Speeding Remains The Number One Cause of Car Accidents in Wisconsin

Distracted driving and drunk driving garner headlines as being leading causes of car accidents, but in Wisconsin, the number one cause of roadway accidents can be traced back to speeding. This problem is overlooked as a serious cause of accidents and yet, some drivers speed nearly every time they drive.

In 2020, there were 15,995 vehicle accidents attributed to speeding in the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This resulted in 194 deaths. When speeding is suspected as being a factor, attorneys for both the victims and the defendants will collect and present evidence to build their case. In this post, we will take a look at some of the evidence sought.

How Attorneys Determine if Speeding Was a Factor in a Car Accident

Although witnesses and accident victims may believe speed was a factor in the accident based on their observations, car accident attorneys and investigators look for several pieces of evidence to determine if speed played a role in an accident. The attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices will conduct their own investigation of the facts, by examining the following types of evidence:

• Photos of the Scene. Photographs or videos of the scene will be examined to help build a case. This includes scene photos as well as close-ups of damage to vehicles or other property or roadway evidence such as skid marks or debris. These photos can provide crucial, unobjective evidence that can help prove that excessive speed played a role in the accident.
• Witness Statements. Witnesses of the accident can help corroborate what the photographs show or what they missed and provide a valuable perspective on what happened.
• Reviewing the Police Report. Your attorney will examine the official police report to see if any preliminary conclusions were made and what, if any, citations were given and to whom.
• Video footage. Speed cameras and surveillance cameras from private property may have captured the scene or the time leading up to the accident and can be used to determine if a driver was speeding. Your attorney will be able to subpoena this footage to help build your case.
• Damage Reports. Mechanics and automotive experts may be called in to assess the impact damage to your vehicle, which can help determine if excessive speed was a factor.
• Electronic Data from the Vehicle. Newer model vehicles are equipped with onboard event data recorders (EDRs). Similar to airplane “black boxes”, EDRs capture vehicle speed, the use of the brakes, and other key data elements. This electronic record can provide vital evidence into the vehicle’s operation leading up to and during the accident.

Our car accident attorneys conduct thorough examinations of the evidence to build the strongest case possible for accident victims. This examination and presentation of evidence helps our clients obtain the full compensation to which they are due after an accident while allowing the victim the time and space they need to recover from their injuries.

Meet With a Car Accident Attorney at Eisenberg Law

Speeding is a pervasive problem in Wisconsin. It can happen in cities or rural areas, on highways or residential streets, and in all sorts of weather conditions. Victims of accidents in which speed was a factor, often do not have time to react and suffer the consequences of another’s actions without even an opportunity to protect themselves and through no fault of their own.

If you have been involved in a car accident in Wisconsin and believe speed played a factor in the accident, contact our office to arrange a free consultation. You will meet with an accident attorney to share the details of your case and find out if you have grounds for pursuing compensation. Call Eisenberg Law Offices at 608-256-8356 or email us at info@eisenberglaw.org to schedule your consultation.