Speeding

Speeding Accidents

For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. When drivers exceed posted speed limits or travel too fast for road conditions, they dramatically increase both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of resulting injuries. Speeding-related accidents are among the deadliest crashes on Louisiana roads, leaving victims with catastrophic injuries and families devastated by preventable deaths.

At Smiley Injury Law, our New Orleans car accident lawyers represent victims of speeding accidents throughout Louisiana. We investigate crashes thoroughly, gather evidence proving the at-fault driver exceeded safe speeds, and pursue maximum compensation for the serious injuries these preventable accidents cause.

The Dangers of Speeding

Speeding killed 11,775 people in 2023, representing 29% of all traffic fatalities, while an estimated 332,598 people were injured in speeding-related crashes—making excessive speed one of the deadliest driver behaviors on American roads because it reduces reaction time, increases stopping distance, magnifies crash forces, and decreases vehicle control. Speed limits are established based on road design, traffic patterns, and safety considerations, and drivers who exceed these limits demonstrate clear negligence that makes them liable for resulting accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasizes that speeding endangers not only the speeder but everyone on the road around them, including passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Speeding Statistics

Understanding the scope of speeding-related crashes illustrates why these accidents warrant serious legal action against negligent drivers.

National Speeding Statistics

According to NHTSA data:

• 11,775 people were killed in speeding-related crashes in 2023
• 29% of all traffic fatalities involved speeding
• 332,598 people were injured in speeding-related crashes in 2023—an 11% increase from the previous year
• Speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities for more than two decades

The correlation between speeding and alcohol impairment is significant. Among speeding drivers in fatal crashes aged 25-34, 44% were alcohol-impaired. Drivers who speed are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors.

Louisiana Speeding Statistics

Speeding is a major factor in Louisiana crashes:

• Nearly one-third of all crash deaths in Louisiana result directly from exceeding speed limits
• Louisiana’s relatively flat, straight highways may encourage speeding, but speed limits remain posted for everyone’s safety
• Urban areas like New Orleans see frequent speeding despite congested conditions
• Interstate highways including I-10 experience regular speeding-related crashes

Types of Speeding

Speeding encompasses several dangerous behaviors, all of which constitute negligence when they cause accidents.

Exceeding Posted Speed Limits

Posted speed limits represent the maximum safe speed under ideal conditions. Drivers who exceed these limits:

• Violate traffic laws
• Demonstrate clear negligence
• Face traffic citations and fines
• May face criminal charges if speeding causes serious injury or death

Speed limit violations provide straightforward evidence of negligence in accident claims.

Driving Too Fast for Conditions

Even when driving at or below posted limits, drivers must adjust speed for:

• Weather conditions – Rain, fog, ice, or flooding require reduced speeds
• Road conditions – Construction zones, damaged pavement, or curves
• Traffic conditions – Congestion, heavy traffic, or stopped vehicles
• Visibility – Nighttime, glare, or obstructed sight lines
• School and work zones – Areas with vulnerable pedestrians

A driver traveling at the speed limit during a rainstorm may still be negligent if that speed is unsafe for conditions.

Racing and Exhibition of Speed

Street racing and exhibition of speed represent extreme forms of speeding that demonstrate reckless disregard for safety. Louisiana law imposes criminal penalties for racing on public roads, and civil liability for resulting accidents may include punitive damages.

How Speeding Causes Different Types of Crashes

Speeding contributes to various crash types, each presenting unique dangers.

Rear-End Collisions

Speeding drivers cannot stop in time when traffic slows or stops ahead. The extended stopping distance at high speeds results in rear-end collisions that cause:

• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Spinal damage
• Traumatic brain injuries from violent vehicle movement

Head-On Collisions

Speeding around curves can cause vehicles to cross into oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions at high speeds are among the most deadly crash types, often resulting in fatalities or catastrophic injuries.

Single-Vehicle Crashes

Drivers who lose control at high speeds may:

• Run off the road
• Strike fixed objects (trees, poles, barriers)
• Rollover
• Crash into ditches or embankments

While these crashes involve only one vehicle, the speeding driver may still face liability if passengers or pedestrians are injured.

Accident Reconstruction

Expert accident reconstructionists can determine vehicle speeds before crashes by analyzing:

• Skid marks – Length and pattern indicate pre-impact speed
• Vehicle damage – Crush depth and damage patterns reveal impact forces
• Final rest positions – Where vehicles ended up after the crash
• Debris fields – Scatter patterns of vehicle parts and glass
• Roadway evidence – Gouge marks, fluid patterns, and tire marks

Common Injuries in Speeding Accidents

The increased forces involved in speeding crashes cause more severe injuries than lower-speed collisions.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

The violent forces in high-speed crashes cause severe head trauma including:

• Concussions
• Brain contusions
• Diffuse axonal injury
• Skull fractures
• Intracranial hemorrhage

These injuries may result in permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, and disability.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses – Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
• Future medical costs – Anticipated lifetime care needs
• Lost wages – Income lost during recovery
• Lost earning capacity – Reduced future earnings from permanent impairment
• Property damage – Vehicle replacement and damaged personal property

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering – Physical pain from injuries
• Mental anguish – Emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities
• Disfigurement – Scarring and permanent physical changes
• Loss of consortium – Impact on family relationships

Punitive Damages

In cases involving extreme speeding, racing, or reckless disregard for safety, Louisiana courts may award punitive damages to:

• Punish the wrongdoer for egregious conduct
• Deter others from similar dangerous behavior

Street racing or excessive speeding combined with other dangerous behaviors may support punitive damage claims.

Louisiana’s Comparative Fault in Speeding Cases

Louisiana follows pure comparative fault under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323. You can recover damages even if partially at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your fault percentage.

Insurance companies defending speeding drivers often attempt to shift blame by claiming:

• You should have avoided the crash
• You were also speeding
• You failed to react quickly enough

Our car accident attorneys protect clients from unfair fault allocation by gathering strong evidence of the other driver’s excessive speed and negligence.

Statute of Limitations

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492, you have one year from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is strictly enforced.

Critical evidence in speeding cases—including EDR data, surveillance footage, and witness memories—can be lost quickly. Contact an attorney immediately after a speeding accident to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.

Contact a New Orleans Speeding Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured by a speeding driver in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana, Smiley Injury Law can help you hold the negligent driver accountable and recover full compensation for your injuries. Our experienced car accident attorneys investigate speeding crashes thoroughly and build compelling cases for maximum recovery.

Contact Smiley Injury Law today for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 (504) 822-2222

📍 201 St Charles Ave, Ste 2500, New Orleans, LA 70170

🌐 www.smileyinjurylaw.com

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.