Driving at excessive speeds is a very dangerous activity. Speeding drivers may have difficulty controlling their vehicles and slowing down when motorists in front of them need to brake. Furthermore, they are prone to ignoring traffic signals and veering outside of their lanes. Thankfully, speeding drivers usually can be sued for harmful accidents they cause.
Unlike other states, Texas does not have an “absolute speeding” law. Rather, the Texas law prohibits driving at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing circumstances. This means that even though there are posted speed limits, there can be situations where surpassing those limits is considered legal. For example, driving 65 mph on a road with a posted speed limit of 60 mph may be allowed if there are clear weather conditions.
After getting into a crash involving a speeding driver, seek help from our experienced Arlington car accident lawyers by calling The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797.
Speeding Laws in Arlington, TX
Many states have “absolute speeding laws” that prohibit travelling at speeds faster than posted speed limits. For instance, under absolute speeding laws, a driver could technically be ticketed for travelling 71 mph in a zone with a posted speed limit of 70 mph.
However, Texas has no such law. Rather, Texas has set forth what is known as a “prima facie” or “presumed” speeding law. Under this law, a motorist is prohibited from travelling at a speed greater than what is reasonably prudent under the existing circumstances. Accordingly, exceeding posted speed limits may be allowed under certain circumstances.
For example, you may be able to travel 65 mph on a road with a posted speed limit of 60 mph on a bright and sunny day. Meanwhile, travelling 65 mph on that road at night under icy conditions may be considered a violation of the presumed speeding law.
What a safe speed is can vary drastically depending on several circumstances. If you are involved in a crash where you are cited for speeding, then our Arlington personal injury attorneys may be able to prove you are not guilty by arguing that your speed was safe.
Can You Sue a Speeding Driver After an Accident in Arlington, TX?
Accidents caused by speeding drivers are prone to causing severe injuries. For instance, those who are struck by speeding drivers regularly suffer broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and debilitating soft tissue injuries. Accordingly, victims typically can pursue claims for significant compensation from at-fault motorists.
If you were injured because of an accident caused by a speeding driver, then you may be able to sue them for damages you incurred. For your lawsuit to succeed, you will have to present evidence that proves the defendant is to blame. Fortunately, there are several types of evidence that can be used to establish that speeding drivers are at fault.
The Cost of Speeding Tickets in Arlington, TX
The cost of a speeding ticket in Arlington can very drastically. Typically, the amount drivers are fined will be determined by how fast they were travelling. In 2023, a speeding motorist in Arlington can expect to pay between $180 and $200 as a baseline amount for their ticket. Furthermore, a speeding driver may be charged an additional $8 to $16 for each mph over the presumed speed limit.
Furthermore, damages in Texas car accident lawsuits will be awarded based on parties’ percentages of fault. Accordingly, if you were speeding at the time of your crash, you may be limited in the amount of financial compensation you can recover. As an example, if you were found to be 20% liable for your collision while the defendant is 80% to blame, then the defendant will only be ordered to pay for 80% of the damages you suffered while you must account for the leftover 20%. If you are deemed to be over 50% responsible for your accident, then you will be unable to seek any compensation whatsoever.
Can You Be Arrested for Speeding in Arlington, TX?
You usually cannot be arrested for speeding in Texas. The only time you may be detained is if you are cited for speeding and refuse to sign your citation. Still, there are other traffic offenses potentially stemming from excessive speed that can result in your arrest.
One of such offenses is reckless driving. Reckless driving involves any conduct where drivers exhibit a willful disregard for the safety of other people and their property. For example, someone who engages in drag racing on a public road may be found guilty of reckless driving. Furthermore, a speeding driver travelling the wrong way on a one-way street may also be arrested for reckless driving. This offense can be met with fines up to $200 and prison sentences of up to 30 days.
Also, some speeding drivers may be pulled over and arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). If you are pulled over for speeding and show signs of impairment, then you may be detained.
Common Injuries Caused by High-Speed Accidents in Arlington, TX
Crashes caused by speeding drivers can lead to substantial harm. For instance, victims of high-speed accidents regularly incur broken bones. These injuries are usually sustained when people make impacts with hard objects inside of their vehicles. They are often highly painful and debilitating.
Furthermore, victims of high-speed crashes often sustain traumatic brain injuries. These injuries typically stem from physical blows to the head. In many cases, the symptoms produced by traumatic brain injuries severely restrict victims’ abilities to work and enjoy their lives.
Finally, spinal cord damage is another serious type of harm caused by accidents that happen at high speeds. These injuries can also produce high degrees of pain. In especially severe cases, victims can incur partial or complete paralysis. Thankfully, if you suffered spinal cord damage as the result of a collision caused by a speeding driver, then you may be entitled to significant compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you incurred.
Victims of Accidents Caused by Speeding Drivers in Arlington, TX Can Call Our Attorneys for Help
Seek support from our experienced Arlington truck accident attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm by calling (817) 476-1797.