Speeding increases the risk of traffic fatalities

At the end of November, 2021, a speeding accident in Weslaco, Texas took the lives of two young people. The car was traveling at high speed, and the driver lost control near the intersection of Westgate and Mile 11 North. Consequently, the vehicle crashed into a concrete wall. EMTs pronounced the driver and passenger dead at the accident scene. The driver was Garret Garcia, age 22, and the passenger was Armando Castillo, who was 15 years old.

Valleycentral.com reported the high speed crash incident along with its tragic details on November 23, 2021.

Texas accident rates in 2021 increased over 2020

According to KXAN, Texas roadways in 2021 saw 11 more traffic fatalities per day than in 2020. In fact, TxDOT officials stated that 2020 had the highest fatality statistics in close to 30 years. It’s hard to imagine that 2021 was worse, but it was.

What was the major cause of death? Speeding.

As of November 2021, the total number of people in Texas killed due to speeding was 1,174.

Facts about speeding

For more than two decades, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has assigned speeding as a cause for approximately one-third of all U.S. motorist fatalities. However, speeding is not only a danger for other drivers. Driving too fast is dangerous to drivers and passengers in the speeding vehicle. It is especially dangerous when you drive too fast during bad weather or on roads under repair. Speeding at night is more dangerous because visibility is poor.

Factors that contribute to speeding danger include:

  • Potential to lose control of the vehicle
  • Increased risk of severe injury or death due to forceful impact
  • Inability to stop because the distance to stop increases based on speed
  • Decreased effectiveness of seat belts and air bags due to forceful collisions

Were you a victim of a car accident in Weslaco, Texas?

Find out about your rights to recover compensation for serious injuries. Initial consultations are free, and you owe no out-of-pocket expenses if we take your case. Keep in mind, an experienced lawyer can help you recover fair compensation. Compensation can help you cover the high medical costs and other expenses involved with serious accidents.

At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have successfully represented clients in accident cases in Corpus Christi, Weslaco, South Padre Island and other areas statewide.