While speeding is not classified as a criminal act when a driver is cited, it can often result in being a material factor in over one-third of all auto crashes. Most people think of speeding in terms of traveling on the open highway in extremely excessive speed, but even driving five miles per hour over the speed limit can be dangerous in any given situation.
Speeding accidents as Negligence
In some cases, a motorist could be speeding despite the fact they are obeying the speeding limit. This is often labeled as ‘conditions requiring reduced speeds’ and is set forth in RI Law 31-14-1 set forth below. (§ 31-14-1 “Reasonable and prudent speeds. – No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4”)
Speeding and pedestrian accidents in RI
This is especially true when car accidents in Rhode Island also involve pedestrians and motorcyclists. Individuals riding a bicycle could be severely injured when struck by a vehicle, car or pickup truck at any rate of speed. All states have taken extra precautions to make travel safer by setting a speed limit allowable for all stretches of roadway, including community streets, and those determinations are not recommendations. They are legal restrictions. The message is that excessive speed can kill, regardless of the amount of excess.
Liability for multi vehicle collision
Liability concerning all car accidents involving multiple vehicles are adjudicated according to comparative negligence laws to determine what percentage fault each motorist has for the motor vehicle crash. Illegal activity involved in a RI car accident can enhance a negligent driver’s percentage of fault in any car accident, and especially in high-speed car accidents that result in personal injury.
Speeding violation in RI
Drivers who are traveling in excess of the speed limit in Providence could be found totally at fault in an accident even if their insurance carrier is attempting to deflect undue fault to an injured law-abiding driver. In addition, when excessive speed is a material case fact in an East Providence, Woonsocket or Pawtucket auto accident caused by a drunk driver, criminal charges could be more severe then drunk driving death resulting but could be manslaughter or murder. Punitive damages are a possibility if speeds are extremely excessive and speeding caused serious injury or death. An experienced and aggressive Rhode Island car accident attorney is crucial to prove the egregious nature of a speeding car accident.
Multiple Car Accidents and Speeding
Many RI car accidents that occur on the open highways include multiple vehicles traveling at excessive speeds. Traveling on multiple lane highways is often a personal challenge in this regard, as the flow of the traffic regularly exceeds the actual designated speed limit. When every driver is traveling in excess of the speed limit, and especially when commercial vehicles are in close proximity, the dangers of speeding in congested traffic increase when drivers are not allowing a safe stopping distance between themselves and other drivers. The final result can be very serious and even fatal.
Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.
