In just an instant, someone else’s decision to speed can cause you serious injury or kill your loved one. Speed-related accidents remain one of the primary causes of traffic injuries and deaths in Wisconsin and across the nation. In 2014, 20,887 Wisconsin accidents involved a speeding driver, and 163 deaths and 8,114 injuries were reported in these crashes.
What Is Speeding in Wisconsin?
Generally, speeding may occur in one of two ways. A driver may be speeding, and thus negligent, if the driver was:
- Exceeding the posted speed limit. The state of Wisconsin operates under an “absolute” speed limit law, leaving no margin for error when it comes to exceeding the displayed speed maximum. For example, if a speed limit sign says 25 mph, someone driving 26 mph may be pulled over and ticketed.
- Driving too fast for conditions. In Wisconsin, a driver may be ticketed for speeding even if the driver is driving at the posted speed limit, if the driver’s speed is deemed unsafe for current conditions. Current conditions include weather conditions and the flow of traffic, for example.
A driver who causes an accident for either of these reasons may be liable for any injuries or fatalities that result from the crash.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt or If You’ve Lost a Loved One Because of a Speeding Driver
If you have been hurt in an accident or if you have lost a loved one in a crash, and another driver in your crash has been ticketed for speeding, then it is important to see a car accident attorney as soon as possible. The speeding driver may be liable for some, or all, of your accident damages. Those damages may include your past, current and future medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, physical pain, emotional suffering, and other expenses or losses. To find out more about the actions that you can take to protect your legal rights and financial recovery, please read our free book, The Ultimate Guide for Automobile Accident Victims, and fill out our online contact form today.
Have You Been Injured In A Wisconsin, Illinois or Iowa Car Accident?
If you've been injured in a car accident you should speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can contact us online or call our office directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. We have been helping car accident victims since 1964 and service clients throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.