According to 2012 data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made available in 2014, high speed is one of the primary causes of fatal crashes. Additionally, statistics indicate that alcohol consumption increases the chances that someone will drive faster than is safe, so it is also frequently a factor in Louisiana car accidents that lead to deaths.
Data shows that 42 percent of speeding drivers involved in speeding-related fatal accidents had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or higher, the legal limit in all 50 states. Only 16 percent of the drivers who were not speeding and who were involved in fatal crashes were over that limit.
The numbers also indicate that young adult males are more likely than those in other age or gender groups to be involved in a speed-related crash that results in a person’s death. As both male and female drivers age, they become less likely to be involved in a fatal accident involving high speeds. In addition, it was found that the time of day or night made a difference. In 2012, nearly 70 percent of speeding drivers involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash were legally intoxicated.
Car accident injuries can be even more severe when high speeds are involved. As a result, medical bills are often very expensive, and people involved in accidents are also likely to end up losing wages because they cannot work while they are recovering from their injuries. A lawyer may be able to assist someone seeking appropriate compensation to cover medical and vehicle repair expenses as well as lost wages related to a crash caused by a negligent driver.
