Speeding is a common cause of car accidents in San Bernardino. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by speeding, you may receive financial compensation. Our experienced San Bernardino car accident lawyers at LA Century Law represent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who have been hurt in speeding car accidents.
Speeding Accident Statistics in San Bernardino County
Statistics show that car accidents caused by speeding are common in San Bernardino County:
- 3,176: Speed-related injury and fatality crashes in San Bernardino County in 2022
- 3,267: Speed-related injury and fatality crashes in San Bernardino County in 2021
- 174: Fatal and injury speed-related crashes in the City of San Bernardino in 2022
- 172: Fatal and injury speed-related crashes in the City of San Bernardino in 2021
- San Bernardino County ranks fourth among California counties for the number of speed-related fatal and serious injuries.
- Speeding is a factor in approximately one-third of fatal traffic crashes in the United States.
- 29.1% of California motor vehicle fatalities are speed-related.
Sources: California Office of Traffic Safety, OTS Crash Rankings; NHTSA, Speeding; California OTS, Speeding-Related Collisions
Why Speeding Is a Leading Factor in Local Car Crashes
San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous 48 United States by area. The county has approximately 2,500 miles of roads. The county has major interstates, scenic routes, highways, and urban streets.
Speeding is a leading factor in local car crashes for several reasons:
- Urban roads with frequent merging, intersections, and traffic direction changes can make speeding a particularly dangerous behavior. There may be traffic congestion and unusual traffic shifts.
- People may be rushing to work, appointments, and other commitments as part of their daily routine.
- With many roads covering a large area, drivers may be unfamiliar with traffic patterns.
- Aggressive driving in an urban area can be especially hazardous when vehicles are in close proximity.
- Drivers who are familiar with the local area may overestimate their ability to handle unusual situations.
- Speeding reduces the ability to react to changing and unusual conditions. It also reduces the time that a driver has to observe conditions and make judgments about safe driving.
In addition to the risks caused by speeding itself, drivers who speed are more likely to engage in other dangerous behaviors. They are more likely to drink and drive and more likely to fail to wear a seatbelt (Berkeley, SafeTREC).
Common Types of Accidents Caused by Speeding
Rear-end accidents are the most common type of speed-related accidents. Other common types of collisions are striking an object, an overturned vehicle, and broadside or head-on collisions.
- Rear-end accidents: The speeding driver doesn’t have sufficient time to stop. The driver ahead may stop for a traffic signal or for something ahead in the road. In addition to speed, tailgating may contribute to a rear-end accident.
- Striking an object: Speeding can make it more difficult to control a vehicle. It can also make it harder to navigate wet roads, slick spots, and debris. The driver may strike an object in the road or a fixture.
- Overturned vehicle: High speed can compromise stability when a vehicle turns. Loss of control may occur when a driver navigates a turn or when they turn their wheel sharply in response to an unusual traffic condition.
- Broadside: A speeding driver may enter an intersection without the right of way. Their high speed may prevent other drivers from seeing them.
- Head-on collisions: Speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to the presence of other vehicles. A speeding driver may be more likely to attempt improper passing.
High-Risk Roads and Intersections in San Bernardino
Any road can become high-risk due to a speeding driver. San Bernardino has some especially dangerous areas, including interstates I-10, I-15, I-40, and I-215. State Route 210 runs along the San Gabriel Mountains and can also pose a danger for speeding drivers.
Dangerous intersections include Sterling Avenue and Fifth Street, Del Rosa Avenue and Date Street, Tippecanoe Avenue at Hospital Lane, and University Parkway at I-215. State Valley Road and Bear Valley Road can also have dangerous stretches. A road or intersection may be high-risk due to accident frequency or because collisions are especially severe.
How Speeding Impacts Liability in Car Accident Claims
In San Bernardino, fault for a car accident is based on negligence. Speeding is a type of negligence, or behavior that creates unreasonable danger. There are various ways in which a person can be liable for a car accident by speeding:
Driving above the posted speed limit
All drivers must observe posted speed limits. Driving even a few miles above the posted limit can make someone liable for an accident.
Driving too fast for conditions
Even when a driver is traveling at or under the posted speed limit, they may be speeding if they are going too fast for the conditions present. A driver must consider weather, traffic, vehicle handling, and other conditions when determining how fast to drive. Racing and weaving in and out of traffic can also make a driver responsible for speeding.
Disobeying a temporary traffic direction
Temporary traffic control measures, such as a construction zone or special event routing, can influence appropriate speeds.
Obstructing traffic
A driver can be liable for a traffic accident by obstructing traffic with their speed. A driver may create a hazard by driving extremely slowly or purposefully stopping in traffic.
Evidence Used To Prove a Driver Was Speeding
The location and severity of the vehicle impact may help prove a driver was speeding. A data recorder may show sudden braking or steering wheel maneuvers. The driver may confess, even if they try to minimize their actions, or witnesses may help estimate vehicle speed. An attorney can help you perform accident reconstruction and gather evidence to prove speeding.
What To Do After Being Hit by a Speeding Driver
If you are hit by a speeding driver, stop your vehicle where it’s safe. If anyone could be injured, call 911. Report the accident to law enforcement. Get driver, vehicle, and witness information.
Do what you can to preserve evidence, such as taking photos of both vehicles and the accident scene. Talk to a San Bernardino car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
When To Contact a San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer
LA Century Law is a San Bernardino car accident lawyer, representing people in car accident claims caused by speeding. Call or message us now.
Call Us Today - It's Free!