.png)
A deadly car accident can happen on any road. However, information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that more than 70% of Iowa traffic deaths occur on rural roads.
Are Rural Roads More Dangerous?
Iowa is primarily a rural state. There are many more rural roads than there are urban roads. Therefore, it makes sense that there would be more fatal crashes on rural roads.
However, there are also dangers on rural roads that may make serious and potentially fatal crashes more likely. For example, accidents on rural roads may be more likely because of:
- Road design. Rural roads tend to have narrower shoulders than urban roads, which means there is less of a buffer between staying on the road and going off the road during a crash. Additionally, fewer intersections are controlled by lights or four-way stop signs in rural areas, and visibility at rural intersections can be difficult.
- Drunk driving and distracted driving. There are typically fewer police officers available to monitor the roads and ticket drivers who are breaking the law by drinking or driving while distracted. Without the fear of a ticket, more drivers may engage in these risky behaviors and make accidents more likely to occur.
- Speeding. Generally, people drive faster in rural areas than they do in urban areas where they are slowed down by other vehicles and stop lights. The injuries suffered in a crash with a speeding car are often more severe than the injuries sustained in a collision with a slower-moving vehicle.
Families Have the Same Rights After Fatal Crashes
Whether you lost your loved one in a crash on an urban street or a rural road, your legal rights are the same. You may have a legal claim against the person who caused the crash and your loved one’s death.
Our experienced Iowa car accident fatality lawyers will find out exactly what happened and advise you of all of your rights during a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us today, or reach out to us via this website, to learn more.
