Speeding is something almost every driver is guilty of at least once. Sometimes, it’s all but impossible to drive the speed limit. You know those places where the speed limit suddenly drops to a crawl, and you can’t figure out why. You may be running late for an appointment and driving a little faster hopefully ensures you’re going to make it on time.
However, speeding killed 9,378 people in 2018. Along with possibly causing a traffic accident, speeding can also result in a ticket. The penalties for failing to pay a Maryland speeding ticket are usually limited to fines and a possible license suspension. If this isn’t enough to get you to slow down, here’s a look at why speeding doesn’t always mean a faster arrival time.
Why Drivers Speed
Okay, some people just love to go fast. These drivers treat highways and streets like they’re on a NASCAR race course. Chances are you’ve seen this type of driver, quickly whizzing in and out of traffic with little regard for other vehicles. Just watching the action is enough to make you hang far back as you anxiously hope the speeding driver doesn’t cause an accident.
While this blatant disregard for other drivers, and the law is a common reason for speeding, it’s not the only one. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a list of the common reasons why drivers punch the gas.
Running Late
Almost everyone has overbooked themselves at one time or the other. You have too much on your plate and are constantly rushing from one location to the next. Running late in the morning is another common occurrence.
Even singles find themselves rushing out the door and running behind schedule. Just imagine when the chaos of trying to get children ready is added to the mix. This can make getting out the door on time a monumental task.
Traffic
For some inexplicable reason, it’s not uncommon for drivers to respond to heavy traffic with aggressive driving. Yes, speeding is a type of aggressive driving. Not sure what qualifies for aggressive driving? The behavior is defined as a combination of driving offenses that endangers others or their property.
Trying to make it to an appointment, work, or school on time in heavy traffic can lead to speeding, frequent lane changes, and aggressive behavior toward anyone who gets in the way. Even constantly honking the horn can be considered aggressive driving, especially when it’s combined with other behaviors.
Privacy
Do you feel like you’re in your own little world inside your vehicle? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. Sitting inside your vehicle can give you a sense of anonymity. You feel slightly detached from the outside world. You view it as an observer instead of as an active participant.
This sense of privacy can make it easier to engage in risky behaviors like speeding. After all, no one knows who you are, especially if your windows are tinted. Besides, the likelihood of seeing the other drivers you fly past is relatively slim.
Safely Dealing with Speeding Drivers
When you see or experience bad driving behavior it’s easy to lose your cool. However, this is the last thing you want to do. Becoming agitated and confronting the aggressive drive often only makes the situation worse. Instead, if you encounter a speeding vehicle here are a few tips on how to minimize your chances of being involved in an accident.
Merge carefully out of the left lane to let the speeding car safely pass. Don’t try to keep up in the slower lane. Just let the car fly on by without incident. Don’t follow behind a speeding car too closely. Yes, you may be able to go a little faster without worrying about a traffic ticket. The police are more likely to stop the lead speeding vehicle, but they’re also at a greater risk of being involved in an accident.
Sometimes, getting out of the way isn’t enough to appease a speeding driver. Their behavior can turn frighteningly aggressive. Instead, call the authorities as soon as possible. If your phone is connected to your vehicle’s infotainment system take advantage of the voice-activated capabilities. Otherwise, pull over as soon as it’s safe and report the aggressive driver.
Common Injuries in Maryland Speeding Accidents
Speeding can cause vehicle accidents on highways, freeways, rural roads, and city streets. Even if the speeding car is the only vehicle on the road, an accident can still occur.
When you’re traveling at a high rate of speed, over the posted speed limit, it’s relatively easy to lose control of the vehicle. Along with running off the road, you can hit a neighbor’s fence or even their home.
From head-on collisions to roll-over, T-bone, and read-end accidents, the injuries sustained in a collision involving a speeding driver can be severe. Some common injuries sustained in accidents involving speeding include:
- Whiplash, typically in read-end collisions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Injuries to the neck and/or back
- Pelvic and abdominal injuries
- Injuries to the arms and legs
Some car accidents like head-on collisions can also result in paralysis, disfigurement, amputation, and even death. Even a minor collision with a speeding vehicle can result in catastrophic injuries.
Seeking Compensation in a Speeding Accident Claim
If you’re severely injured in a speeding accident, you may have grounds to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Maryland is an at-fault insurance state, which means filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance provider.
However, you can’t simply call the insurance provider and request compensation. You’re going to need to prove the other driver’s high rate of speed is the direct cause of your traffic accident.
Since proving fault can be complicated, even in speeding accidents, it’s usually best to partner with a Maryland personal injury lawyer.
Let a Maryland Attorney Help You Receive Compensation for Your Speeding Accident Claim
Speeding happens every day in Maryland. This aggressive driving behavior isn’t limited to the city or rural areas. If you’ve sustained severe injuries due to a speeding driver, contact an accident attorney today. You may be eligible for compensation under Maryland law.
