Speeding Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts

Speeding is a leading cause of fatal accidents in Massachusetts. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey holds speed-related negligence fully accountable and pursues maximum compensation for speeding accident victims. Free consultation. No fees unless we win.

Speeding Accidents and Driver Liability in Massachusetts

Excessive speed is one of the leading contributors to fatal and serious injury accidents on Massachusetts roads. A driver who travels above the posted speed limit, or at a speed unsafe for current road conditions, even below the posted limit in rain, snow, fog, or heavy traffic, is negligent. When that negligence causes a collision, the speeding driver is fully responsible for the resulting injuries. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey represents speeding accident victims throughout Massachusetts and pursues every available dollar of compensation.

Two Types of Speed Violations

Massachusetts law recognizes two independent speed-related violations. The first is exceeding the posted speed limit, straightforward per se negligence that requires only proof the driver was traveling above the limit. The second is operating at a speed unsafe for conditions, which may apply even when the driver is at or below the posted limit but conditions (weather, visibility, traffic, road surface) require reduced speed. Attorney Lavey pursues both theories in every speeding accident case where the evidence supports them.

Proving Excessive Speed

Evidence of excessive speed may include the police report noting skid mark lengths (from which a minimum speed can be calculated), event data recorder information from the at-fault vehicle recording pre-crash speed, dashcam footage, witness testimony from drivers who observed the vehicle traveling at high speed before the crash, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction analysis establishing impact speed from crush depth and vehicle dynamics. Attorney Lavey pursues all available speed evidence in every case.

The Relationship Between Speed and Crash Severity

Increasing speed exponentially increases the energy of a collision. A crash at 60 mph involves roughly four times the kinetic energy of a crash at 30 mph. This relationship between speed and severity is why speeding accidents cause disproportionately catastrophic injuries. Medical evidence documenting the nature and extent of crash injuries can itself support the inference of high-impact speed when combined with other evidence. Attorney Lavey works with medical experts to ensure the full severity of speed-related injuries is documented.

Compensation After a Speeding Accident

The full range of Massachusetts personal injury damages is available after a speeding accident: medical expenses past and future, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and future care costs for serious injuries. The deliberate choice to speed, a choice the driver made knowing it increased the danger to everyone around them, is relevant context for the pain and suffering evaluation. Attorney Lavey presents the full picture of every speeding accident victim’s damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the speeding driver claims they were only a few miles over the limit?

Even a few miles per hour above the limit is a technical violation of Massachusetts law. More importantly, whether the driver was technically above or below the limit, they may also have been driving at an unsafe speed for conditions. Attorney Lavey pursues both the per se violation and the unsafe-for-conditions theory when the facts support it.

What if there is no physical evidence of speeding?

Physical evidence of speed is important but not the only means of establishing it. Witness testimony, the severity of the crash and resulting injuries, the damage sustained by both vehicles, and the EDR data from the at-fault vehicle are all independent sources. Accident reconstruction experts can estimate minimum impact speed from crush measurements. Attorney Lavey builds the speed evidence case from every available source.

What if I was also traveling above the speed limit when the accident happened?

Massachusetts comparative negligence rules apply. If you were also speeding and your speed contributed to the accident or its severity, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if the other driver was substantially more at fault, traveling at a far greater excessive speed, or running a light while speeding, your recovery is still available subject to the proportional reduction. Attorney Lavey advises every client honestly on how comparative negligence affects their specific case.

Can I use the police report citation for speeding as evidence in my civil case?

Yes. A speeding citation issued to the at-fault driver is strong evidence of negligence in your civil claim. It establishes that a police officer determined the driver was exceeding the speed limit based on their training, observation, and in some cases radar measurement. A criminal guilty plea or conviction for speeding is even stronger evidence. Attorney Lavey uses all available enforcement records in every speeding accident case.

Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey — Licensed Massachusetts Attorney

Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and has represented clients throughout Middlesex County and Massachusetts for over 37 years. He handles every case personally, no associates, no handoffs. Call (781) 938-1400 for a free consultation.

Book a Free Consultation Today

There Are No Fees Unless We Win.

1Complete our simple questionnaire
2Schedule a free consultation with Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey