You technically face the greatest odds of being involved in a fatal car accident when you are driving on a rural road. Even though a rural road may have a simplistic design and there may not be as much traffic around you as you would find in the city, studies find that the fatal crash rate is significantly higher.
Rural drivers are often surprised to find out that this is the case, as they feel that these roads are much safer and easier to use than complex city streets. Below are three reasons why the accident rates come out the way that they do.
Medical care is further away
To begin with, people often suffer serious injuries in car accidents that need to be treated quickly. Prompt treatment in the first few minutes could save someone’s life. A rural accident may be remote, so it is impossible for them to get the care they need in time.
Speed limits are higher
Another issue to consider is that crashes at a higher rate of speed are more likely to lead to severe injuries. Rural roads often have speed limits set at 55 mph or even higher, so the accidents that take place are simply more dangerous.
Dangerous road designs
Just because the road design is relatively simple does not mean it is safe. Roads are sometimes poorly maintained, and they may be bumpy or narrow. They often have poor lighting, without streetlights, so drivers have to rely exclusively on their headlights. All of this makes an accident more likely.
Have you suffered serious injuries in a car accident, or have you lost a loved one? If so, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.