Boston Speeding Accident Lawyers
Strong representation for those injured in speeding-related crashes
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Although traveling a few miles over the speed limit might not seem like a serious driving infraction, speeding-related collisions are among the most violent crashes on Boston’s roads. Many of these are entirely avoidable, making them frustrating and devastating for victims and their families.
When drivers violate speed limits, they increase the risk of crashes by reducing reaction times. However, they also increase the impact force, putting themselves and others at risk of catastrophic injuries.
At Santoro & Gray, we tell your story so that we can hold reckless drivers and the companies that enable them accountable for the harm they cause.
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How Santoro & Gray can help you
- Why choose Santoro & Gray after a speeding-related crash
- The scope of the problem: Speeding in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts speeding and reckless driving laws
- How speed causes devastating collisions
- Common injuries in speeding crashes
- Determining liability in a speeding accident
- Massachusetts no-fault insurance (PIP)
- How Santoro & Gray builds a speeding accident case
- Recoverable damages
- Statute of limitations for speeding accident claims in Boston
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you have a Boston speeding accident lawyer near me?
At Santoro & Gray, we offer compassionate representation for crash survivors and grieving families. We have extensive experience handling catastrophic injury cases, including those involving high-speed collisions, multi-vehicle crashes, and highway fatalities. We offer trial-focused advocacy, and insurers know our firm will go to court to get our clients the compensation they need. Contact us for trauma-informed representation from attorneys who validate survivors and emphasize the human cost behind every injury.
Nationally, speeding contributes to nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities each year. For instance, in 2022, 12,151 people died in speeding-related crashes nationwide. Throughout Boston, on roads like Storrow Drive, Ted Williams Tunnel, I-90 near Copley, the Jamaicaway, and the Longfellow Bridge, speeding is an ongoing problem for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. In the city’s downtown zones, like Back Bay, Fenway, and Mission Hill, pedestrians and cyclists are forced to share narrow roads with drivers, making it more important than ever for those behind the wheel to respect the speed limit. For vulnerable road users, faster vehicles spell more serious injuries and a greater risk of death.
Massachusetts law requires all drivers to operate their vehicles at a reasonable and proper speed for conditions. Importantly, this means it’s not just about the speed limit. During heavy rain, snow, or on icy roads, traveling at the speed limit might be too fast and could result in consequences.
Some of the speed limits you’re likely to see in and around the city include:
- 20 mph: Likely in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic and school zones.
- 25–30 mph: In business and residential districts, the speed limit will likely fall in this range.
- 40 mph: For undivided highways outside of densely settled areas or business districts.
- 50 mph: For divided highways outside of densely settled areas or business districts.
- 65 mph: On interstates such as the Mass Pike/I-90 and I-95, higher speed limits are more likely.
Violating a speed limit or traveling too fast for the road conditions can result in legal consequences. However, there are extra penalties for certain more serious speeding violations. Excessive speeding can rise to the level of reckless or negligent operation, resulting in criminal consequences. Even in the absence of a crash, this could result in penalties. However, if someone is injured, the result can be a civil personal injury claim in addition to any charges.
If you suffer an injury because of a speeding driver, their speeding might serve as evidence of negligence that can support your claim against them for damages.
Speeding can lead to far more serious collisions. The forces are greater, meaning that injuries can be much more severe. People often fail to realize how rapidly the forces increase. For instance, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that going from “40 to 60 mph (a 50% increase)” causes the energy to increase by 125%. There are also common behaviors that may involve or happen in conjunction with speeding, including:
- Tailgating and unsafe lane changes
- Street racing or aggressive passing
- Driving too fast for the weather or construction conditions
- Failing to slow near schools or crosswalks
With higher speeds come more devastating injuries. Some common injuries that might occur in a speeding-related crash include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Complex fractures and crush injuries
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe burns from vehicle fires or airbag deployment
- Amputation or permanent disfigurement
- PTSD and emotional trauma
- Wrongful death
In any severe injury cases, you need the help and support of an attorney who is willing to fight for you and your family. Costs related to medical care can be exorbitant, and having to shoulder that burden while recovering is unfair for those who suffer injuries because of someone else’s negligence.
Speeding might be strong evidence of negligence, but speed-related crashes aren’t always clear-cut. The potentially liable party in such collisions might be the speeding motorist, another driver, or a third party. For instance, if the driver was working at the time, like if the driver was operating a delivery truck, the employer might be vicariously liable. Vehicle manufacturers could also bear some responsibility if a vehicle defect led to the incident or worse injuries. Oftentimes, there will be multiple liable parties. You need to work with a personal injury attorney to ensure that you identify all the potentially at-fault parties.
In Massachusetts, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers up to $8,000 for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. However, that limit is unlikely to cover all costs if your injuries are severe. Luckily, you have the option to pursue a civil lawsuit if your medical expenses exceed $2,000, or you sustained permanent or serious disfigurement, fracture, or loss of bodily function. In the case of a speeding-related crash, you will often have extensive injuries that easily surpass the minimum requirements for being able to file a claim.
At Santoro & Gray, we carefully build claims for compensation for our clients. Steps we take include:
- Early investigation: We work to obtain police crash reports, traffic-camera and dash-cam footage, and event-data-recorder (EDR) downloads to carefully collect evidence.
- Expert analysis: We enlist the help of expert witnesses in accident reconstruction, vehicle dynamics, and human factors.
- Valuing long-term harm: We listen carefully to your story so that we can convey your real losses, like lost earning capacity, your chronic pain, and the impact on your family.
At Santoro & Gray, we connect the data and evidence to real human consequences–like the missed milestones and the everyday struggles–to build a strategic case to recover compensation for your losses.
If you suffer injuries in a car crash caused by a negligent driver, you can often recover damages for your losses. Damages fall into several categories, including:
- Economic: These account for losses related to medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation, adaptive housing or vehicles, and property damage.
- Non-economic: You can also recover for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death: Certain family members may be able to collect funeral costs, lost future support, and, in rare cases, punitive damages for gross negligence in wrongful death claims.
In most cases, you have three years from the date of injury or death to file a lawsuit. However, it’s vital that you seek legal advice as soon as you can. Vital evidence, such as EDR data or traffic-camera footage, can vanish if you don’t get access to it early on. Once you’re working with us, we can help collect this evidence and keep track of filing deadlines to protect your claim.
What if the driver was only “a little” over the speed limit?
Any speed unsafe for conditions can establish negligence. However, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll need to show that the driver was negligent and that their negligence was the reason for your injuries.
Does the speeding driver’s ticket help my case?
Evidence of a traffic violation in connection to the accident that injured you can be helpful in negotiating a settlement or building your claim for compensation.
What if I was also partly at fault?
The good news is, you can still recover damages if your share of fault is 50% or less. Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence system, which lets you collect compensation unless you are more at fault than the other party or parties. However, your compensation will be reduced to match your share of fault.
Do I need to go to court?
In many cases, you will be able to reach a settlement before trial. Still, being trial-ready often increases settlement value and gives you more power in negotiations.
Yes, Santoro & Gray’s office is located at 131 Dartmouth St, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116. We’re also able to schedule phone or video consultations if you’re unable to make it to our office.
We understand that you and your loved ones are going through a challenging time. Our attorneys want to make the legal process as easy as we can for you.
Contact Boston speeding accident lawyers who listen
Santoro & Gray’s approach to personal injury law is always client-first. We know that you have a story to tell. You’ve endured trauma, pain, and emotional turmoil, and all of that needs to be accounted for when you bring your claim to court. We’re here to tell that story, and to fight to get you the compensation you need. Call us today or fill out our contact form to connect with us for a free consultation.