Excessive speed was a primary factor in a recent accident on Interstate 75 that injured four teenagers. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 18-year-old driver of a Maxima was going about 130 miles per hour near Gibsonton when he lost control of the vehicle.
Law enforcement officials say the car had about a quarter-pound of marijuana and liquor inside, and the driver did not have his headlights on despite the fact that it was around 12:30 a.m. The driver and one of his passengers were not wearing seatbelts and were thrown from the vehicle upon impact, and emergency medical personnel transported them to a local hospital.
Two other passengers were wearing seatbelts and suffered only minor injuries.
Speeding can be reckless
Although there were several traffic violations in play, this recent car accident highlights just how dangerous it can be to travel at high rates of speed — even on interstate highways. When motorists speed, especially to the degree in this case, they are much more likely to lose control and may not be able to slow down or stop quickly enough to avoid hazards in the road. To that end, speeding can be incredibly negligent.
Younger motorists should be especially cautious, as they tend to have much less experience than those who have been driving for many years.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash due to another driver’s reckless or negligent actions, you may need to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. For further guidance, consult a Bradenton car accident lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.