Media campaigns by Colorado law enforcement agencies and advocacy groups focus on the dangers of texting while driving and drunk driving, as they should. However, one major factor in many fatal motor vehicle accidents does not seem to get the attention it deserves — speed. The higher the rate of speed, the less control a driver actually has over his or her vehicle, but many people either do not realize that or forget it.
Authorities may never know whether one driver did not know, forgot or just did not care that the speed at which the vehicle was traveling would decrease the amount of control he had over it. That Tuesday night at about 8:40 p.m. police in one Colorado city were called to the scene of a two-vehicle crash in which speed is believed to be the primary contributing factor. Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the man driving at excessive speeds had succumbed to fatal injuries.
The other driver, a 19-year-old woman, survived the crash, but was taken to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The preliminary investigation did not indicate that either alcohol or drugs also contributed to the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
As the investigation continues, the injured woman could face a significant recovery period. During that time, she could amass substantial medical expenses, lose income and sustain additional monetary losses. As is the case in other serious or fatal motor vehicle accidents, the injured woman may exercise her right to file a personal injury claim against the estate of the deceased driver.