Speeding is a Factor in 35% of Fatal Accidents in California

Speeding is a Factor in 35% of Fatal Accidents in California

Speeding is one of the most common and most dangerous driving behaviors on California roads. While many people think of it as a minor traffic offense, the reality is far more serious.

According to the UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC), speeding was a factor in 35% of all fatal crashes in California in one recent year. That’s far higher than the national average of 29% reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during that same timeframe.

These numbers highlight a troubling reality: California’s roads are deadlier when speed is involved. High-speed crashes often lead to catastrophic injuries, devastating families, and leaving survivors with lifelong challenges. Speaking with an experienced San Mateo car accident lawyer can help victims understand their legal rights and pursue full compensation after such serious collisions.

Let’s examine why speeding plays such a significant role in California crashes and how these accidents differ from ordinary collisions to help you protect your rights and pursue full recovery under California law if you are a speed-related accident victim.

Key Takeaways About How Speed Is Related to California Fatal Accidents

• Speeding contributes to more than one-third of fatal crashes in California, far above the national average.
  
• High-speed crashes produce catastrophic injuries and are often more complex from a legal standpoint.
  
• Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties report the most speeding-related fatalities in California.
  
• Proving that speeding was a factor can strengthen liability and support a demand for substantial damages in a catastrophic injury or wrongful death claim.
  
• Victims of high-speed crashes often face lifelong physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

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How Speeding Impacts Crash Severity and Survival Rates

Speeding isn’t just about breaking the law; it’s about physics. The faster a vehicle moves, the more energy it carries, and the greater the force of impact when a crash occurs. That force rises exponentially with speed, and when speeding and distracted driving occur together, the risk of a catastrophic crash increases dramatically.

For example, at 60 miles per hour (mph), a car has more than twice the kinetic energy it has at 40 mph. That means a small increase in speed can mean a massive increase in crash severity. When two vehicles collide at highway speeds, even modern safety features like airbags and crumple zones can’t absorb all the energy.

According to Berkeley University’s SafeTREC’s data, speeding-related fatalities in California rose 16.5% between 2020 and 2021. This was double the national rate of increase. The victims of these speed-related collisions are more likely to experience:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from violent deceleration.
  
• Spinal cord injuries or paralysis due to extreme force.
  
• Multiple fractures or internal organ damage.
  
• Fatal injuries where the body simply can’t withstand the impact.
  

For families, the devastation of losing a loved one or watching someone endure a catastrophic injury is profound. The statistics underscore a painful truth: speeding isn’t just a habit — it’s a deadly choice.

Comparing California’s 35% Rate to the National 29%

The national average tells only part of the story. The NHTSA’s 2021 Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes reports that speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year. 

But California’s numbers are worse: 35% of fatal crashes — representing 1,509 deaths — were speeding-related, according to SafeTREC’s 2023 Traffic Safety Facts report.

So, why does California see a higher rate? Many factors could play a role, including:

• Dense traffic combined with high-speed corridors: Highways like I-5, I-10, and U.S. 101 carry both commuter traffic and long-haul trucking, increasing the risk of speed-related crashes.
  
• Diverse geography: Mountain passes, desert highways, and coastal routes present dangerous conditions when drivers exceed safe speeds.
  
• Cultural factors: Many Californians commute long distances and are accustomed to driving fast, even in congested areas.
  

The report also showed that Los Angeles County led the state with 336 speeding-related fatalities in 2021, followed by San Bernardino (152) and Riverside (115). That means urban and suburban areas, not just rural highways, are seeing the deadliest consequences of speeding.

These data points are more than numbers. They represent families who’ve lost loved ones and survivors whose lives have been permanently changed.

Understanding What Qualifies as a “Speeding-Related” Crash

Not every crash that involves a speeding car is legally considered “speeding-related.” Both SafeTREC and the NHTSA define a speeding-related crash as one where a driver was:

• Racing,
  
• Driving too fast for conditions, or
  
• Exceeding the posted speed limit.
  

That means a driver can be speeding even without breaking the posted limit. For example, driving 55 mph in heavy rain on a curvy mountain road could still lead to a speeding-related crash.

When police or accident investigators analyze a crash, they look for evidence that speed contributed to the collision, such as:

• Tire marks and impact patterns.
  
• Damage profiles consistent with high-speed impact.
  
• Witness statements describing rapid or erratic movement.
  
• Data from a vehicle’s onboard “black box.”
  

If speeding is listed as a factor in a police report, that can become powerful evidence in a civil claim. Proving speed is more than a traffic issue — it’s about showing how the driver’s behavior directly caused or worsened the injuries and how victims can file a claim after a car accident to pursue compensation for those damages.

The Human Cost of Speeding-Related Collisions

Statistics can feel abstract until you consider what each number means in real life. In 2021 alone, 1,509 people were killed and thousands more seriously injured in speeding-related crashes across California.

The SafeTREC report identified the counties with the most severe outcomes, including both fatalities and serious injuries:

• Los Angeles County: 336 fatalities and 1,308 serious injuries.
  
• San Bernardino County: 152 fatalities and 351 serious injuries.
  
• San Diego County: 106 fatalities and 344 serious injuries.
  

For every fatality, many more survivors face lifelong challenges. Catastrophic injuries from high-speed crashes can mean:

• Permanent disability and loss of mobility.
  
• Chronic pain and multiple surgeries.
  
• Loss of income and independence.
  
• Emotional trauma, depression, and PTSD.
  

For families, these cases are not about “getting a settlement.” They pursue civil lawsuits to recover stability and seek justice after an act of extreme negligence.

What Evidence Can Be Used to Prove Speeding in Catastrophic Injury Cases?

Proving that a driver was speeding and that the speed caused the crash requires a detailed investigation. The following evidence is often critical:

• Police reports: Officers note estimated speed, visibility, road conditions, and contributing factors.
  
• Vehicle event data recorders (EDRs): These devices capture vehicle speed, throttle, and braking data seconds before impact.
  
• Traffic cameras and dashcams: Footage can verify the driver’s behavior leading up to the collision.
  
• Witness statements: Observations about racing, tailgating, or loss of control can support claims of recklessness.
  
• Accident reconstruction experts: Specialists use physics-based models to calculate speed and angles of impact.
  
• Medical evidence: The nature of injuries can corroborate high-speed impact forces.
  

Because much of this evidence can be lost or overwritten quickly, contacting an attorney early helps ensure that preservation letters are issued and key data is secured.

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How Speeding-Related Crashes Are Handled Under California Law

California’s Basic Speed Law (Vehicle Code §22350) states that no one may drive “at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, traffic, and the surface and width of the highway.”

This means even if a driver wasn’t exceeding the posted limit, they can still be found negligent if they were going too fast for conditions.

What is Negligence Per Se?

When a driver violates the speed law and causes a crash, they may be considered negligent per se. This means they are automatically presumed negligent because they broke a safety rule intended to protect others.

What is Comparative Negligence?

Under California’s comparative negligence rule, an injured person can still recover damages even if they share some fault. For example, if both drivers were speeding, each may bear a percentage of the blame.

How Does Recklessness Affect Punitive Damages?

Excessive speeding, especially when combined with intoxication or racing, may rise to the level of reckless driving or gross negligence. In such cases, courts may allow punitive damages to punish the driver and deter similar conduct.

How Do Criminal Penalties (or the Lack of Penalties) Affect a Civil Claim?

If a driver faces criminal charges for reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter, those charges, especially with a conviction or guilty plea, can support a civil claim for compensation. However, even if the other driver did not face criminal repercussions, victims and families can still file a civil claim to recover medical costs, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering from the at-fault driver.

What Steps Can Victims Take While Recovering After a High-Speed Crash?

Once you’ve received medical care, your next steps can significantly affect your long-term outcome, both physically and legally. Here are a few ways you can help protect yourself and your future.

Continue Medical Treatment

Follow your doctors’ recommendations, attend every appointment, and keep records of all visits, prescriptions, and therapies. Consistent treatment not only aids your recovery but also strengthens your injury claim.

Preserve Evidence

Keep copies of the police report, photos, medical records, and insurance correspondence. Store any videos or witness contact information safely.

Document the Impact

Track how your injuries affect your daily life, including any physical pain, mobility limits, emotional distress, and time away from work. This personal documentation supports your claim for non-economic damages.

Avoid Early Settlement Offers

Insurance companies may pressure accident victims to settle quickly. But high-speed crashes often lead to long-term complications that aren’t fully understood in the first few weeks after the accident. Never accept a settlement offer, especially a quick offer, without seeking legal advice first.

Consult an Experienced California Personal Injury Attorney

An attorney who regularly handles catastrophic injury cases can coordinate investigations, secure expert testimony, and calculate the true cost of your losses, including future care, reduced earning capacity, and emotional harm. In some situations, when settlement talks fail, car accident claims go to court to ensure victims receive the compensation they truly deserve.

FAQs About Speeding-Related Accidents in California

Trust Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos if You Were Injured in a Speeding-Related Accident in California

Speeding remains one of California’s deadliest driving behaviors, contributing to 35% of all fatal crashes statewide, and our state is well above the national average. If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a high-speed collision, you deserve legal guidance from a firm that understands the complexity and gravity of catastrophic injury cases.

Call Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos at (650) 345-8484 for a free consultation. The firm’s San Mateo-based attorneys represent clients across California in serious and fatal crash cases involving speeding, reckless driving, and other acts of negligence. Let their team help you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your future.

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