According to the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, alcohol/drugs and speeding are the two highest Probable Contributing Circumstances in fatal crashes throughout the state.
Of all fatal crashes, 41% involved speed, and 25.2% involved alcohol/drugs.
Overall, there were 19,516 speed-related crashes in Missouri last year alone that caused 2,995 injuries and 395 fatalities.
At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis car accident attorney knows these crashes are preventable and often exacerbate the severity of injuries and damages sustained in collisions. Simply put, the faster the negligent driver is going, the more likely they are to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the force of impact in collisions and leading to more severe injuries and fatalities.
Why Speed Impacts the Severity of Crashes in St. Louis, Missouri
Various factors contribute to speeding-related accidents in Missouri, including aggressive driving behaviors, impaired driving, distracted driving, and disregard for traffic laws and speed limits.
The outcome is catastrophic when negligent, speeding drivers are behind the wheel of a car, truck, or SUV because:
- Speeding Reduces Reaction Time
When drivers speed, they have less time to react to unexpected situations on the road, like sudden stops, changing traffic conditions, or the actions of other drivers. This reduced reaction time increases the likelihood of collisions, mainly when quick maneuvers are necessary to avoid crashes.
- Speeding Requires Longer Stopping Distances
Speeding increases the distance required for a vehicle to come to a complete stop. As a result, speeding drivers may be unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with obstacles, cars, bicyclists, or pedestrians in their path, especially in congested traffic or adverse weather conditions.
- Speeding Can Cause the Loss of Vehicle Control
Speeding reduces the driver’s ability to maintain vehicle control, particularly when navigating curves, turns, or uneven road surfaces. Excessive speed can cause vehicles to skid, slide, or roll over, increasing the risk of collisions, particularly on winding roads or highways with sharp curves.
These and other factors that are common in speeding accidents lead to significant injuries and fatalities that change lives, and we want to help our clients and their families seek justice.
Contact Our St. Louis Car Accident and Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured or lost their life during a traffic crash caused by a speeding or otherwise negligent driver in Missouri, we urge you to contact our St. Louis car accident and injury attorney today. Call (314)-370-8173 or schedule a free consultation online to discuss your case.
