Speeding Accidents in New Haven
Speed limits aren’t arbitrary numbers posted on signs—they are carefully calculated to keep everyone safe. But on New Haven’s streets, some drivers treat them as suggestions. If you have been hurt in a crash caused by a speeding driver, you have the right to hold them accountable for the harm that you have suffered.
Contact a New Haven car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and seek compensation. Schedule your free consultation. Here’s what you need to know about speeding accidents in New Haven.
Connecticut’s Speeding Laws and Penalties
Connecticut enforces two primary types of speed restrictions:
- Basic Speeding Law: Connecticut prohibits driving faster than what’s reasonable given the current conditions. This means drivers must adjust their speed based on factors like traffic density, road width, and weather conditions. Even if you are traveling below the posted limit, you can still receive a citation for traveling unreasonably fast if the conditions demand slower speeds.
- Absolute Speed Limits: These are straightforward maximum speeds—exceed them, and you’ve broken the law. Connecticut’s statewide maximum speed limit is 65 miles per hour, typically applied on rural state freeways. Urban residential and business districts generally have 25-mile-per-hour limits, while urban freeways range from 45 to 55 miles per hour.
The consequences for speeding vary based on how much the driver exceeded the limit and where the violation occurred. For example, driving 10 miles per hour over the limit carries $167 in fines and fees, while going 22 or more miles per hour over increases that amount to $226.
The Dangers of Speeding on New Haven Roads
Higher speeds dramatically reduce reaction time and increase stopping distances. When something unexpected happens—such as a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk, a car changing lanes, or a traffic light turning red—speeding drivers cannot respond fast enough. This can easily lead to a serious accident.
The physics of speeding are unforgiving. Crash severity increases exponentially with speed, turning what might have been a minor collision into a catastrophic crash with life-altering injuries or fatalities. When drivers prioritize speed over safety, everyone around them becomes vulnerable.
Holding Speeding Drivers Accountable for Your Damages
When a speeding driver causes your injuries, Connecticut law gives you the right to hold them accountable. You can pursue a legal claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company to recover compensation for your losses.
These damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages, if you lost a loved one in the crash
To secure compensation, you must prove that the speeding driver’s negligence caused your injuries. This means demonstrating that the driver had a duty to obey traffic laws and drive safely, breached that duty by speeding, and directly caused the accident that resulted in your damages.
Contact a New Haven Accident Lawyer Today
Drivers who ignore speed limits turn roads into danger zones. When they cause a collision, innocent people pay the price. If you have been injured because someone was in too much of a hurry to obey the law, Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante will fight for your right to justice. Contact us at (203) 333-3333 to explore your legal options with a New Haven car accident attorney.