Speeding decreases the time motorists can react to road hazards, increases crash force, and affects a driver’s control. It’s no surprise, then, that speeding is a leading cause of traffic fatalities.
But what do the statistics say? San Antonio personal injury lawyer Dr. Louis Patino and his team have compiled the latest available data to reveal up-to-date statistics on speeding fatalities and compared it to earlier data to show whether speeding has become a greater concern over recent years.
We also explore the reasons drivers speed despite its dangers, outline the potential criminal and civil consequences speeding drivers face, and explain your legal options if you’re injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Statistics on Speeding-Related Deaths
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the leading authority on traffic accidents and their causes.
For over two decades, speeding has been involved in roughly one-third of motor vehicle fatalities, and the precise percentage has only increased over recent years. In 2018, we reported the NHTSA’s finding that speeding was a factor in 26% of all road fatalities. Based on 2022 data, this figure has increased to 29%, with speeding killing 12,151 people.
How Many Accidents Are Caused By Speeding in Texas?
Texas is one of the most dangerous states for traffic fatalities. Year after year, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has urged motorists to come together to prioritize safe driving, and while overall fatalities have fallen over recent years — a welcome result — the tragic reality is this:
The last deathless day on Texas roads was November 7th, 2000.
But how many of these fatal accidents are caused by speeding drivers? We’ve collected data from TxDOT’s annual Crash Facts documents and the Crash Records Information System (C.R.I.S.) from the past five years to reveal the full picture.
| Year | Total Fatalities | Fatalities Caused by Speeding-Related Crashes | Percentage of Speeding-Related Deaths |
| 2019 | 3,623 | 917 | 25.3% |
| 2020 | 3,896 | 1,052 | 27% |
| 2021 | 4,456 | 1,179 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 4,481 | 1,086 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 4,283 | 1,085 | 25.3% |
These percentages come just under the national average of 29%, but, notably, speeding-related deaths increased in 2023 despite the total number of fatalities decreasing from 2022.
Areas in Greater San Antonio We Serve
Why Do People Speed?
Many factors contribute to an individual speeding, but ultimately, it is an aggressive driving behavior. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) defines speeding as “exceeding the posted speed limit, driving too fast for conditions, or racing.”
But, why do motorists do it? There are multiple reasons behind this common driver behavior:
Traffic Congestion
The most common contributing factor to speeding is congested roads. Researchers cite busy streets as a trigger for drivers becoming frustrated, impatient, and, therefore, aggressive. Aggressive behavior can include suddenly accelerating or excessively changing lanes.
Running Late
If a driver is running late, they may speed to get to their destination on time.
A Sense of Anonymity
Drivers can feel anonymous when driving, thinking other motorists and pedestrians won’t easily identify them. This sense of detachment can make drivers feel less constrained in their actions and more likely to take risks.
“Because Everybody Does It”
Drivers are prone to following the actions of others — if one driver accelerates, another is likely to do the same, even if it takes them over the speed limit. They might see other drivers pushing the speed limit or witness police officers allow speeding drivers to pass without accountability, creating the perception they can get away with it.
Are More Accidents Caused By Speeding Than We Know About?
Few accidents happen because of a single factor. When law enforcement investigates a crash, they may cite several “contributing factors” and “potential contributing factors” in their report, ranging from distracted driving and unsafe lane changes to driving while intoxicated.
When multiple factors are at play, other factors, including speeding, might not be explicitly cited in a crash report, especially if another factor played a more prominent role in causing the accident. This can lead to underreporting of speeding-related incidents in official statistics. Minor accidents caused by speeding may even go unreported altogether, further skewing the data.
How Does Speeding Affect Drivers?
Speeding decreases reaction times, giving drivers less time to make split-second decisions to avoid crashes, such as braking or swerving.
Speeding cars also dissipate more energy. When a moving car strikes an object, whether another vehicle or a guardrail, it transfers a force — and the higher the speed, the greater the impact.
What Injuries Can Speeding Cause?
Speeding resulting in accidents can cause severe injuries from the impact of the collision, including:
- Internal organ damage: Broken ribs can puncture your heart, lungs, or other organs. Your internal organs can also bruise and swell, as the crash impact presses your organs against your bones and chest wall.
- Broken bones and fractures: Limbs can easily strike vehicle parts, causing broken bones, fractures, and bruising.
- Seatbelt injuries: Seatbelts save lives, but they can also cause injuries of their own. In a speeding accident, the seatbelt restricts your torso to prevent you from propelling forward. However, this restriction can break the ribs or collarbone and cause lacerations on your torso, collarbone, and neck.
- Head and brain injuries: Whiplash from rear-end collisions can cause head and neck injuries. Other head and brain injuries can result if your head hits the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, side window, or other objects.
- Spinal injuries: You may experience herniated and ruptured disc injuries or spinal fractures. People injured in speeding car accidents can also experience issues with surrounding ligaments and vertebrae.
- Neck and back injuries: Whiplash can also injure the soft tissue and muscles in your neck and lower back, with pain varying from minor to severe.
- Soft tissue injuries: Muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries can occur in any type of car accident, including those caused by speeding.
- Delayed pain: Adrenaline often courses through the body after an accident, preventing you from feeling immediate pain. You can experience injuries without immediate signs or symptoms, so you should always seek medical attention even if you feel fine.
- Paralysis: Some speeding accidents can result in full or partial paralysis.
- Death: Because of the force generated by speeding accidents, many crashes are fatal.
What Are the Criminal Consequences of Speeding?
Speeding is illegal in all states, but specific criminal charges and penalties vary by jurisdiction. If officers catch someone speeding, the driver can face sanctions, including tickets, fines, and license suspensions.
If someone speeds excessively or causes injuries to another, they can also face criminal charges. For example, if a speeding accident results in a victim’s death, a prosecutor can charge the driver with vehicular manslaughter.
What Are the Civil Consequences of Speeding?
The Texas Transportation Code Section 545.351 states: “An operator may not drive at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing.”
Breaking this law and causing an accident can lead to financial consequences beyond a fine. If someone causes property damage or injuries to another, they may be liable for paying substantial compensation.
Can I Receive Compensation If a Speeding Driver Caused My Injuries?
If a speeding driver causes your injuries or damages your property, you can file a civil claim.
To pursue a claim, you must show:
- The driver owed you a duty of reasonable care.
- The driver breached that duty.
- The breach of duty caused your injuries.
- You experienced damages (such as physical injuries and financial loss) because of your injuries.
Speeding typically falls under negligence per se, which automatically satisfies the first two elements of proof when a driver has broken the law. If you can prove the other driver was speeding via the accident report and eyewitness testimony, Texas law accepts that the driver was negligent. Then, you need to prove your injuries and that the accident caused them.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive If a Speeding Driver Caused My Injuries?
You can recover compensation for various losses in a personal injury claim. The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim and your attorney will assess the following:
- Medical bills and expenses, including ambulance costs, hospital bills, doctor’s visits, prescription costs, and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost wages if you had to miss work because of your injuries.
- Lost future income if your injury prevents you from returning to work — whether temporarily or entirely.
- Loss of companionship for the emotional damages and trauma you’ve suffered if you’ve lost a loved one in a speeding accident.
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve suffered because of a speeding driver’s negligent actions.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit If a Speeding Driver Caused My Injuries?
The statute of limitations for bringing a claim to receive compensation is two years from your accident in Texas. Exceptions can apply, so it’s recommended to consult an attorney as soon as possible to understand your options.
Should I Contact a Car Accident Attorney?
If a speeding driver caused your injuries or the loss of your loved one, we highly advise consulting an accident attorney before discussing a settlement offer with the driver, their lawyer, or their insurance company. A car accident attorney can help you navigate the aftermath of your accident and navigate the legal processes to receive the compensation you deserve.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help after a Speeding Accident?
A car accident attorney can help guide you through the legal processes of receiving the compensation you deserve for your injuries sustained in a crash resulting from speeding.
Our McAllen and San Antonio personal injury lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim.
- Evaluate the impact of the other driver’s actions on your injuries and resulting damages, using their analysis to support your claim.
- Develop an efficient and effective legal strategy to secure the compensation you deserve.
- Negotiate with defense lawyers and insurance companies to ensure your settlement fairly compensates you for your past and future losses.
- Represent you in court if settlement negotiations fail, including researching relevant case law and statutes to support your claim, filing a complaint, completing discovery, deposing expert witnesses, and presenting your case to a jury.
Losing a loved one or experiencing injuries and other damages after a speeding car accident can be overwhelming. Our personal injury attorney is dedicated to supporting you by advocating for your legal rights and getting you the fair compensation you deserve to aid in your recovery. To find out if you have a claim, call 855-LAW NINJA or fill in the contact form. You won’t pay any legal fees until we win your case.
