a personal injury The All-to-Real Consequences of Stepping on the Gas
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Most drivers will, at some point in their lives, get a speeding citation. It’s estimated that 25 percent of Americans were handed a ticket last year alone racking up more than $6 billion in fines. Yes, it’s frustrating to look in the mirror and see those red and blue lights flashing but statistics also show speeding is a deadly crime.
In Buffalo and its surrounding suburbs, more than 1,200 crashes can be attributed to speeding drivers each year. Seven counties in New York have larger populations but Buffalo’s Erie County has one of the highest rates of speed-related crashes in New York State, accounting for more than 10 percent of the state’s total.
“I think this shows how dangerous speeding can be, especially in places with open roads like Buffalo,” car accident attorney Steve Barnes said. “Some drivers have a propensity to drive as fast as possible but the speed limits are in place for a reason: to keep everyone safe.”
Half of all speeding crashes involve more than one vehicle and car accident lawyers say those accidents can be the most dangerous due to the laws of physics.
“When you have a two-ton vehicle is traveling 60 miles per hour, it could crash with a lot more force than if it were going the 40 miles per hour speed limit,” Barnes said. “We see some of the worst injuries stem from speeding accidents.”
Statistics from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles show a slight decrease in speed-related crashes but of those same crashes, more result in fatal injuries each year.
