How Does Vehicle Speed Affect Car Accident Injuries?

Getting stuck in congested traffic is nobody’s idea of fun. You are right to feel annoyed when traffic slows to a crawl. The only upside of a traffic jam is the reduction in serious collisions. There might be a minor fender bender from someone driving too close.

On the other hand, the risk of catastrophic crashes increases when the speed of the cars on the road increases.

One of the first issues that a car accident investigator will examine is the speed of the cars at the moment of impact. Vehicle speed can significantly impact car accident injuries and help determine who can be held accountable.

Prince Law Firm is a team of dedicated car accident attorneys who conduct a thorough investigation into our clients’ accidents, finding all relevant evidence to support the claim.

If you’ve been in a car accident, and speed was a factor, it’ll help to understand how a car’s speed can intensify accident injuries.

Speeding Crash Statistics

The relationship between a car’s speed and the severity of an accident is undeniable. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), crashes involving speed accounted for 31.1% of the total crashes in 2023. Of that number, 44.9% resulted in fatalities, and 36.3% were injury crashes.

Speed is also dangerous to vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and wheelchair users. As drivers speed up, their perception of the road ahead becomes significantly smaller, like slowly closing the aperture on a camera lens. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency of Planning (CMAP) reports that with a car traveling at 20 mph, there is a 5% risk of a fatality, while at 40 mph, the risk of a fatality rises to 85%.

The Impact of Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the form of energy that an object possesses due to its motion or speed. You can think of kinetic energy as the force of impact. The faster the car is moving, the more kinetic energy is generated. When the car suddenly stops in a collision, that kinetic energy generates the force of impact for the driver and passengers. In other words, even though the car stops, your body still moves with a forceful jolt.

That jolt can instantly result in the following type of force impact injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Whiplash

Reaction Time

At higher speeds, the driver’s reaction time diminishes as well. There are two instantaneous reactions that occur when you need to come to a sudden stop. The first is to acknowledge that you need to stop. This is the reaction to a car that has stopped ahead or swerved into your lane.

The second reaction is applying the brakes. Think of this as “thought” plus “action” equals “stopping.” Drivers traveling at around 55 mph need around 200 feet to reach a complete stop.

That’s close to the full length of a football field.

Infrastructure Limits

Speed signs are posted along all highways and roads. Those speeds are also adjusted for certain infrastructure limitations.

For instance, you might approach a curve off the highway that recommends dropping your speed to 40 mph. Because of the design of that curve, if you stay at highway speeds, you could lose control of your car. It is especially crucial for semi-trucks to reduce their speed when designated.

Cargo shifting in the back of a truck going around a curve could cause a truck accident.

How to Stay Safe

The most obvious way to avoid a speeding accident is to refrain from speeding. That alone can reduce your risk of getting into an accident, but what about the other drivers? Here are some tips on how to stay safe on the road:

Maintain a Safe Braking Distance

The more room you put between you and the car in front of you, the more distance you’ll have to come to a stop.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

A driver needs to constantly pay attention to the road ahead, behind, and to the side of them.

As mentioned above, when speeding, one’s ability to see all sides diminishes. One must also be alert to road conditions, such as debris.

Avoid Distractions

Speeding isn’t the only cause of accidents. Distracted driving is also a major factor in crashes.

Those distractions go beyond cell phones. You can also be distracted by eating, drinking, smoking, interacting with passengers, or adjusting the car’s controls.

When Accidents Happen

You’re entitled to seek a remedy when accidents happen because of another driver’s negligence.

That is where the Prince Law Firm can be a big help. If we agree to work with you, we can determine the exact cause of the crash and identify all the parties involved.