Speeding kills more people in Lubbock than any other driving behavior. In 2023 alone, excessive speed contributed to over 900 crashes across Lubbock County, leaving dozens dead and hundreds more with catastrophic injuries.
When drivers choose to speed on Loop 289, Interstate 27, or through campus intersections near Texas Tech, they gamble with everyone’s safety. As an experienced Lubbock speeding car accident lawyer, I’ve spent over two decades holding these reckless drivers accountable for the devastation they cause.
I’m James Perrin, and I represent victims of speeding accidents throughout West Texas. Insurance companies know that proving speed requires immediate action and specific evidence that often disappears within days of the crash.
They count on victims not understanding how Event Data Recorders work, how to preserve skid mark evidence, or what witness testimony actually matters in court. That’s why they push quick settlements before you realize the actual value of your claim.
At Perrin Law Injury & Accident Lawyer, I handle speeding accident cases differently. You work directly with me, not a paralegal or junior associate. As your speeding car accident attorney in Lubbock, Texas, I move fast to secure the evidence that proves the other driver was speeding, calculate the full impact on your life, and prepare your case for trial from day one.
This approach forces insurance companies to take your claim seriously because they know I won’t accept anything less than full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and the pain this preventable crash has caused you.
Common Speeding Crash Scenarios in Lubbock
Speeding transforms minor collisions into life-changing disasters. When drivers exceed safe speeds on Lubbock’s highways and city streets, they rob themselves and everyone around them of precious reaction time. I’ve represented countless victims whose lives were forever altered by someone else’s decision to drive too fast.
Rear-End Collisions at Highway Speeds
High-speed rear-end crashes on Interstate 27 and US-84 create devastating forces that crush vehicles and bodies alike. A speeding driver needs far more distance to stop safely, but physics doesn’t negotiate. These collisions frequently cause severe whiplash, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries that require months or years of medical treatment.
Red-Light and T-Bone Crashes From Speeding
Intersections become deadly when drivers race to beat traffic signals. At busy crossroads like 19th Street and University Avenue, a speeding driver who runs a red light creates a T-bone collision with catastrophic results. The side of your vehicle offers minimal protection against a speeding car, making these crashes particularly dangerous for passengers.
Loss of Control and Rollover at Excessive Speed
Taking curves on Loop 289 too fast removes a driver’s ability to maintain control of their vehicle. SUVs and pickup trucks face an even greater risk of rollover due to their higher center of gravity. When a speeding car leaves the roadway or flips, the injuries are often severe and permanent.
Too Fast for Conditions on Loop 289 and I-27
West Texas weather creates hazardous driving conditions that demand reduced speeds. Rain-slicked roads, sudden dust storms, and construction zones require drivers to slow down regardless of posted speed limits. A driver who fails to adjust their speed for conditions is negligent under Texas law, even if they weren’t technically speeding.
How a Speeding Car Accident Attorney in Lubbock Assists With Your Claim
Proving speeding requires immediate action because crucial evidence disappears quickly. As your speeding car accident lawyer in Lubbock, I move fast to preserve the proof you need while handling every aspect of your legal claim.
My approach includes several critical steps:
- Evidence preservation: I send spoliation letters immediately to prevent the destruction of vehicle data recorders and other crucial evidence.
- Expert coordination: I work with accident reconstruction specialists who can calculate pre-impact speeds using scientific methods and physical evidence.
- Insurance negotiations: I handle all communications with insurance adjusters who may attempt to blame you for failing to avoid the speeding driver.
- Trial preparation: I prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often leads to better settlement offers.
The sooner you contact a Lubbock speeding car accident lawyer, the stronger your case becomes. Evidence from speeding crashes vanishes quickly, so don’t wait.
What to Do After a Speed-Related Crash in Lubbock
The moments following a speeding accident are critical for both your health and your legal rights. Stay calm and focus on these essential steps to protect yourself.
Call 911 and Seek Medical Care
Your safety comes first, so call emergency services immediately. Even if you feel uninjured, adrenaline can mask severe trauma that needs immediate attention. UMC Health System and Covenant Medical Center provide excellent emergency care for crash victims. Getting prompt medical treatment also creates essential evidence for your injury claim.
Preserve Evidence, Photos, and Witness Information
Your vehicle’s Event Data Recorder captures speed and braking data from the moments before impact, but this information can be overwritten quickly. Take photos of skid marks, vehicle damage, road conditions, and speed limit signs. Get contact information from witnesses before they leave the scene, as their testimony can be crucial for proving the other driver was speeding.
Contact a Trial Lawyer Before Speaking to Insurers
Insurance adjusters will contact you within hours, seeking a recorded statement they can use against you later. Don’t give one. Tell them you need to speak with your Lubbock car accident attorney first, then call me immediately. I’ll handle all insurance communications to protect your rights and prevent them from minimizing your claim.
How I Prove Speeding With Evidence That Lasts
Speeding drivers leave behind a trail of physical and digital evidence that can prove their negligence. I know how to find, preserve, and present this proof to build the strongest possible case for my clients.
Event Data Recorder Downloads and Analysis
Modern vehicles contain Event Data Recorders that capture speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before a collision. This “black box” data provides objective evidence of a driver’s speed at impact. I work quickly to download this information before it’s lost or destroyed, then have it analyzed by qualified experts.
Skid Marks, Crush Damage, and Scene Mapping
The laws of physics don’t lie about vehicle speeds. The length of skid marks and the severity of vehicle damage tell a story that accident reconstruction experts can read clearly. I use advanced techniques, such as drone photography, to document crash scenes and obtain precise measurements that prove excessive speed.
Dashcam, Surveillance, and GPS Evidence
Video evidence provides compelling proof of speeding that juries can easily understand. I immediately search for traffic cameras, business security footage, and dashcam recordings from other drivers. When necessary, I can subpoena cell phone and GPS records that show a driver’s location and speed before the crash.
Who Is Liable When Speed Causes a Crash?
While the speeding driver bears primary responsibility, other parties may also share liability for your injuries. I investigate every case thoroughly to identify all potential sources of compensation.
Multiple parties can be held accountable:
- Employers: Companies are liable when their employees speed while working or driving company vehicles.
- Bars and restaurants: Texas Dram Shop laws hold establishments responsible when they over-serve customers who then cause drunk driving accidents.
- Government entities: Cities and counties can be liable for dangerous road designs or missing traffic-control devices that contribute to speeding-related crashes.
Does Speeding Mean Negligence in Texas?
Yes, speeding typically establishes negligence under Texas law. When a driver violates traffic safety laws, courts apply negligence per se, meaning the law violation automatically establishes the driver was negligent. Texas Transportation Code requires drivers to operate at reasonable speeds and obey posted limits. This legal principle significantly strengthens your case compared with accidents where fault is less clear.
Can Speeding Lead to Punitive Damages?
In extreme cases, speeding may justify punitive damages to deter particularly reckless behavior. Texas requires proof of “gross negligence,” a conscious disregard for others’ safety. Examples that may warrant punitive damages include street racing, excessive speeding, or speeding while intoxicated. Texas law places limits on punitive damages in personal injury cases; the amount that may be awarded depends on statutory rules and the specifics of the claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Speeding Crash?
Texas law allows you to recover full compensation for all losses caused by a speeding driver. I work to document every impact the crash has had on your life and future.
Medical Expenses and Future Care
You can recover all medical costs related to your injuries, from emergency treatment to long-term rehabilitation. This includes ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications. For severe injuries, I work with life care planners to calculate the cost of future medical needs over your lifetime.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, you deserve compensation for lost income. This includes both wages you’ve already missed and future earning capacity if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work. I help document these losses for all types of workers, including self-employed individuals and gig economy workers.
Pain, Suffering, and Loss of Enjoyment
Physical pain and emotional trauma deserve compensation beyond just medical bills. You can recover damages for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and your inability to enjoy activities you once loved. Texas doesn’t cap non-economic damages in most car accident cases, allowing juries to award what they deem fair.
Vehicle Repair, Replacement, and Diminished Value
Your claim includes property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings. Even after repairs, your car may be worth less than before the accident. You can seek compensation for the diminished value and for rental car expenses while your vehicle is being repaired.
How Texas Laws Affect Speeding Crash Claims
Two key Texas laws significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Understanding these rules helps you make informed decisions about your case.
Statute of Limitations: Two Years for Injury Claims
Texas gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation forever, regardless of how strong your case might be. Claims against government entities have even shorter notice requirements, often just six months. I ensure all deadlines are met while building the strongest possible case.
Comparative Negligence: Recovery if Under 51% at Fault
Texas follows modified comparative fault rules, allowing you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. As long as you’re 50% or less at fault, you can still receive compensation reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies often seek to shift blame to victims to minimize payouts, which is why experienced legal representation is crucial.
Will Your Speeding Case Settle or Go to Trial?
Most personal injury cases resolve through settlement negotiations, but I prepare every case for trial from the beginning. This approach gives you maximum leverage during negotiations and often convinces insurance companies to offer fair settlements rather than risk an unpredictable jury verdict.
Settlement typically takes 6-18 months and involves private negotiations where you control the final decision. Trials can take 1-3 years but may result in higher compensation awards. The key is having an attorney who’s genuinely prepared for either outcome.
Why Hire Perrin Law Injury & Accident Lawyer for a Speeding Crash
You need an advocate who will give your case the personal attention it deserves. With over 20 years of experience representing injured Texans, I understand how insurance companies operate and what it takes to get fair compensation. You’ll work directly with me, not a paralegal or junior associate.
My trial-ready approach and deep knowledge of Lubbock courts mean insurance companies take my clients’ cases seriously. I handle every case on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless I win your case. My success depends entirely on getting you the compensation you deserve.
Free Consultation With a Speeding Car Accident Lawyer in Lubbock
Don’t let insurance companies decide what your case is worth. I offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your accident and explain your legal options. Please bring your police report, medical records, and any photos you have so I can provide an honest assessment of your claim.
Time is critical to expediting cases because evidence degrades quickly. The sooner you contact me, the stronger your case becomes. I’m available to start protecting your rights immediately.
Speeding crashes demand immediate action. Call me now or complete our contact form for a free case review. I’ll personally evaluate your claim and start protecting your rights today.
Speeding Crash FAQs
Can I Still Recover Compensation if the Other Driver Wasn’t Ticketed for Speeding?
Yes, you can still win your case without a speeding ticket. I use accident reconstruction, witness statements, and vehicle data to prove the other driver was speeding even when police don’t issue citations.
How Do You Prove Speeding Without a Police Citation?
I combine multiple forms of evidence, including Event Data Recorder downloads, skid mark analysis, surveillance footage, and expert accident reconstruction, to calculate pre-crash speeds scientifically.
What Types of Speeding Cases Qualify for Punitive Damages in Texas?
Extreme cases like street racing, driving 20+ mph over the limit, or speeding while intoxicated may qualify for punitive damages if they show gross negligence or conscious disregard for safety.
Can I Recover Damages if I Was Also Speeding When the Accident Occurred?
Texas comparative fault laws allow recovery if you’re 50% or less at fault, though your percentage of responsibility for the crash will reduce your compensation.
Is Accident Reconstruction Necessary for Every Speeding Case?
While not required for every case, accident reconstruction provides robust scientific evidence that’s particularly valuable in severe injury cases or when the other driver disputes their speed.
