Auto Accident Attorneys in Georgia Discuss Rural Crashes

The number of highway deaths across the United States has reached epidemic levels. According to data published by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (downloads PDF file), the majority of all fatal accidents occur on rural roads and involve rural residents. While only one-fifth of our population lives in rural areas, three-fifths of all accidents occur there. In fact, over half of all fatal accidents, amounting to some 42,000 accidents a year, occur on rural roads. This figure includes drivers and passengers as well as pedestrians, and motorcyclists. If you consider only rural passenger vehicle fatalities, 65 percent of all deaths occur on rural roads. Of these, 54 percent were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Causes of Rural Crashes

There are a number of factors that contribute to the high crash rate of vehicles on rural roads. The first is an increase in the number of miles driven by those in rural communities. Studies show that the relative scarcity of public transportation, coupled with the greater distances between destinations, result in an increase in the sheer number of miles driven by people in rural regions.

Another factor is curvy, more challenging roads. Straight roads, such as those often found in urban areas, tend to be less dangerous than the curvy roads that are prevalent in rural regions. Winding turns pose a threat to impaired, distracted, drowsy or inexperienced drivers.

Speed is an additional important factor. Most rural roads have higher speed limits than urban ones, often exceeding 55 miles per hour. Generally, the greater the speed of travel, the more serious the injuries result in the event of a crash.

If an accident does occur, a contributing factor to the overall severity of rural crashes is the slower response time for emergency responders. Due to the often greater distances between the accident zone and the hospital, EMS services may take far longer to arrive at the crash site. The distance back to the hospital will also be far greater and hospital wait times can be long due to fewer staff members. All of these factors contribute to an overall increased risk of death or serious injury in rural automobile accidents.

Lastly, the lack of use of seatbelts in rural regions causes a number of fatalities each year. Safety advocates have targeted these areas in an effort to increase seatbelt usage, but overall seatbelt usage remains lower in rural regions, indicating a need to continue to enforce the proper use of seatbelts and car seats.

Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!

Rural roads can present some considerable hazards and serious accidents are sadly common due to the high rates of speed traveled. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident caused by another person or party, the Georgia Auto Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, are here to help. We offer representation to automobile accident victims and their families across Georgia and in the Southeast and will diligently fight for your best legal outcome. Prompt action is vital to the success of your automobile accident case. As such, do not delay in seeking legal assistance, as your time to file a claim after the accident is limited. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

Source:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/airbags/RuralCrashes.pdf (downloads PDF file)