Springfield Speeding Accidents

Springfield Attorneys for Speeding Accident Victims

Springfield is located at the heart of Illinois in a valley and plain in Sangamon Valley. I-55 provides access to and from Springfield to other parts of the state. Generally, the maximum speed limit on an interstate outside of an urban area is 70mph, while it is 65 miles per hour on rural interstates and 55 mph on interstate highways that are in major cities, and just 30 miles per hour in an urban area. Many car accidents in Springfield are fatal—a moment of desiring to go fast and get to one’s destination more quickly can turn deadly. There were about 664 fatal car accidents that occurred on city streets as well as the interstate. More than 280 fatal car crashes occurred in Springfield as compared to 120 such accidents on the interstate. If you were injured in a Springfield speeding accident, you should call the experienced Springfield speeding accident lawyers of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. We represent accident victims in personal injury lawsuits, SSDI claims, and workers’ compensation claims, and we understand how these different claims can intersect and how to protect your rights in the course of seeking compensation.

Proving a Springfield Driver’s Liability for Speeding Accidents

Speeding accidents occur when a driver is traveling too fast for road and weather conditions. The speeding driver may spin out of control or may not keep an appropriately safe distance from the driver in front of him or the drivers around him. The force of the impact is likely to be stronger when this type of crash occurs because of the speed of the driver. In some cases, the posted speed limit is still too high given weather conditions; for example, driving 55 miles per hour on the highway might be inappropriate in icy conditions if traffic is heavy.

A speeding driver can be held accountable in a personal injury lawsuit. Our lawyers will need to prove the other driver’s negligence by a preponderance of the evidence: (1) you were owed a duty of reasonable care, (2) the defendant breached this duty by speeding, (3) the speeding caused your injuries, and (4) you suffered actual damages as a result. All drivers owe a duty of care to others; this duty often involves following posted speed limits and other traffic signs. If a driver speeds and crashes into you as a result, we may be able to hold him responsible. It’s important to take down phone number of witnesses and get the police to the scene; sometimes witness reports of speed or an officer’s report and citation can serve as evidence that the duty of care was breached.

Sometimes a speeding at-fault driver turns and points the finger at the person he or she injured through negligence. You should be aware that your damages can be reduced by an amount equal to your percentage of fault under the doctrine of comparative negligence. This doctrine requires the jury to evaluate your actions, as well as the actions of the defendant to determine proportion of fault. When there are multiple drivers involved in this type of accident, the jury will determine comparative fault—how at fault each party was and their proportion of responsibility for your injuries.

Establishing Damages for a Speeding Accident

If we can establish liability, we may be able to obtain compensatory damages on your behalf. These damages must be sufficiently certain; they cover past, present and future losses. With an item of damages such as future medical care for catastrophic injuries, whether spinal cord damage or brain damage, we may need to engage a specialist to provide expert testimony and explain to the jury what care would reasonably needed in the years to come. The amount of damages will depend on the extent and severity of your injuries.

Consult a Trustworthy Speeding Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a speeding accident, you should call the trustworthy Springfield trial attorneys of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca at 312-724-5846. Alternatively, you can complete our online form. We have more than 60 years of experience seeking all available relief for accident victims and can also represent you in the event that a Social Security Disability Insurance claim (SSDI) or workers’ compensation claim needs to be brought.