How To Calculate The Speed Of A Car After An Accident
Speeding is unlawful, negligent, and dangerous. Speeding is a leading cause of vehicle accidents in the United States. In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that as many as 28% of all deadly crashes that took place were speeding-related. Additionally, that year, the NHTSA indicated that 13% of injury crashes and 10% of property damage collisions were the result of speeding. If you have been injured in a speed-related crash in Oregon, an Oregon car accident injury attorney at Schauermann Thayer can help you file an injury claim for compensation. With over 40 years of experience helping victims of injury accidents get the compensation they need for their losses, the attorneys at Schauermann Thayer are dedicated to helping victims of car accidents get the justice they deserve. Call our office today at (360) 695-4244 to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your circumstances.
Proving Speeding Can Help Win a Personal Injury Claim
When one files a personal injury claim, the goal is to obtain financial compensation for losses that were suffered. In Oregon, the state follows a fault-based system when it comes to determining who is responsible for paying after a crash. In other words, the individual who causes a crash will be the one who is liable for the damages that result.
To be successful with a claim, however, certain elements must exist that can show negligence took place and that this negligence contributed to the crash. Since driving at speeds over the posted limit is not only a traffic violation but also in some cases an act of negligence, proving that speed was a factor in a crash can strengthen a claim. This is why, if a vehicular crash had a speed-related component, the person filing the injury claim may need to show that another driver was speeding. As a result, it can be advantageous to calculate the speed of a car that was involved in a crash.
Investigating a Crash To Determine a Car’s Speed
Victims of car accidents in Washington and Oregon may benefit from having the assistance of a car accident lawyer at Schauermann Thayer. An experienced legal team has the resources and knowledge necessary to help victims gather as much evidence as possible to build a robust personal injury claim.
Consulting Car Accident Experts
Attorneys specializing in personal injury law often have highly-developed networks of experts in a variety of related fields, including accident reconstruction. In complicated cases, an accident reconstruction expert may have the tools necessary to assess an accident scene and calculate the speed of a car at the time of a crash.
Weighing Multiple Factors
There are many variables and pieces of information that go into the complex calculations necessary to accurately assign a number value to the speed a car may have been traveling when a crash occurred. Some of the methods an accident reconstructionist might employ to figure out speed include:
- Measuring the length of the skid marks left on the road after the crash
- Assessment of the extent of the damages to the vehicle: This may include referencing automobile manufacturer or regulatory agency information detailing various speeds that different parts of cars will fail
- Identifying the road material to choose the right coefficient of friction that was present at the time of the accident
- Examining a car to determine its braking efficiency
- Examining the accident scene to determine the rate of incline and any curvature in the road in the area where the crash occurred
- Reading each car’s manufacturer manual to find out the base weight of all vehicles involved in the crash
How Speed Impacts a Car Accident
Speeding is dangerous for several reasons. First, the faster a car is driving, the less time a driver has to make an adjudgment or change in their behavior if they encounter a hazard. Speed also affects the momentum and force of a vehicle in a collision. A car traveling at 60 mph that hits another car will do so with a force four times greater than a car that is traveling at 30 mph.
Call Today To Speak With an Oregon Car Accident Injury Lawyer
Car accidents are a serious problem in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that when compared to other high-income countries, the United States has the highest deadly crash rate. Speeding is one of the most frequently cited reasons why crashes happen. This reckless act causes numerous deadly car accidents every day somewhere in the country. If you have been injured in a speed-related accident in Washington or Oregon, or if you lost a loved one in a crash in which speeding was a factor, then proving the speed of another car could bolster your personal injury claim. As a result, you may need to calculate the speed of a car involved in your car accident. Call a car accident injury attorney at Schauermann Thayer today at (360) 695-4244 to schedule a personalized consultation to review your case.
