Many of us drive on rural roads very frequently, and we may often wonder if these roads are more dangerous than urban roadways in towns and cities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there are over twice as many vehicle crash deaths per mile driven in rural areas as there are in urban areas. Additionally, while only about one in five Americans lives in rural areas, just over 50 percent of vehicle accident deaths in the country take place in rural areas. Even though many rural roads are easy to navigate safely by responsible drivers, it is clear that rural roads are deadlier.
If you or a loved one has been in a devastating accident on an Alabama roadway that’s resulted in serious injuries or death, do not hesitate to call your lawyer as soon as possible. Call Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., to speak with an experienced car accident attorney today at (205) 933-1500.
Why Are Rural Accidents Deadlier Than Other Accidents?
Driving out in the country is simply different than driving on a city road or highway. The pace of traffic is different, and there are many dangers that are present in rural areas. While you may have a lot of experience driving in both rural and urban areas, it’s common for many drivers to not think of the unique dangers of driving in the country. Of the many serious and sometimes deadly risks that make rural driving more dangerous, some include:
- Drivers becoming distracted since they feel that driving on a rural road is safe and less hectic.
- Accidents are often far away from emergency medical attention, and therefore the injured may not survive the wait for paramedics.
- There are fewer guardrails or divided highways in certain spots, so head on collisions at high speeds are unfortunately common.
- Small roads that are being accessed by agricultural or recreational transportation often require large and slow-moving trucks to turn onto a road where smaller passenger cars are driving at a faster speed.
- Animals often dart in front of cars on rural roads, resulting in serious accidents.
Safety Precautions Can Make Rural Driving Safer
Many people do not properly abide by safety practices on rural roads as they do while driving in an urban setting. Perhaps they feel that they are less likely to be struck by another vehicle or pulled over by the police for speeding or failing to use a turn signal. However, the best ways to prevent a fatal accident on a rural road is to follow the law while driving and to be alert of your surroundings. Additionally, some safety practices that can help prevent a fatal rural accident are:
- Avoid driving when you are exhausted or low on sleep.
- Make sure that any trailer or equipment that you are towing is well-secured.
- Have your lights turned on when there is rain, fog, or anything else affecting visibility.
- Study your route ahead of time so that you are not distracted by your GPS.
- Keep your distance from other vehicles since they may unexpectedly slow down to turn.
- Be conscious of harvest times and hunting seasons which can introduce many hazards to the roadway.
A Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Many people are killed in rural accidents every year, but the dangers of rural driving are often unknown to drivers. These roads often do not receive sufficient maintenance. In many cases, they do not have the safety features that are common in urban areas. If you have suffered from a fatal accident on a rural road or highway, you will need a skilled lawyer to investigate what happened and seek compensation from the negligent party.
The fatal car accident attorneys at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. are experienced in taking truck accident cases involving serious injury to trial. We have won more than $200 million in settlements and jury verdicts. To find out more about how we can best represent you, learn how our car accident lawyers in Montgomery, car accident lawyers in Mobile, car accident lawyers in Huntsville, and car accident lawyers in Birmingham can help you.
