As roads across the country have been emptier during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some drivers are seeing these open highways as an invitation to speed. Many state troopers around the U.S. have witnessed an uptick in the number of drivers who have traveled over the speed limit, with some drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by an additional 60 miles per hour. Washington state is beginning to ease COVID-19 related restrictions in the upcoming weeks, so it’s important to look out for speeding drivers as you venture back on the road.
Reckless Behavior Behind the Wheel
State troopers in Washington state have issued a number of speeding tickets, but they reported that these speeds have been significantly higher than usual. One trooper pulled over a driver who was traveling at a speed of 127 miles per hour in a 60 miles per hour zone. Numerous other drivers have been ticketed for going over 100 miles per hour along highways whose speed limits are 60 or 65 miles per hour. Needless to say, excessive speeding can lead to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities if a crash occurs.
Taking Precautions
Washington state troopers are urging drivers to observe and obey the posted speed limit in order to keep themselves and their fellow drivers safe. In order to deter drivers from traveling at unsafe speeds, troopers are reminding Washington residents that even exceeding the speed limit by 20 miles per hour could result in a fine of $553 or more. Additionally, high-speed crashes are often devastating. As Trooper Chase Van Cleave told KOMO News, “It’s a very unforgiving thing, you know, to crash your car going 100+ miles per hour. It usually ends pretty tragically.”
What to do if You Are Involved in a Car Accident
Even if you’ve taken the necessary precautions to drive safely, accidents do occur. If you are injured in a car accident, you need to seek medical attention and gather any information you can about the other driver and any witnesses who saw what happened. Even if you don’t think you need immediate medical assistance, you should still schedule an appointment with a physician to make sure you didn’t suffer from any traumatic brain injuries or other conditions that may be harder to detect. Then, reach out to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can help you determine what steps you can take to recover compensation.
The warm and committed personal injury attorneys at Henderson Taylor Law Firm understand how overwhelming it can be to be involved in an auto accident. Call our Vancouver office at (360) 737-1478 today to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney so that you can begin your road to recovery.
