dangers by putting speed limits in place. When following the set speed limit, you’re reducing your chance of potentially hazardous factors, such as:
- Twists and curves
- Steep hills that limit visibility
- Traffic signals
- Narrow lanes
- Increase in traffic
Keep in mind that speed limits are meant to apply in optimal driving conditions. With this in mind, if weather conditions aren’t ideal, you should decrease your speed to stay safe.
Why Is Speeding So Dangerous?
Excessive speeding is dangerous because it increases both the risk and severity of an accident. At higher speeds, drivers need more time to identify hazards that could lead to an accident, which means that they also need more time to react to those dangers. The response will depend on the threat, but common reactions include slowing down, veering away, or coming to a stop. Excessive speeding can severely limit a driver’s ability to make these decisions quickly.
It also takes speeding vehicles more time to slow down or come to a stop, meaning that a driver may not have enough time to avoid a collision. Speeding increases the risk of rollover accidents, especially for trucks and SUVs. If a high-speed accident does occur, the crash severity is likely to be higher, resulting in more severe injuries or death than a low-speed collision.
How to Deal with Speeding Drivers
If you’re driving and notice another vehicle quickly approaching you, there are a few guidelines you should take to avoid a collision. Follow these steps to increase your road safety:
- Let tailgaters pass
- Don’t intentionally aggravate or attempt to communicate with speeding drivers
- Give speeding drivers more space in case any hazards are coming up
When it’s safe to do so, you should pull off at the next exit and report the driver to local authorities.
Michigan Speeding Statistics
According to a 2018 report, over 31,000 of all reported Michigan car accidents resulted from speeding. What’s even more surprising is that more than 70 percent of speeding accidents were single-vehicle crashes. When you speed, you’re putting yourself at risk the most. No matter how empty the road may be, your chances of losing vehicle control increase.
Trust an Experienced Michigan Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been involved in a car accident because of a speeding driver, you need the help of a trusted attorney as soon as possible. A knowledgeable Michigan auto accident attorney will fight for you to win financial compensation for medical bills and property damage.
The Michigan Legal Center has been a trusted source of legal representation for years. We specialize in representing car accident victims and consider it a privilege to represent Michigan residents. Our team is here to answer any legal questions you may have and offer advice on the necessary steps to obtaining compensation. Call 1 (800) 961-8447 or complete a contact form to schedule your free consultation.