How Deadly Is Speeding When It Comes To New Haven Pedestrian Accidents
October 7, 2021
How fast is too fast when you’re driving in a populated area where there may be significant pedestrian traffic? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) any amount of speed in and around pedestrians can be deadly. In fact, if you are driving downtown and you get into a New Haven pedestrian accident it is very possible that you may severely injure or worse kill the pedestrian that you hit.
In nearly all of these types of accidents the speed of the vehicle which comes in contact with the pedestrian is a deciding factor in how badly the pedestrian is injured. The NHTSA reports that the faster a vehicle is traveling the more likely the pedestrian is to get severely injured or die at the hands of the driver. This risk significantly increases as the speed of the vehicle increases.
The exponential increase in risk based on the speed of the vehicle is alarming;
- A vehicle traveling at 20 mph that hits a pedestrian has a 13% of seriously injuring or killing the pedestrian
- When the speed increases to 30 mph the number of pedestrians who are in serious risk of injury or death increases to 40%
- At a speed of 40 mph there is near certainty that the pedestrian will get severely injured or die as the percentage chance that that happens jumps to a whopping 73%
It is clear when looking at these numbers how important it is to take posted speed limit signs seriously, especially in congested areas. It is also critical that drivers are aware of the new laws that have gone into affect in Connecticut around pedestrian safety. Speed in New Haven pedestrian accidents clearly injures or kills more people then when driving cautiously and safely.
If you or a loved one are injured in an accident that involved a vehicle that was speeding you may need to speak with an attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will speak with you regarding your case and work to help you protect your long-term interests.