Physics Doesn't Lie
We’ve all seen them on the Lodge Freeway or I-696: drivers weaving through traffic as if they are on a closed racetrack. Speeding isn't just a minor traffic violation; it is a choice to endanger every other person on the road. The physics are simple but brutal—as speed increases, the energy involved in a crash grows exponentially. A collision at 70 mph isn't just twice as bad as one at 35 mph; it involves four times the destructive force.
In Michigan, speeding remains a primary contributor to catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. When a driver chooses to ignore the posted limit—or fails to slow down for rain, snow, or construction zones—they are legally negligent. However, after a crash, that driver will almost never admit they were speeding. They will claim they were "going the limit" or that you "pulled out in front of them." That’s where we come in.
Proving Speed When the Speedometer Stops
At Shiraz Law Firm, we don't rely on the other driver’s word. We use scientific methods to prove exactly how fast they were traveling at the moment of impact. This is crucial because proving excessive speed can often defeat a defense attorney's claim that you were partially at fault for the accident.
Our investigation team utilizes several high-tech and traditional methods:
- EDR (Event Data Recorder) Imaging: Most modern cars have a "Black Box" that records the speed, throttle position, and braking status in the five seconds before a crash. We use specialized hardware to download this data before it is overwritten or the car is crushed.
- Accident Reconstruction: By measuring the length of skid marks, the final resting positions of the vehicles, and the crush depth of the metal, our experts can calculate the minimum speed required to cause that specific amount of damage.
- Video Surveillance: In urban areas like Southfield or Detroit, we can often find doorbell cameras or commercial security footage that shows the vehicle in the seconds leading up to the crash.
Speeding in Work Zones and School Zones
Michigan law takes an even harsher stance on speeding in protected areas. If a driver causes an injury while speeding in a marked construction zone or a school zone, the legal consequences—and the potential for higher settlements—increase significantly. These areas have lower limits for a reason: the presence of vulnerable workers and children. A driver’s failure to obey these reduced limits is often viewed by juries as "gross negligence," which can significantly impact the value of a pain and suffering claim.
The "Too Fast for Conditions" Trap
In Michigan, you can be cited for speeding even if you are traveling under the posted speed limit. The "Basic Speed Law" requires drivers to operate at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic, surface, and width of the highway. If it’s a torrential downpour on the Southfield Freeway and a driver is doing 70 mph, they are speeding—even if the sign says 70. If they hydroplane into your vehicle, they are 100% liable for your injuries.
Don't Let a Reckless Driver Walk Away
The speeder who hit you might have a "clean" driving record or a friendly smile, but that doesn't change the fact that their recklessness has upended your life. Between medical appointments, lost income, and physical therapy, you have enough to worry about. Let Shiraz Law Firm handle the science of the crash. We know how to turn tire tracks and data chips into a winning legal strategy. If you’ve been hit by someone who thought their schedule was more important than your safety, contact us today for a free consultation.
