Following the posted speed limit can mean the difference between arriving safely and becoming another tragic statistic. Whether it is the temptation of open freeway stretches or the rush to beat traffic lights on city streets, speeding remains one of the most dangerous yet preventable causes of serious accidents throughout Kern County. If you were involved in an accident caused by a speeding driver in Bakersfield, you deserve justice for the harm you and your loved ones have endured. Contact a Bakersfield car accident lawyer for legal guidance.
Speed Can Cause Deadly Crashes and Life-Altering Injuries
When vehicles collide at high speeds, the human body simply cannot withstand the tremendous forces involved. The faster a vehicle travels, the less time drivers have to react to unexpected situations, and the more severe the consequences become when something goes wrong.
Speeding accidents can lead to devastating and sometimes fatal injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Severe lacerations
- Burns from fires
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Crushed limbs
- Facial injuries
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
California Speed Limit Laws and Traffic Violation Penalties
California has three speeding-related laws designed to keep the roads safe. First, the basic speeding law requires drivers to operate at reasonable speeds regardless of posted limits, considering weather, visibility, and road conditions. What seems safe on a clear day might be dangerously fast during fog or rain.
Second, absolute speed limits set clear maximums that cannot be exceeded under any circumstances. These include 70 miles per hour on designated freeways, 65 miles per hour on other highways, and 55 miles per hour on two-lane undivided roads.
Third, presumed speed limits apply in specific areas. These include 25 miles per hour in residential and business districts, and 15 miles per hour near railroad crossings and areas with limited visibility.
Speeding penalties in California escalate based on how much you exceed the limit. Going 1 to 15 miles per hour over carries a base fine of $35, while 16 to 25 miles per hour over costs $70, and exceeding the limit by 26 or more miles per hour results in a $100 base fine. Driving over 100 miles per hour brings much harsher consequences, including fines up to $500 and potential license suspension.
Proving Speeding as a Factor in Your Car Accident Case
If you were injured by a speeding driver, you have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against them and recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. However, you will need to supply strong evidence that excessive speed caused your accident.
Bakersfield personal injury attorneys know how to reconstruct crash scenes by analyzing skid marks, examining vehicle damage patterns, and measuring the distance vehicles traveled after impact. They consult with accident reconstruction experts who can calculate speeds based on physical evidence at the scene. Police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and even smartphone data can also help establish that the other driver was speeding when they caused your crash.
Get Legal Help for Your Bakersfield Speeding Accident Case
When reckless drivers cause serious injuries through speeding, you deserve justice. For decades, the Bakersfield car accident lawyers at Rodriguez & Associates have fought for the rights of victims like you—trust us to hold the speeding driver accountable. Call or text us at (661) 777-7575 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your speeding accident case.