What Are the Consequences of Speeding in Tennessee?

Drivers who operate their vehicles at a high rate of speed have less control of their automobiles than those who obey the traffic rules. In Tennessee, speeding can come with heavy fines depending on how far over the posted speed limit a driver is traveling. Unfortunately, a ticket will be the least of a driver’s worries if the violation causes a collision with another car, a motorcycle, or a pedestrian. In those cases, the offending driver will be responsible for the injuries and damage that was done as a result of the incident.

What Are the Tennessee Speeding Laws?

The state of Tennessee requires all drivers to maintain a safe speed on the road. This speed could vary depending on the conditions of the day and also in what county a motorist is traveling. Tennessee does have absolute speed limits for certain types of roadways:

• 15 mph in school zones
• 65 mph on state highways
• 70 mph on highways with four or more lanes traveling in the same direction

Going even one mile per hour faster than these limits can be charged as speeding, and not only will motorists be ticketed, they could also see their insurance rates increase dramatically.

Drivers may face serious fines and penalties, especially if their speed far exceeds the posted limit. A speeding ticket will also cause points to be added to a driver's driving record, and accumulating 12 or more points in one year can result in the suspension of a person's driver's license. The point values for different types of speeding offenses are as follows:

• 1 point for 1-5 mph over the speed limit
• 3 points for 6-15 mph over the speed limit
• 4 points for 16-25 mph over the speed limit
• 5 points for 26-35 mph over the speed limit
• 6 points for 36-45 mph over the speed limit
• 8 points for 46 mph or more over the speed limit

Types of Collisions and Injuries Caused By Speeding

Driving too fast gives motorists less time to react to the actions of other drivers around them. This means they have less control if they need to brake suddenly or change lanes. Common accidents that could occur from speeding include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Side-swiping an adjacent car
• Running a red light and hitting oncoming traffic
• Striking a pedestrian due to failure to yield
• Total loss of control resulting in a collision with other cars or fixed objects

Whether speeding results in a single-car collision or a multiple-car incident, these accidents can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, brain damage, whiplash, and paralysis. Tennessee is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident may be held accountable for compensating any victims for medical bills and auto repairs that were directly related to the crash.

Contact a Jacksboro, TN Personal Injury Attorney

Speeding is reckless driving behavior that could lead to serious injuries for others. If you or your loved one have been the victim of a car accident in Tennessee that involves a speeding driver, you may be able to seek damages. The legal team at the Law Offices of William F. Evans will build a strong case on your behalf and help you receive the compensation that will allow you to make a recovery and move on with your life. To schedule a free consultation with our tenacious Campbell County car accident lawyers, call our office today at 423-449-7980.

Source:

https://www.state.tn.us/safety/driver-services/reinstatements/values.html

https://www.state.tn.us/safety/driver-services/driverimprovement.html