What Type of Collision Could You Avoid by Speeding Up?

Key Takeaways

• Brief acceleration may help avoid certain rear-end collisions.
• Accelerating can help match traffic speed during interstate merging.
• Speeding up may avoid some sideswipe or side-impact collisions.
• Acceleration is a last-resort maneuver and can increase crash risk.
• Tennessee law requires drivers to stop after injury or fatal crashes.

Defensive driving is about more than slowing down. In some situations, acceleration is the move that keeps a crash from happening, which is why so many drivers find themselves asking: “What type of collision could you avoid by speeding up?” In limited situations, briefly accelerating to create space may help a driver avoid a rear-end collision or another immediate hazard.

At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, our team understands the aftermath of preventable crashes across Tennessee and can help you navigate what comes next with a car accident lawyer in Tennessee on your side.

Accelerating Can Help to Avoid These Specific Crashes

Acceleration has a place in defensive driving, but only in specific situations. These are the crash scenarios where speeding up may help:

• Avoiding Rear-End Collisions: When a tailgating or distracted driver approaches from behind, accelerating to match the flow of traffic can create the distance needed to avoid being rear-ended.
• Avoiding Side-Impact (Broadside) Collisions: In rare situations, accelerating through an intersection may help a driver avoid a side-impact collision when another vehicle suddenly enters their path. Defensive maneuvers like this depend on timing, visibility, and surrounding traffic conditions.
• Safe Merging: When merging onto an interstate, speeding up to match traffic flow reduces the risk of being rear-ended during the merge.
• Escaping Improper Lane Changes: When another vehicle drifts into your lane, accelerating ahead can create enough clearance to avoid a sideswipe.

Important Safety Note: Speeding up is a last-resort, split-second defensive maneuver, not a regular driving practice. Accelerating at the wrong moment can increase danger rather than reduce it.

When Speeding Up Becomes a Danger Instead of a Solution

Knowing what type of collision you could avoid by speeding up also means understanding when acceleration creates more risk than it resolves. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “there were 6,535 crashes involving speeding,” and those crashes were 5.1 times as likely to cause a fatality compared to non-speeding crashes. That data shows how quickly a defensive maneuver can become a serious source of harm.

Speeding raises stopping distances and reduces vehicle control. A driver who misjudges the situation can turn a near-miss into a serious wreck. Victims injured in speed-related crashes frequently face mounting medical bills, lost income, and a recovery timeline far longer than expected.

Safety Comes First: Above All, Drive Safely

Defensive driving exists to protect everyone on the road, and acceleration is only one small piece of that picture. Maintaining a safe following distance, staying alert to adjacent lanes, and scanning intersections before entering all reduce crash risk more reliably than any reactive maneuver. Understanding what types of crashes speed can cause helps drivers make better decisions in the moment.

When another driver’s reckless behavior leaves no time to react, victims deserve support that holds the at-fault party accountable for the harm they caused.

Steps to Take After a Collision Involving Speed in Tennessee

Tennessee law sets clear obligations for everyone involved in a crash, regardless of how it started or who was at fault. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-101, “the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.” Leaving the scene carries serious legal consequences, and that obligation applies whether speed contributed to the crash or not.

Beyond stopping, injured victims can benefit from these steps:

• Call 911 and Request Medical Help: Do this even when injuries are not immediately obvious, since adrenaline can mask pain in the minutes after impact.
• Photograph the Scene: Capture vehicle positions, road conditions, skid marks, and any visible damage before anything is moved.
• Collect the Other Driver’s Information: Gather their name, insurance details, license plate, and contact information at the scene.
• Avoid Recorded Statements: Do not give a recorded statement to insurance adjusters before speaking with a Tennessee car accident attorney, as early statements can be used against you.
• Seek a Medical Evaluation Promptly: Some injuries are not apparent right away, and a timely medical record connects your condition directly to the crash.

Getting legal help before speaking with the insurance company can protect your rights from the beginning. Even if initial contact with an insurer has already occurred, an attorney can still step in and help.

Contact a Tennessee Car Accident Lawyer Today

At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we help injured victims across Tennessee understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve after a crash. Our team answers questions like what type of collision could you avoid by speeding up? and provides the legal guidance needed to move forward.

Contact a car accident lawyer in Tennessee for a free consultation at:

• Clarksville: 270-782-0263
• Columbia: 270-782-0263
• Gallatin: 270-782-0263
• Murfreesboro: 270-782-0263
• Nashville: 270-782-0263

Contact a car accident attorney near you in Kentucky:

• Louisville Car Accident Lawyer
• Lexington Car Accident Lawyer
• Bowling Green Car Accident Lawyer
• Elizabethtown car accident lawyer

Contact a car accident attorney near you in Tennessee:

• Nashville car accident lawyer
• Clarksville car accident lawyer
• Murfreesboro car accident lawyer
• Gallatin car accident lawyer 
• Columbia car accident lawyer