Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
It is probably a common assumption that car accidents occur most in urban areas as opposed to rural areas due to high traffic in large cities. But our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys have found that this isn’t a fair assumption at all.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2008 twenty three percent of the US population lives in rural areas but account for more than half of the traffic fatalities that occurred. Although the number of motor vehicle traffic fatalities has decreased in the last decade, the number of rural fatalities resulted in almost 5,000 more lives lost compared to those killed in urban area traffic accidents.
This is mostly due to the fact that in rural areas it is easier to speed than in urban areas. It makes sense that the higher the speed of a passenger vehicle the more likely serious injury could occur in a crash. In fact, 33 percent of speed-related crashes occurred in rural areas. Speed-related fatalities are more likely during the evening hours or weekends. In 2008, the NHTSA reported that more than 50 percent of rural/urban speeding related fatalities from motor vehicle crashes were on weekends and evenings (6:00pm to 5:59am).
In 2008, Florida had a total of 2,978 fatal crashes. Urban areas were found to be more dangerous resulting in 59 percent of those fatalities while only 37 percent occurred in rural areas.
So if you are heading to work or out to the country to enjoy a family picnic make sure you maintain a speed that is safe for everyone.
Drunk driving, distracted driving and drowsy driving also contribute to the high-risk or rural accidents. Rural roads are also narrower and typically less well lit. By keeping your guard up, even after you leave the city, you will be giving yourself the best chance of avoiding a car accident in Broward County or the surrounding areas.
If you or a loved one is injured in a passenger vehicle car crash in Southern Florida, contact the experienced attorneys at Freeman and Mallard in the West Palm Beach area at 800-LAW-CENTERS (800-529-2368).