Speeding Car Accidents + Top Cars for Safety
All auto accident lawyers know that speeding is a leading cause of car accidents. While on both the highway and driving around town, you see people exceeding the speed limit. The problem is that a speeding car has less time to react. 3,074 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2014 in California.* Thankfully, not all car crashes are fatal, but many cause temporary or lifelong problems for the victims. While there are many causes of crashes, speeding is one that is entirely avoidable. A motor accident lawyer can help you determine if you have a case against a negligent driver. Because speeding is negligence, here’s how to prove speeding as the cause of the accident:
- Police reports – If there is a police report, the police officer or investigator will make a determination of cause. They may observe the length of skid marks and also note if traffic tickets/citations were issued. (More skid marks may indicate speeding.)
- Witness reports – In an accident situation, do your best to get the name and contact information of available witnesses. Your auto accident lawyer may need to talk with them about the accident in addition to using the police report.
- Vehicle damage – The type of damage to the vehicle may indicate speeding. For example, cars that are totaled on a city street with a 30 mph speed limit would probably only be a total loss if speeding was a factor. Motor accident lawyers frequently call on expert witnesses to assess the damage and provide testimony about speeding as a cause of the accident. Make sure to take photos at the scene of the accident for possible use in a settlement or trial.
How to prevent a speeding accident
Ever heard of the 3-second rule? It’s a handy tip to know if you’re driving at a safe distance from the driver in front of you. Without taking your eyes off the road:
- Use your peripheral vision to pick a sign or pole on the side of the road.
- Count 3 seconds when you see the car in front of you pass the sign/pole.
- You should finish counting before the front of your vehicle reaches the marker. If not, slow down!
We all hate to see people get hurt. So, Bakersfield drivers, be careful!
2016 Top Safety Picks
Another important issue in accidents relates to the type of car. Every year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs vehicle tests to determine crash-worthiness for different size classes of cars. They determine Top Safety Picks and Top Safety Picks+ (the ‘+’ is an added safety for front crash prevention). Here are just a few of the 2016 vehicle model winners:
Large pickups
2016 Ford F-150 Crew cab
2016 Ford F-150 Extended cab
Small SUVs
2016 BMW X1
2016 Buick Encore
Midsize cars
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
2017 Ford Fusion
Minivans
2016 Honda Odyssey
2016 Kia Sedona
Small cars
2016 Acura ILX
2016 Chevrolet Sonic
For a full list of the 2016 and previous year winners, see the IIHS Website.
Finally, please contact our office, Law Offices of Kyle Jones Attorney at Law, if we can answer questions about auto accidents and liability.
