Consequences Of High-Speed Collisions & Compensation For Victims

In today’s hectic world, it’s commonplace for people to constantly be in a rush. Anyone who drives to work in a major metropolitan area can tell you that aggressive drivers are constantly disregarding the speed limit. Since it’s become a societal norm, many drivers may be unaware of the dangers of high-speed driving.

Accidents involving excessively high speeds are among the most fatal types of collisions. A 2007 study by the NHTSA found that “speeding was a contributing factor in 31 percent of fatal accidents”. While most drivers may get away with violating speed laws on a daily basis, those who are unfortunate enough to be involved in a high-speed collision often suffer serious lifelong ailments or death. These victims deserve justice.

Victims of Speeding

If you’re in an accident and suspect that the other driver was speeding, there are a few steps to take in order to protect yourself. These are generally good rules of thumb for any accident:

Gather Contact Info

This is a crucial first step in the aftermath of any accident. Ask any witnesses for names, phone numbers, and addresses. They can provide an unbiased account of the accident, which could be extremely useful in a civil court.

These witnesses can help corroborate your story and testify that the other driver was speeding. Otherwise, it may end up being the at-fault driver’s word against yours.

Take Photos 

Make sure to take plenty of photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Reconstruction experts can determine the cause of the accident and speeds of the vehicles at the time of the accident by analyzing the damage from both vehicles.

Ask For Copies of the Police Report

After the police have conducted their investigation, make sure to ask for a copy of the report. The police will often be able to determine the at-fault driver after questioning both parties. Police corroboration of your story is a big bargaining chip in civil court.

If you’ve been hit by a speeding motorist, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible. By doing this, you allow your personal injury lawyer to build a strong case if a lawsuit is necessary.

Pennsylvania Insurance Laws

Before you seek legal counsel, it’s important to first understand Pennsylvania car insurance law and how it relates to civil cases. PA is one of three “Choice No-Fault” car insurance states. Drivers have the option to choose between two types of insurance plans - full tort or limited tort. If your plan is limited tort, then you have opted into the no-fault clause. Those ensured with full tort have opted out of this clause.

There are a few limited tort exceptions which grant the insured individual the rights of a full tort policy. Such exceptions include:

• Pedestrians and cyclists - Pedestrians and cyclists receive full tort rights when struck by a motor vehicle. They will still have economic expenses covered by insurance, but will not be restricted to limited tort options since they were not operating a motor vehicle at the time of the accident.

• Victims of DUI & DWI - These victims receive full tort rights. Otherwise, DUI offenders would benefit from limited civil liability.

• Uninsured at-fault driver - Victims are permitted to sue uninsured at-fault drivers for damages.

• Non-private passenger vehicles - Passengers and drivers in non-private vehicles, such as commercial vehicles and buses, are not bound by limited tort restrictions.

• Out of state vehicle - If the at-fault driver has a vehicle registered in another state, a limited tort driver will receive an exception.

These exceptions may allow a limited tort customer to receive the benefits of full tort.

Limited Tort

No-Fault policies dictate that in the case of an accident, each driver’s insurance will help to cover economic expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages. If necessary, the victim is permitted to sue for further financial compensation for these economic expenses. However, those with limited tort plans are only permitted to sue for noneconomic expenses like pain and suffering if they have a “serious injury”

The legal definition of “serious injury” is a bit murky, and may vary on a case by case basis. There are some obvious examples, such as permanent disability or disfigurement. A reliable personal injury attorney will gather evidence to prove that his or her client has suffered a “serious impairment of body function” which has significantly restricted the client’s daily life.

High-speed collisions often cause serious spinal and brain injuries. These types of injuries often meet the serious injury threshold, depending on the severity.

The criteria for determining serious injury is subjective and may vary depending on lifestyle. For example, a construction worker with a bulging disc would experience significantly more restrictions in his daily life than a retiree with the same injury.

Full Tort

Full tort policies offer more extensive coverage for accident victims. These drivers are permitted to privately sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering without meeting the legal standards for “serious injury”. On average, a full tort plan is about 15% more expensive than a limited tort plan from the same insurance agency.

If you’ve been the victim of a high-speed collision and have full tort coverage, you have much more versatility when pursuing a lawsuit. Full tort coverage is much more likely to result in a settlement or favorable court ruling in a car accident lawsuit.

Legal Consultation

If you’re considering filing a lawsuit in a high-speed collision case, you may be confused by all of the complexities of PA insurance laws. It’s best to seek out a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer who has experience dealing with similar cases. Try to gather as many relevant documents (medical records, police records, insurance records, etc.) as you can before scheduling a consultation, but our legal team is prepared to help you fill in the gaps in order to acquire all pertinent information for your case.

More About Car Accidents

• A broad look at types of accidents, causes, and legal options
• Common questions after a car accident
• Info about being rear-ended
• Accidents with uninsured drivers