Car Accidents and Rural Roads
Victims of auto accidents and their loved ones can count on Sugar Land, TX attorneys Jackson Reed and Travis Terry for help. These experienced lawyers have helped countless crash survivors receive compensation for their injuries and losses, and allowed surviving family members of accident victims to move forward in life with closure and a sense of justice.
Many times, car accidents in rural areas and remote roads result in fatalities and catastrophic or disabling injuries. The legal team at Reed & Terry, LLP would like to explore these kinds of crashes in more detail below.
National Rural Road Accident Statistics
According to numbers from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 16,73 fatal accidents on rural roads in 2016. This comprised 48 percent of all fatal auto collisions in 2016.
Rural Road Crash Numbers for the State of Texas
According to numbers from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 130,770 crashes on rural roads during 2017. This numbers included 1,684 fatal crashes that led to 1,950 deaths; and 5,438 serious injury crashes that resulted in 7,048 different injuries.
By comparison, there were a total of 407,200 crashes on urban roads in Texas during the same year.
Causes of Rural Road Crashes
Some of the most common causes of rural road collisions include the following:
- Speeding - Many people speed on remote roads since law enforcement is not always out there to monitor people’s driving. It’s estimated that excessive speed contributes to 27 percent of all fatal crashes each year.
- Drunk Driving - When fewer law enforcement officers are present, people may be more likely to drink and drive since they are less likely to be caught. This endangers countless people on rural roadways.
- Reckless Driving - Risky and reckless behaviors of all types can occur behind the wheel in addition to speeding and intoxicated driving. This could include tailgating, weaving, racing, and so forth.
- Objects/Animals in the Road - Whether it’s livestock, a small animal, a carcass, a tree limb, or an object dropped by another vehicle, debris in the road can lead to crashes. On rural roads, this debris may not be cleared out for some time.
- Bad Weather - Rain, snow, ice, fog, and high winds can all result in a greater risk of crashes. This is why it’s so important to drive with your headlights on during the day and to always be cautious when traveling in inclement weather.
- Poor Road Conditions - In addition to road debris, drivers on rural roads must consider the dangers of bad road conditions. Potholes, uneven surfaces, lack of signs, and other hazards could make a rural roadway much more hazardous.
The Dangers of Rural Road Collisions
If you are involved in a crash on a rural road, there are a number of dangers that can make an injury collision potentially life-threatening.
- Reckless Behaviors on the Road - As we noted above, the lack of law enforcement could make some drivers more likely to take terrible risks, endangering anyone in the vicinity.
- Problems with Visibility - Whether it’s caused by darkness or bad weather, low visibility means a greater risk for crashes.
- Limited Cellphone Service - Following a crash, many people will reach for their mobile phone to dial 911. Unfortunately, reception in rural areas can be limited, meaning you might be stranded and injured without contacting anyone for help.
- Long Emergency Response Times - Even if you do reach emergency responders, it may take them a long time to reach the location of your accident. Delays like this could literally mean the difference between life and death.
Learn More About Auto Accident Lawsuits
For more information about your legal rights and options after a car crash, be sure to contact our team of auto accident lawyers. The team at Reed & Terry, LLP is here to help. You can reach our law offices in Sugar Land, Richmond, and Katy by phone at (281) 201-0988.
