Speed kills pedestrians. Higher vehicle speeds mean greater impact forces and dramatically reduced survival rates for struck pedestrians. When speeding drivers hit pedestrians, both liability and damages are typically enhanced.
Speed and Pedestrian Fatality Risk
Pedestrian fatality risk increases exponentially with speed. At 20 mph, 90% survive; at 40 mph, only 20% survive.
Even non-fatal injuries are far more severe at higher speeds. Moderate speeds that might cause bruises become catastrophic at highway speeds.
Stopping distance increases with speed squared. Drivers cannot stop in time when traveling too fast for conditions.
Proving Speed as Negligence
Exceeding posted limits constitutes negligence per se in most jurisdictions - automatic negligence from violating traffic law.
Even within limits, excessive speed for conditions - pedestrian areas, darkness, weather - may be negligent.
Speed appropriate for pedestrians in crosswalks, school zones, and residential areas is lower than posted limits.
Evidence of Speeding
Vehicle event data recorders (black boxes) capture speed data from moments before crashes. This evidence is often conclusive.
Accident reconstruction calculates speed from skid marks, crush damage, throw distance, and other physical evidence.
Witness estimates about how fast vehicles were traveling support speeding claims.
Traffic cameras may capture vehicles in motion, allowing speed calculations from timestamps and distances.
Enhanced Damages for Speeding
Speeding that significantly exceeds limits may support punitive damages for reckless disregard of safety.
More severe injuries from higher speeds mean higher compensatory damages.
Wrongful death is more likely when speeding drivers strike pedestrians.
Speed Zones with Heightened Duties
School zones have reduced limits specifically to protect child pedestrians. Speeding in school zones is especially negligent.
Residential areas have lower limits because children and pedestrians are expected. Speed violations here are particularly dangerous.
Construction zones with workers present require reduced speeds. Worker injuries from speeding implicate multiple liability theories.
Commercial Vehicle Speeding
Trucks and buses require longer stopping distances. Speed limits reflect these vehicles' capabilities.
Employer liability applies when commercial drivers speed. Companies bear responsibility for driver conduct.
FMCSA regulations govern commercial vehicle speeds. Violations support federal regulatory claims.
Racing and Exhibition Speed
Street racing and exhibition driving near pedestrians demonstrates extreme recklessness justifying maximum damages.
Criminal charges for racing often accompany civil claims, providing additional evidence.
Punitive damages are virtually assured when racing causes pedestrian injuries.
Injury Severity at Speed
Traumatic brain injuries - pedestrian heads often impact hoods and windshields at speed, causing severe TBI.
Internal injuries - blunt force trauma at high speed causes organ damage and internal bleeding.
Multiple fractures - the energy transferred in high-speed collisions breaks multiple bones.
Death - pedestrians simply cannot survive impacts at highway speeds.
Damages Calculation
Medical expenses are typically much higher for speed-related injuries due to severity.
Lost earning capacity often encompasses entire careers when severe injuries cause permanent disability.
Pain and suffering reflects the catastrophic nature of high-speed pedestrian injuries.
Pursuing Speed-Related Claims
Preserve vehicle data before it's lost. Send preservation letters immediately to prevent evidence destruction.
Obtain traffic camera footage showing vehicle speed before the collision.
Work with accident reconstruction experts who can calculate impact speed from physical evidence.
Consult attorneys who understand how to prove speeding and maximize damages in high-speed pedestrian cases.