Atlanta Exceeding Posted Speed Limit Accident Lawyer

There’s an inherent risk drivers all accept when they take to Georgia’s roads. Everyone trusts that fellow drivers will operate their vehicles with a sense of responsibility, adhering to traffic laws designed to keep us all safe. Unfortunately, excessive speed remains a significant culprit in car accidents across the state of Georgia, leading to personal injuries, financial hardship, and profound personal loss. If you or someone you cherish has been caught in the aftermath of a car accident caused by a driver who chose to ignore the limits, know that you are not alone.

For over four decades, the attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm have stood as staunch advocates for those whose lives have been upended by the carelessness of others. We bring our extensive experience and unwavering commitment to help you understand your rights and pursue the full measure of justice you deserve. Call us at 404-975-1775 to discuss your situation with a skilled Atlanta exceeding posted speed limit accident lawyer.

Georgia Speed Laws

Georgia establishes clear guidelines for lawful speeds on roadways by way of posted speed signs that recognize different environments have a need for different speed limits to ensure the safety of everyone who utilizes the road. Unless otherwise indicated, the standard speed limits in Georgia are generally set at 30 miles per hour within urban or residential areas, 70 miles per hour on interstates, 65 miles per hour on urban interstates or multi-lane divided highways, and 55 miles per hour in all other locales. However, it’s crucial to remember posted speed limit signs always take precedence over the standard speed limits.

There are also designated areas with specified speed limits due to an increased risk of danger. Places where drivers will see these speed limits are designated school zones and active highway work zones, which are areas demanding extra caution to protect our children and road workers.

It is important to know that Georgia also operates under a fundamental principle known as the “Basic Speed Rule.” This rule states that no driver should ever operate a vehicle at a speed greater than what is reasonable and prudent given the conditions and should drive with due regard for any existing or potential hazards. This means that even if you are going the posted speed limit, hazardous driving conditions such as rain or traffic jams may require a slower speed to provide safety to others.

Georgia also has what is called the “Super Speeder” law, which specifically targets those who engage in extreme speeding. This law applies when a driver goes 75 miles per hour on a two-lane road, or 85 miles per hour or more on any road within the state of Georgia.

The state of Georgia is adamant about keeping their roads safe, and these laws send a clear message about the state’s commitment to curbing the serious dangers associated with excessive speed and the damage they may cause to others who use the road.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is legally defined as operating a vehicle with a blatant disregard for the safety of people or property. When a driver exceeds the speed limit, that speed could be interpreted as a disregard for the safety of others on the road.

Examples of this behavior would be a driver weaving aggressively through lanes at high speeds, or speeding through a neighborhood where children might be playing. Speeding such as this could lead to an accident, which could negligently cause severe injuries to another.

Speeding in Georgia

The dangers of speeding are unfortunately reflected in accident statistics both here in Georgia and across the nation.

In the state of Georgia, speeding is a major cause for traffic accidents, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities annually. In the year 2022 alone, 422 deaths in Georgia were linked to speeding, representing 23% of all traffic fatalities in the state.

In fact, speeding is often cited as the second leading cause of traffic deaths in Georgia, and the data suggests a disturbing trend of increasing speed-related fatalities in recent years. This data underscores the critical importance of holding speeding drivers accountable when their actions lead to harm, and the experienced attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm know how to do so and get the compensation you need after suffering such an accident.

Establishing Fault

In the State of Georgia, the legal concept of “negligence per se” can be a powerful tool in cases involving speeding. Essentially, negligence per se means that when someone violates a law specifically put in place for public safety, and that violation directly leads to injury of another person, the first two crucial elements of negligence – duty and breach of duty – are automatically proven.

Speeding laws in Georgia are put in place to protect the safety of everyone who uses the roads. Therefore, if a driver breaks a speeding law and, as a direct consequence of that speeding, causes a car accident in which someone is injured, that driver could be held legally responsible under the doctrine of negligence per se.

Understanding Recoverable Damages in Georgia

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a speeding driver in Georgia, you may have the right to pursue various types of compensation to address the losses you’ve incurred.

Such damages could include economic, or tangible, financial losses that resulted from the accident. This could include the costs of medical care you’ve already received and will need in the future, such as hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, rehabilitation therapy, prescription medications, and necessary medical equipment.

You can also seek compensation for the income you’ve lost due to being unable to work, and that could include both work done in the past and for any future loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. Economic damages also could encompass the costs to repair or replace your vehicle if it was damaged in the accident.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, address such things such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the diminished enjoyment of life. These damages aim to compensate you for the discomfort, agony, and emotional anguish you have suffered because of your injuries. Emotional distress covers a range of psychological impacts and other emotional consequences that arise from the accident.

Finally, if your injuries have prevented you from your ability to participate in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed, you may seek compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.

Recovering damages for your injuries can be a complex task, and one that an Atlanta exceeding posted speed limit accident lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can help you with to make sure you get the compensation you need to help you recover.

Common Accidents Stemming from Speeding

Speeding can significantly increase both the likelihood and the severity of car accidents. Several common accidents that occur are frequently linked to drivers who choose to exceed the posted speed limits and cause harm to others.

• Rear-end collisions are a frequent consequence when drivers are speeding. Traveling too fast can leave a driver with insufficient time to react and stop if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows down. The force of impact in a rear-end collision combined with high speed can lead to significant and debilitating injuries which may require long term care.
• Head-on crashes, while thankfully less frequent, are often among the most devastating and are commonly caused by speeding drivers who lose control of their vehicles and veer into oncoming traffic. The force of two vehicles colliding head-on at often high speeds can result in serious injuries or even fatalities.
• Intersection accidents are also frequently linked to speeding, as drivers may attempt to run red lights or fail to yield the right-of-way at excessive speeds. These types of collisions can be particularly dangerous due to the angle of impact.
• Loss of control accidents are much more likely to occur when drivers are speeding, especially when navigating curves or driving in challenging weather conditions. Excessive speed diminishes a driver’s ability to safely maneuver and react to unexpected changes in road conditions, which could lead to severe injuries.
• Speeding drivers also have less time to see and react to pedestrians who may be crossing the road, and the force of impact at higher speeds increases the likelihood of severe injuries or fatalities for the pedestrian.

Recognizing these common accident patterns helps us understand the potential devastating consequences of speeding and the types of cases that the expert team of attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm routinely handles. Call us at 404-975-1775 to get your free consultation if you have been in an accident caused by a speeding driver.

Why Choose an Atlanta Exceeding Posted Speed Limit Accident Lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm?

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we understand the impact that car accidents caused by speeding drivers can have on victims and their families. With over 40 years of dedicated service, our experienced team of personal injury attorneys has built a strong and proven track record of success in representing individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of others.

Our firm’s extensive experience includes handling a multitude of car accident cases involving speeding, and we possess a comprehensive understanding of Georgia’s traffic laws and the nuanced legal strategies required to achieve positive outcomes. We have successfully helped our clients navigate the often overwhelming financial and emotional burdens that follow a serious accident.

Our compassionate and experienced attorneys are ready to listen to your story, carefully evaluate the details of your case, and provide you with the strong and effective legal representation you need during this challenging time. You can contact an Atlanta exceeding posted speed limit accident lawyer directly at 404-975-1775.