As the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia reports, speeding serves as a leading cause of car accidents in Atlanta and throughout Georgia, often leading to serious injuries and deaths. For victims of speeding accidents, the consequences can lead to mounting medical bills, lost income, and lasting physical and emotional challenges.
At Bayuk Pratt, when we seek compensation for auto accident victims, we leverage more than 50 years of combined legal experience and a history of recovering more than $300 million for our clients. Our car accident lawyers can help if a speeding driver injured you. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and options in a free consultation about your case.
Why Is Speeding in Atlanta So Dangerous?
Speeding puts everyone on the road at risk by cutting down reaction time, increasing stopping distance, and making crashes more severe. The danger is more significant in busy cities like Atlanta, with constant traffic and construction. When a high rate of speed causes a crash, safety features like airbags and seatbelts can be less effective. Without any structural protection, pedestrians and cyclists can face catastrophic injuries if a speeding driver hits them.
What Reasons Might a Driver Have for Speeding?
No excuse justifies endangering lives. Unfortunately, for many reasons, drivers speed in Atlanta because they are:
- Impatient — Drivers tend to exceed the speed limit when hurrying to work, school, meetings, or other important activities.
- Frustrated — Atlanta’s heavy traffic can be challenging to navigate. Frustration with traffic sometimes leads to behavior like tailgating, cutting across lanes without signaling, running red lights, or speeding on the shoulder, which can endanger others on the road.
- Overconfidence — Some drivers believe speeding is safe if they know the roads. So, they may drive too fast when going through curves or ignore the effects of poor lighting or bad weather conditions.
- Reckless — Speeding often occurs with other risky driving behaviors, such as abrupt lane changes without signaling or tailgating.
- Unfamiliar — Drivers visiting Atlanta or drivers unfamiliar with the area may inadvertently exceed speed limits on certain roads.
Regardless of the reason, speeding remains a dangerous and negligent act that puts lives at risk.
What Are Some Common Injuries in an Atlanta Speeding Accident?
Due to the increased force of impact that speeding creates, the injuries that people in Atlanta suffer in these crashes can be severe. Common injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) — This serious injury occurs when the head hits a hard surface, or the brain shifts suddenly during a crash.
- Spinal cord — This injury may occur from the impact or twisting and turning during a crash. It can lead to paralysis or chronic pain.
- Broken bones — Fractures are common in accidents when speed is a factor. They often require surgery and a lengthy recovery.
- Internal injury — The impact of a crash can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs that need immediate medical attention.
- Severe cuts and burns — Severe skin injuries can result from cuts and burns caused by shattered glass, metal, or vehicle fires.
In most cases, speeding accident injuries require ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Victims of these traffic accidents can face expensive medical bills and significant lost wages. They significantly affect a victim’s quality of life and burden family members. As you pursue compensation, it will be crucial for you to thoroughly document your medical treatment, lost wages, and all related losses.
How Do You Prove the Driver’s Speeding Caused the Accident?
Proving that a driver’s unreasonable speed caused a crash requires an investigation and gathering compelling evidence that your attorney can use to prove fault, which may include the following:
- Police reports — The law enforcement officer that responds to the accident scene whether speeding contributed to the accident.
- Accident reconstruction — Professionals can analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and other evidence to determine how speed influenced the crash.
- Traffic camera footage — Videos from nearby cameras can provide visual proof of a driver’s speed.
- Eyewitness testimony — Statements from those who saw the accident can corroborate speeding claims.
At Bayuk Pratt, we collaborate with accident reconstruction experts and investigators to build a strong case for our clients. By thoroughly examining all available evidence, we can determine whether speeding directly led to your auto accident and the injuries you suffered.
Can I Receive Damages from the Driver Who Caused the Speeding Accident?
Victims of speeding accidents in Atlanta may be eligible to seek compensation that includes:
- Medical expenses — Covering emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments.
- Lost income — Reimbursing lost wages due to time off work or diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering — Addressing physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Property damage — Repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged property.
At Bayuk Pratt, we pursue maximum compensation for our clients. While no amount of money can undo the harm caused by a speeding accident, a financial recovery can provide the stability and support you need to move forward.
What Happens If I Was Speeding But Did Not Cause the Accident?
In Georgia, you can recover compensation even if you are partially at fault for an accident, as long as your fault is less than 50 percent. This modified comparative fault rule means that you may still be eligible for compensation if another driver is primarily at fault. However, your financial recovery will reflect your degree of fault.
An experienced car accident attorney at Bayuk Pratt can evaluate your case, help you navigate the complexities of comparative fault laws, and protect your rights when dealing with the other driver’s insurance company.
What If the Speeding Driver Who Caused the Accident Does Not Have Insurance?
Uninsured drivers can complicate the claims process. However, even if the speeding driver that injured you lacks auto insurance, you may have options available to you for seeking fair compensation that include:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage — If you have UM coverage as part of your insurance policy, it can compensate you for injuries and losses caused by an uninsured driver in a car crash.
- Personal injury lawsuits — You may pursue a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation through their assets.
At Bayuk Pratt, we have extensive experience handling claims involving uninsured drivers. We can help you explore all your options.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Speeding Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia law imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Generally, you have two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can result in losing your right to compensation. So, it is paramount for you to act quickly.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek justice for your injuries. At Bayuk Pratt, you can count on working with an experienced car accident lawyer well-versed in Georgia’s legal deadlines. Your car accident attorney can ensure your claim gets filed on time.
Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a speeding accident, you need experienced legal representation. Our skilled personal injury trial lawyers have extensive experience against powerful insurance companies and have recovered more than $300 million for clients.
Contact us online today or call our office to discuss your speeding car accident case and learn how an experienced attorney can help you pursue fair compensation for your losses. With Bayuk Pratt on your side, you’re not just hiring a law firm — you are gaining a trusted advocate who will be fully dedicated to your recovery.