City Officials Reduce the Speed Limit in Downtown Columbus, Ohio
Every year, speeding causes countless auto accidents throughout the country. We all know that speeding is illegal behavior that endangers our lives and those of others on the road. Unfortunately, many drivers remain undeterred and continue to drive faster than posted speed limits or too fast for road conditions.
In hopes of reducing accidents and fatalities in Columbus, city officials have recently taken steps to discourage this kind of reckless behavior. Specifically, speed limits have been reduced from 35 to 25 mph in the streets of downtown Columbus.
Passed by the Columbus City Council in February, this measure is part of an effort to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders in the city center. The initiative forms part of Vision Zero Columbus, which is “ focused on ending crash-related fatalities and serious injuries on our streets, while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all.” The new speed limit is immediately enforceable by local authorities.
Speeding Accident Statistics
The numbers make clear that car accidents caused by speeding are a persistent and widespread problem throughout the United States. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), speeding was involved in 29 percent of traffic fatalities in one recent year. Over 11,000 lives were lost nationwide.
In Ohio alone, speeding contributed to over 90,000 crashes in a recent three-year period. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, drivers between the ages of 15-24 were involved in one-third of all speeding-related accidents during that window. The agency further reports that, during the same period, “over 220,000 speeding citations were issued to drivers going 20 mph over the speed limit.”
What to Do If You Are Hurt in a Car Accident
Of course, nothing can reduce the risk of being involved in an accident to zero. If you are injured in a car accident caused by a speeding driver, there are some basic steps you can take to protect yourself and your legal right to compensation. Consider taking the following steps if you find yourself facing this situation:
1. Seek immediate medical attention – Even if you do not think you are hurt, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is because many injuries, such as whiplash and internal bleeding, are not immediately apparent until time has passed after the accident. Consulting with a doctor early on will ensure that they can prepare accurate medical records, which in turn will be used to evaluate the extent of your injuries and the amount of compensation you are owed by the at-fault party.
2. Gather evidence – Request a copy of the police report, take pictures of the scene, gather contact information from witnesses, keep a pain journal documenting your recovery, and keep track of any other sources of evidence that may be used to substantiate your claim.
3. Be careful speaking to insurers – Insurance adjusters save their companies money by denying as many claims as possible. To that end, they will scrutinize any information you provide to find as many reasons as possible to minimize the value of your claim or deny it altogether. Proceed with caution if you receive a call from an adjuster.
4. Contact an experienced attorney – An experienced Ohio car accident lawyer can make sure you know your full rights and help you along the path toward maximum compensation. The sooner you have an attorney evaluate your case, the sooner they can begin strategizing the best path forward.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, for Help
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Ohio car accident lawyer has decades of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims. In every case, we strive to provide the excellent legal representation our clients deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you in a free, no-obligation consultation.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
