Tifton and Fitzgerald Rural Road Car Accidents Attorney

Some of the most serious car accidents occur on rural roads. Nationally, around half of all fatal crashes occur in rural areas. Though major interstates have high volumes of traffic and permit greater speeds, rural roads pose their own challenges for drivers.

In 2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 564 fatal crashes occurred in Georgia’s rural areas, representing nearly 40 percent of all traffic deaths in the state. These crashes can be caused by several factors, many of which we’ll explore below.

At the Dove Law Firm, we work on behalf of our clients to make sure they don’t have to pay for another driver’s negligent behavior. Victims of negligence have the right to be compensated for the damages they have suffered, and we are proud of the work we do for clients to ensure that their rights are protected.

Why Rural Roads Can Be Dangerous?

Travelers on rural roads are at much greater risk for being involved in a fatal accident than they are on urban roads. One estimate from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration found that drivers were 2.5 times more likely to die on a country road than an urban highway.

Rural roads in Georgia can be the host of vehicle crashes for many reasons. Rural roads tend to have more curves and blind spots than major roadways. These roadways are more narrow, more likely to be the site of drunk driving crashes and more likely to be crossed by wildlife. They are also closer to trees and low shoulders, leaving less margin for error than larger roads. At night, country roads can be even more dangerous, due to low visibility for drivers.

Rural roads are often traveled by drivers of farm equipment. Tractors or other farm-related vehicles travel much slower than other vehicles. This causes road congestion and causes drivers to look for opportunities to pass the slower vehicle, even if it is not safe to do so. Sharing the road with farm equipment can present several other hazards for drivers, which is why Georgia launched the Yield Behind the Wheel campaign to raise awareness and promote safety when driving around slower-moving vehicles.

Tips for Sharing the Road with Farm-Related and Other Slow-Moving Vehicles

Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety offers drivers safety tips to help drivers navigate the challenges of driving around these vehicles. The office suggests:

• Remaining patient with larger vehicles, and allowing them time to find a place to give other drivers space to pass.
• Always yielding to wider vehicles on the road by pulling over at a safe place off the road.
• Being cautious when passing slow vehicles and never attempting to do so in a no-passing zone.
• When a farm vehicle starts to pull off the road, not immediately assuming that it is doing so to let you pass. The driver could be preparing to make a wide turn instead.

When Rural Road Car Accident Lead to Serious Injuries

Crashes on rural roads carry the potential to cause devastating injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal damage, burns, loss of limbs, multiple-bone fractures or other soft tissue damage are just a few examples of injuries that can have a serious impact on motorists. These injuries are incredibly painful, but they also pose many other challenges, including expensive medical treatment, ongoing care, loss of income and loss of work capacity.

When an injury is caused by a negligent driver, victims can file personal injury claims to receive compensation for their damages. These claims make it possible to cope with the significant hurdles presented by the occurrence of a major car accident.

The legal team at the Dove Law Firm is here to protect the rights and interests of our clients. We have seen how bad things can get when a negligent driver causes a victim serious physical, emotional and financial harm. Our firm stands up for our clients to get them the maximum compensation so they can focus on their lives, not on complicated legal actions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident on a rural road and believe a negligent driver was at fault, contact the Dove Law Firm to learn more about your options. We offer free consultations.