Car Damage at Different Speeds: How Damage to Your Vehicle Could Prove Liability for a Crash

Speeding is consistently one of the top causes of car crashes in Harrisburg, and throughout Pennsylvania. Speeding is also one of the main factors in the severity of a collision – the faster a vehicle is traveling, the harder the force of impact if it hits another vehicle.

The question is: how do you prove the other driver was speeding?

One way is to work backward from the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident. Car damage varies at different speeds.

In the blog below, we discuss the amount of crash damage that usually occurs at different speeds. We also explain how the condition of the vehicles involved in an accident could be used to prove liability.

If you were injured in a crash caused by speeding, call our Harrisburg-based car crash attorneys to discuss your legal rights.

How Speed Affects Vehicle Damage During a Crash

Speed is one of the most significant factors in the extent of vehicle damage caused by a crash. The faster a vehicle travels, the greater the force of impact, which significantly increases the severity of damage.

If you compared two similar crashes but one of them happened at a slightly faster speed, that one crash was probably a lot worse. Small increases in speed can result in a large increase in the energy that needs to be absorbed during a collision.

At higher speeds, vehicles have less time to decelerate or avoid obstacles, leading to more severe crashes. The crumple zones, which are designed to absorb impact energy, may be overwhelmed at high speeds, causing the vehicle’s structure to buckle, deform or even disintegrate. This can result in catastrophic damage to the engine, transmission, frame or other vital components.

Speed also affects vehicles’ safety features. The bottom line is that airbags, seatbelts and other protective measures are most effective at lower speeds. At higher speeds, these features may not be able to fully protect occupants from the force of the crash. This creates a higher risk of severe or even fatal injury.

It is important to note that vehicle speed is just one of the factors that affects vehicle damage. Others include:

• Vehicle Size: When one vehicle is significantly larger than another, the smaller vehicle is more likely to suffer catastrophic damage. This is particularly true when the larger vehicle is a commercial truck.
• Angle of Impact: Cars are designed to withstand significant impact in the front or the rear. However, the sides of vehicles are not as well-equipped to absorb the force of impact.

Low-Speed, Mid-Speed and High-Speed Collisions: Damages, Injuries and Legal Implications

Harrisburg car crashes can be categorized as low-speed, mid-speed and high-speed collisions. While every crash is different, crashes that fit into each of these categories are likely to cause a certain level of damage and injuries to those involved.

Understanding the differences between low-speed, mid-speed, and high-speed collisions is crucial for evaluating the effects of an accident.

Low-Speed Collisions

Low-speed collisions occur at speeds under 20 miles per hour, often in parking lots, residential areas, or during stop-and-go traffic. These are some of the key factors in these types of collisions:

• Minimal Damage: Vehicles typically sustain minor damage, such as scratches, dents or slight bumper deformation. The low force of impact is unlikely to cause severe damage, unless one vehicle is significantly larger than another or one of the vehicles is old.
• Less Severe Injuries: Injuries from low-speed collisions are usually less severe. Common examples include minor whiplash, bruises or small cuts. Injuries could be more serious if one car was at a complete stop when the crash happened.
• Legal Implications: Proving fault can be straightforward if one driver clearly acted negligently, such as by backing into another vehicle. However, determining fault can become complex if both drivers were moving slowly or if the accident occurred under unclear circumstances, such as in a poorly marked intersection.

Mid-Speed Collisions

Mid-speed collisions occur between 20 and 45 miles per hour, and they are common on city streets and suburban roads. Some of the key features of these types of collisions include:

• Moderate Damage: Vehicles often suffer significant damage, such as crumpled fenders, broken headlights, or substantial bumper deformation. This is because the force of impact is greater compared to low-speed collisions. Sometimes mid-speed crashes can cause frame damage.
• Injury Severity: The risk of injury increases, with possible moderate whiplash, concussions or fractured bones. Even if you wear your seat belt, the injuries can be more severe because of the force of impact. Seat belts also stop your forward momentum so forcefully that it can cause significant injury.
• Legal Implications: To determine fault, investigators analyze factors like the point of impact, vehicle positioning and traffic conditions. They rely on things like skid marks, vehicle damage, and witness testimonies to establish responsibility.

High-Speed Collisions

High-speed collisions occur at speeds over 45 miles per hour, often on highways or freeways. They feature:

• Severe Damage: High-speed collisions result in extensive vehicle damage. The impact force can cause severe structural damage, crumpled vehicle frames, and significant deformation, often totaling the vehicles.
• Serious Injuries: Injuries can be catastrophic or fatal, including severe whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and multiple fractures. The intense impact can lead to life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention, such as internal injuries or compression injuries.
• Legal Implications: Establishing fault involves detailed accident reconstruction. Experts analyze vehicle damage, crash dynamics, skid marks, and, if available, black box data. Due to the severity, insurance companies and courts scrutinize every detail to determine liability. Insurance companies are trying to avoid paying out compensation, as these crash claims are often worth more than those that happen at slower speeds.

How Much Car Damage Occurs at 30 MPH?

30 miles per hour (mph) is not that fast, but it is not slow either. At this speed, the force of impact can cause considerable harm to both the car and its occupants. The extent of damage depends on various factors, such as:

• Type of collision, such as a frontal, rear-end or side-impact crash
• The size of the vehicles involved
• Safety features in both vehicles

In a frontal collision at 30 mph, the front-end crumple zone is likely to sustain significant impact, damaging the bumper, hood and possibly the engine compartment. The force of impact could also affect the frame and suspension. Airbags and seatbelts can help lessen the risk of severe injury, but vehicle occupants could experience serious injuries like whiplash and other soft-tissue damage.

In side-impact crashes, the doors and side panels can be crushed. This puts occupants at risk for more severe injuries, such as severe fractures. 30 mph rear-end collisions can cause a similar level of damage to the rear crumple zone, affecting the trunk and rear frame.

30 mph may not sound like it is that fast, but did you know you need 42 feet to make a complete stop at this speed? This is about three seconds.

Many drivers feel like 30 mph is not that dangerous, so they are more prone to distractions. However, this further reduces their reaction time, making it harder to avoid a collision.

What are the Physics Involved in a 30 MPH Crash?

The moment of impact causes the most damage to the vehicles involved. For example, this is the point when the front end of a vehicle crumples in a head-on collision.

Vehicle are designed to crumple and deform to a certain extent, allowing them to absorb the force of impact. This helps prevent all the force from transmitting to vehicle occupants.

Meanwhile, vehicle occupants are thrown forward due to inertia. They are moving at the same speed and direction as the vehicle. They are stopped by the seat belt and airbag, assuming they are wearing their seat belts and their vehicle has airbags.

It is important to note that a vehicle traveling at 30 mph comes to a total stop almost instantly during a crash. A seat belt prevents you from flying forward into the steering wheel or even into the dashboard or windshield.

The sudden deceleration of your body causes tissues and organs to move around. This could cause serious injury to various organs, such as your:

• Brain
• Kidneys
• Heart
• Spleen

You could suffer internal bleeding that puts your life at risk.

45 MPH Crash Damage

These are some of the main characteristics of different types of crashes that can happen at 45 mph:

Front-End Collision:

• Crushed Crumple Zone: The crumple zone may be overwhelmed, causing serious crumpling of the front of the vehicle.
• Engine and Transmission Damage: The impact could extend into the engine and transmission area, which could cause enough damage to total the car.
• Airbag Deployment: Airbags will likely deploy, but even with this safety feature, injuries like whiplash, broken bones or worse could occur. Safety features can save your life, but they may not prevent all injuries.

Rear-End Collision:

• Significant Trunk Damage: The rear crumple zone may be crushed, leading to substantial damage to the trunk and potentially affecting the fuel tank or exhaust system.
• Frame Damage: A 45-mph impact could bend or twist the vehicle’s frame, compromising the structural integrity and safety of the car.
• Severe Whiplash or Back Injuries: The force of impact could whip your head and neck forward so quickly that you strain or sprain soft tissues. Your back could also be affected, causing pain and other debilitating side effects.

Side-Impact Collision:

• Crushed Side Panels: Doors and side panels may be severely damaged, intruding into the passenger compartment.
• Safety Systems May Be Compromised: Side airbags, if present, may deploy, but the force of the impact at this speed can cause serious injuries to passengers due to limited side protection. Your leg could get crushed, or you could suffer blunt force trauma to the abdomen.

How to Prove the At-Fault Driver was Speeding in a Car Accident

Proving that the at-fault driver was speeding in an accident is crucial for establishing liability and securing compensation. While it can be challenging to definitively prove speeding without direct evidence like radar readings or dashcam footage, several methods can help build a strong case. Here’s a detailed guide on how to demonstrate that the other driver was speeding:

1. Vehicle Damage Analysis

One of the most telling indicators of speeding is the extent of damage to the vehicles involved. Severe damage, especially in low-speed collision scenarios, can suggest excessive speed. To effectively use vehicle damage as evidence, here are a few aspects to consider:

• Impact Severity: Compare the damage to the typical outcomes expected at different speeds. For example, a minor collision in a parking lot should not cause significant damage if both vehicles were traveling at low speeds. Conversely, a severe impact in a similar scenario might indicate higher speeds.
• Comparison with Speed Limits: Be aware of the speed limits at the scene of the accident. If the damage is disproportionate to the speed limit, it might suggest the at-fault driver was exceeding the limit.
• Professional Assessment: Have a vehicle damage expert assess the severity of the damage and compare it to industry standards for crash impact at various speeds. Their assessment can provide credible evidence to support your claim.

2. Skid Marks and Tire Evidence

Skid marks on the road can provide valuable clues about how fast the at-fault driver’s car was traveling before the collision. A lack of skid marks may indicate distracted driving, as the distracted driver did not realize he or she needed to stop to avoid a collision.

This is how investigators may use skid marks when building a case:

• Measuring Skid Marks: Longer skid marks generally indicate higher speeds. Investigators can use a tape measure or a digital measuring tool to record the length of the skid marks. They compare these measurements with known braking distances for various speeds.
• Skid Mark Analysis: The condition of the road surface and the vehicle’s tire type can affect skid mark length. Accident reconstruction experts know how to interpret skid mark evidence accurately.
• Absence of Skid Marks: If there are no skid marks, it might suggest that the driver was distracted or failed to brake. This can also indicate high speeds, especially if the driver had little or no time to react to the accident.

3. Debris Spread

The spread of debris from the crash site can also offer insights into the vehicles’ speeds at the time of the accident:

• Documenting Debris: Investigators measure the distance debris has been scattered from the impact point. Greater distances often imply higher speeds. Photographs taken from various angles can capture the spread of debris and support your claims.
• Expert Analysis: An accident reconstruction specialist can analyze debris patterns to estimate the speed of the vehicles involved. This analysis can provide expert testimony on how the speed contributed to the severity of the accident.

4. Black Box Data

Modern vehicles often come equipped with event data recorders (black boxes) that capture crucial data about the vehicle’s performance before and during a crash:

• Data Retrieval: If the at-fault vehicle has a black box, investigators can retrieve data such as speed, braking, and acceleration. This data can provide concrete evidence of how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of the collision.
• Interpreting Data: Your lawyer can work with experts to analyze the black box data and correlate it with the damage and other evidence. This data can be a strong indicator of speeding.

5. Witness Testimonies

After an accident, it is important to communicate with people who witnessed the accident. They can provide valuable information on what they saw and if the at-fault driver was speeding.

• Collect Statements: Your lawyer can gather statements from witnesses who saw the accident or the moments leading up to it. Witnesses might describe the speed of the vehicles or the nature of the collision.
• Corroborate Accounts: Your lawyer can use witness statements to support other evidence, such as vehicle damage or skid marks. Consistent accounts from multiple witnesses can strengthen your case.

6. Expert Testimony

Accident reconstruction experts can provide detailed analyses of how the accident occurred, including estimating the speeds of the involved vehicles:

• Hiring Experts: Your attorney can engage a qualified accident reconstruction specialist who can analyze the evidence, including vehicle damage, skid marks, and debris, to estimate the speed of the at-fault vehicle.
• Expert Reports: Experts provide detailed reports that can include simulations and calculations that demonstrate how the speed contributed to the severity of the accident.

7. Police Reports and Citations

Police reports and traffic citations can also provide evidence of speeding:

• Review Reports: Obtain a copy of the police report from the accident. The report may include observations or conclusions about the speed of the vehicles based on the officers’ experience and on-site evidence.
• Traffic Citations: If the at-fault driver received a speeding ticket or citation, this can serve as direct evidence of their speed. Citations can be used to reinforce other evidence of speeding.

8. Vehicle Safety Features and Design

Understanding the role of vehicle safety features and design can provide context for the extent of damage and speed involved:

• Safety Features: Lawyers and experts can analyze how the vehicle’s safety features, such as crumple zones and airbags, might have influenced the damage and injury severity. This can help establish how high speeds contributed to the impact.
• Design Considerations: Modern vehicles are designed to withstand certain impact forces. Assessing how the vehicle’s design influenced the damage can provide insights into the speed at which the collision occurred.

Proving that the at-fault driver was speeding requires a combination of evidence and expert analysis. By examining vehicle damage, skid marks, debris spread, black box data, witness testimonies, and expert reports, your lawyer can build a compelling case that demonstrates the driver’s excessive speed.

If you have a case, our team may be able to help by gathering comprehensive evidence that will strengthen your claim and support your pursuit of compensation for the damages and injuries sustained in the accident.

Unsure if You May Have a Case? Call To Set Up a Free Consultation

The attorneys at Schmidt Kramer have been helping car crash victims secure compensation for decades. We have helped victims of a wide variety of car crashes that had a wide variety of causes. We have detailed knowledge about how to gather evidence of the cause of the crash.

Call us as soon as possible to discuss what happened and learn how we may be able to assist you in pursuing the compensation you need.

Schmidt Kramer. No Upfront Fees or Obligations. (717) 727-2550