Pennsylvania is filled with farmland. That means there are a lot of roads that pass through rural areas.
While drivers typically think of rural roads as somewhat safer than urban ones, the opposite is actually true. While only 19% of the U.S. population as a whole lives in rural areas, almost 50% of fatal motor vehicle accidents happen in those areas.
Here are some of the challenges
So what makes rural roads so much more dangerous than people realize?
- Agricultural equipment: Farm machinery, such as tractors and combines, are common on rural roads. These vehicles are often large, slow, heavy and not always equipped with proper lighting or reflective markers, making them difficult to see, especially at dawn or dusk.
- Narrow and unpaved roads: Many rural roads in Pennsylvania are narrow and may be unpaved, increasing the risk of accidents. These conditions can be especially hazardous during wet or foggy weather when roads may become slippery or visibility is reduced.
- Wildlife: Deer and other animals frequently crossing the road can lead to unexpected and dangerous situations for drivers, especially if they react by crossing the center line.
- Driver fatigue and distraction: Long stretches of rural roads can lead to driver fatigue and contribute to distracted driving, both of which contribute to more accidents.
Finally, there’s the fact that when an accident does happen, it can take a long time for help to arrive. Rural hospitals are few and far between, and they’re often not equipped to handle some of the worst trauma cases. That means treatment for injury victims is often delayed, and that leads to poorer medical outcomes.
If you’ve been injured in an accident on a rural road or your loved one was killed, it may be time to learn more about your right to fair compensation.