Exceeding speed limits can result in more than just speeding tickets. Speeding is one of the leading causes of serious traffic accidents in Texas, according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation.
The faster a vehicle moves, the longer it takes the driver to stop in an emergency, and the greater the force of impact in a crash. That often means more serious and catastrophic injuries for people involved in these crashes.
If you were injured in a speeding accident, an understanding of the speed limit laws in Texas can help you prove that the other driver acted carelessly. It can also support a legal claim that lets you hold the speeding driver financially responsible for the harm they caused you.
Overview of Texas Speed Limit Laws
Texas speed limit laws set default speed limits based on road type and location. For example, the basic speed law says 30 mph is the limit in most urban areas unless signs say otherwise. On state highways, the default is 70 mph. But those numbers can change.
The Texas Transportation Commission and local governments can raise or lower limits after traffic and safety studies. However, once a sign is posted, the listed limit becomes the standard for that stretch of road.
Driving faster than the posted speed limit can create a presumption that the driver was not exercising ordinary care, which is the standard in a claim based on negligence. And negligence is the legal basis for claiming and recovering for injuries and damages in a car crash or truck crash in the state of Texas.
Texas Law on Speed Limit Signs and Driver Responsibility
The number on a speed limit sign is not a recommendation. It is an enforceable traffic law. When drivers see a posted limit, they must adjust their speed accordingly.
Texas law makes clear that no one should drive faster than what is safe for the road, traffic, and weather conditions, even if that means driving under the posted speed limit. But exceeding the posted limit is evidence that a driver was not exercising ordinary care and may have broken the law.
That matters if a speeding driver causes a crash. Ignoring a speed limit sign shows a lack of basic caution, especially in areas like school zones, construction zones, or busy city streets.
How Excess Speed Impacts Liability in Personal Injury Claims
In a personal injury case, a driver who exceeds the speed limit and causes a crash is more likely to be determined negligent and thus responsible for injuries caused by the crash. In part that is because exceeding speed limits is evidence of a violation of basic traffic safety rules.
If a crash victim can show the other driver was speeding, it often strengthens their case. A speeding violation supports the argument that the driver acted unreasonably and failed to use ordinary care. The speeding driver and their insurance company can then be held be liable for paying compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more in a car accident claim.
Even a few miles per hour over the limit could influence the outcome of a car accident claim, especially if the speed was even more dangerous due to road conditions like rain, fog, or low light.
Our Experienced Texas Speeding Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help You
If a speeding driver injured you in a car accident, The Callahan Law Firm can help you in your claim for injuries and damages. For more than 30 years, our firm has focused on representing individuals and families in personal injury cases. Your initial consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless a recover is made in your case.
We are available to talk in person, over the phone, or by text, email, or video – whatever works best for you. Contact us online today to get started. We have an office conveniently located at 440 Louisiana St #2050, Houston, TX. We take your injury personally. Visit us!
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