Like many others in Houston, you’ve probably encountered aggressive drivers pushing well past 75 mph while navigating our busy highways like I-69, I-10, or the 610 Loop. Indeed, people often view speeding as a harmless crime. In Texas, however, speeding is considered a serious offense. It is classified as a misdemeanor, and a ticket can cost well over $300.
Additionally, speeding accidents can be catastrophic, resulting in severe injuries, property damage, and even death. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a speeding driver in the Greater Houston area, you may be entitled to compensation.
Our experienced attorney will fight to make sure the responsible party is held liable for your injuries. To learn how we can help you, contact Hernandez Sunosky LLP to learn more about your legal rights.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Speeding Accidents
When the federal government capped national speed limits at 55 miles per hour in 1973, the goal was to help conserve gasoline during an oil crisis. An unintended outcome of that national law was a decrease in fatal auto accidents.
A car crash can happen to anyone at any time. Speeding increases not only the risk of an accident but also the severity of the injuries a collision may cause. Most accidents are low-speed crashes. However, injuries in those types of incidents are typically minor, whereas high-speed accidents cause more severe harm.
Neck and Back Injuries
Whiplash and other kinds of neck and back trauma are among the most common injuries caused by auto accidents. These injuries can lead to debilitating suffering and lifelong complications, such as paralysis from a spinal cord injury.
The pain from a neck or back injury can have long-lasting consequences. For instance, there’s a chance it will leave the injured person unable to earn a living.
Head and Brain Injuries
Injuries to the brain and head include:
- Concussions
- Lacerations
- Fractures of the skull
- Traumatic brain injuries
Any of these wounds can be fatal or cause permanent damage to a person’s cognitive and emotional abilities. Medical treatment to repair damage to this area of the body is expensive and can be ongoing.
Internal Body Injuries
Injuries to the body’s vital organs are among the most dangerous. Having aches and pains after an auto accident is expected. Because it is unseen, a person could mistake a serious internal injury for “normal” pain and delay medical treatment.
Damage to the body’s vital organs could cause immediate death or death by a slow, undetected internal bleed. The possibility of internal injury is one more reason why it is so important to seek medical attention after an accident, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously harmed.
Broken Bones
The increased force of a speeding accident collision is more than enough to cause broken bones. Some bone injuries require extensive and painful medical care. Long-term impairments from a fractured bone can require surgery. Most people recover from broken bones, but they can increase the risk of death in older people.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries like cuts, muscle strains, and bruising may seem minor compared to other injuries. However, they can still lead to a great deal of pain and may require medical treatment.
Injuries to your soft tissue can also cause significant amounts of scarring. This issue can be difficult to cope with, especially when it appears on the face or other prominent areas.
Wrongful Death
“Wrongful death” is a term used when a person dies in an accident that was not their fault. Speeding accidents increase the risk of fatal injury and can cause death on impact. Many people don’t realize that the loved ones of a wrongful death victim may be eligible for financial compensation to cover medical expenses and loss of support.
Emotional Injuries
Emotional injuries are unseen, but they can be just as devastating to a person’s well-being as physical injuries. Being involved in a serious high-speed collision is a traumatic experience that can lead to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
These mental health conditions are treatable. Nonetheless, symptoms may require management for a lifetime and have the potential to negatively impact an individual’s quality of life.
Get the Justice You Deserve
The personal injury attorneys at Hernandez Sunosky LLP help Houston residents who have endured devastating injuries caused by high-speed collisions. Recovering from an auto accident takes time and money. If you’re unable to work while recovering from an injury someone else caused, how will you pay your bills? Financial compensation through a lawsuit or settlement holds the negligent party responsible and provides you with the financial support you need during a difficult time. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a speeding accident anywhere in Houston—from Downtown to The Woodlands, from Katy to Pasadena—contact Hernandez Sunosky LLP for a free consultation.