Speeding Car Accident Lawyer in New Jersey
Speeding is a conscious decision by a driver. It is negligence that can cause accidents, injuries and deaths. Speeding is also part of a broader problem of aggressive driving, which includes tailgating, failure to yield, challenging other drivers and dangerous passing behavior, according to the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety.
At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we understand how devastating it can be to be injured or lose a family member in a car accident that is caused by the negligence of another driver. By taking legal action, however, you may be able to recover funds that can help you to carry on with your life.
If you have been harmed or have lost a family member in an auto accident caused by a speeding or aggressive driver in New Jersey, the lawyers of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., can assist by filing a no-fault insurance claim or a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf.
By filing these claims, we can help you to secure compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage and other losses.
To learn more, call us today at 1-800-LAW-2000 or complete our online form. We provide free consultations, and we do not charge for our legal services unless we recover for you.
The Dangers of Speeding in New Jersey
Speeding and aggressive driving behaviors are habitual behaviors that can be hard to break. In high-density, high-traffic areas such as New Jersey, drivers may be especially prone to unsafe and hostile behavior.
Unfortunately, aggressive driving and speeding have serious consequences. According to information compiled by the National Safety Council and the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety:
- Speeding causes 13,000 deaths per year in the U.S.
- Speeding contributed to 27 percent of all fatal crashes in construction zones in the U.S. in 2005.
- The costs of speeding-related crashes are over $40 billion annually in the U.S.
- Each minute a driver gains as a result of speeding costs society more than $76,000.
- 39 percent of teen male drivers in the U.S. were speeding when involved in fatal crashes.
- There were 22,118 speeding-related crashes in New Jersey in 2008.
Speeding crashes occurred both when drivers exceeded posted speed limits and in situations where drivers were driving too quickly for road conditions. In fact, a National Highway Traffic Safety Authority (NHTSA) report indicates that 55 percent of speeding-related crashes occur as a result of drivers’ going over posted limits, while the remaining 45 percent occur as a result of drivers’ going too fast for current road conditions.
Aggressive Driving Dangers
Although speeding is a top cause of car accidents, other aggressive driving behaviors can be equally dangerous. A 2009 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicated that as many as 56 percent of all fatal accidents in the U.S. occur as a result of potentially aggressive driving behaviors. These behaviors may include:
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Failing to pull over for emergency vehicles
- Tailgating
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Passing illegally
- Using lewd or aggressive gestures toward other drivers.
New Jersey laws on reckless or aggressive driving aim to prevent these behaviors. For example, according to New Jersey Safe Roads, a driver who is stopped for tailgating may be ticketed and face fines of $140 or more.
New Jersey Laws against Aggressive Driving
To attempt to combat the dangers of aggressive driving, New Jersey recently passed a law (N.J. S.A. 2C-1(c)4) known as “Jessica’s Law” in honor of a victim of a road rage accident. Also called a “Road Rage” law, the new legislation imposes harsh penalties. For example:
- If road rages cause a serious injury, drivers face between three and five years of incarceration and fines up to $15,000.
- If aggressive driving causes a less serious injury, drivers face 18 months of incarceration and a $10,000 fine.
These penalties are imposed for a variety of aggressive driving behaviors, including:
- Tailgating
- Weaving in and out of traffic lanes
- Speeding up unexpectedly.
The law punishes these behaviors under the Assault by Auto statutes and imposes the same penalties as those for causing drunk driving accidents.
If proven, allegations of road rage can subject a defendant to punitive damages in a civil lawsuit for money damages.
Contact a New Jersey Speeding Accident Lawyer
Drivers who behave in an aggressive manner and who cause injury are subject not only to criminal penalties but also to civil lawsuits. These negligent drivers can be sued by injured victims who are hurt in accidents caused by aggressive driving.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident where the other driver was speeding or otherwise behaving in a dangerous manner, it is important to take legal action. You may be able to recover damages exceeding those available under New Jersey personal injury protection (PIP) in the event your injuries are serious. These damages may include compensation for pain and suffering or wrongful death.
To learn more, contact an experienced New Jersey aggressive driving lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., today at 1-800-LAW-2000 or complete our online form. We can provide a free evaluation of your case. Because we want this initial consultation to be convenient for you, we can meet you in your home or your hospital, or we can speak by phone, Skype, FaceTime or GoToMeeting. We charge legal fees only if we recover money for you.