Statistically speaking, a person is more likely to be killed in a car accident that takes place on a rural road. This is because drivers in sparsely populated parts of West Virginia may be more likely to drive at excessive speeds, fail to wear a safety belt or drive older vehicles that have fewer safety features.
It’s easy to get complacent when you’re all alone on the road
When you’re traveling on a rural road, you may be able to go miles without seeing another vehicle. In some cases, you may go miles without seeing a house, farm or any other sign of life. Therefore, you may feel as if it’s alright to speed, drive while impaired or take other risks that you wouldn’t take while driving on a main road.
Older vehicles may be less reliable
A car that lacks anti-lock brakes is likely going to be at a higher risk of getting into an accident than one that has this technology. Vehicles that don’t have collision warning systems may also be more likely to be involved in crashes than those who can stop themselves when necessary. Finally, it isn’t uncommon for older cars to lack airbags, safety belts with load-limiting sensors and other tools to minimize the severity of a crash.
Rural roads are less likely to be maintained
In many cases, rural roads are little more than dirt paths that are wide enough to accommodate cars, trucks and other vehicles. Therefore, it can be difficult for emergency personnel to get to a crash in a rural area in a timely manner. Even if first responders can get to an accident scene in a timely manner, it can still take up to 60 minutes to get victims of car accidents to the hospital.
If you are hurt in a car accident, it may be possible to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost future earnings and other damages. An attorney may be able to use multiple forms of evidence to establish that the crash was caused by a negligent driver.
