Speed and Rural Roads: Route 602 Rockingham County Crash
The combination of speed and Virginia and West Virginia rural roads are a deadly combination. While census data shows that most Americans now live in cities and suburban areas, 60% of all motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. occur on rural roads.
The Virginia State Police is reporting a fatal crash on Route 602 in Rockingham County on Monday, October 11 around 5:15 p.m. Police say that a 1995 Geo Prism was headed north on Va. 602 when it crossed the double-solid yellow centerline and collided head-on with a 2013 Nissan Frontier that was headed south.
Too Fast
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that recently 64% of all speed-related fatalities occurred on rural roads. That’s about 2 out of every three speeding-related fatalities happen in rural areas.
Unfortunately, speeding is a major problem for all roads throughout the country. But, the combination of speeding with the more dangerous and less-forgiving rural roads often takes a deadly toll.
Reasons for the difference in fatality rates between urban roads and more rural areas include:
- Rural roads have more severe crashes;
- Rural roads frequently see crashes involving rollovers and vehicles that run off the roadway;
- Rough terrain;
- Longer intervals between a crash and emergency response time;
- Lower levels of trauma care available in rural areas.
Rural Roads Compared to Interstates
Surprisingly, very few speeding-related fatalities actually occur on highways and interstates in the U.S. This is surprising because interstates usually have the highest posted speed limits.
Data shows that in rural areas, speeding-related crashes account for progressively more wrecks as the class of road function decreases. For example, in rural areas, fatalities increase on local and collector roads over arterials and interstates.
Rural Roads Started Out As Farm Roads
Many rural roads started out as farm roads. They were then upgraded to handle more traffic and larger vehicles. But, these upgraded roads accommodate a whole host of different drivers including farmers, school buses, commuters, and trucks.
Many of these rural roads have narrow lanes and unclear markings for the roadsides. These rural roads often do not have frequent intersections controlled by stop signs and traffic signals. These factors encourage speeding, which breeds high-speed crashes.
Speeding in Rural Areas is Deadly
Speeding is dangerous on ALL roads. But, speeding in rural areas is particularly devastating and deadly as the evidence shows. As a result, it is absolutely critical for drivers to lower their driving speed on rural roadways.
Why Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’ve been hurt in a wreck involving a high rate of speed or on a rural roadway, you’ve been forced into a very inconvenient position. You are now faced with medical bills, insurance companies, work, and family matters at the same time as you’re trying to recover from your injuries.
How Is the Ritchie Law Firm Different?
At the Ritchie Law Firm, we believe those responsible for your injuries should be held accountable. But, holding all of the negligent parties liable while you are negotiating with an insurance company can be incredibly frustrating. A lack of experience in determining the value of your case can result in a lower settlement than your accident and injuries warrant. But, retaining an experienced rear-end collision lawyer can help ensure that you are fairly compensated.
In our half-century of practice, the personal injury lawyers at the Ritchie Law Firm have handled thousands of car accident cases on behalf of our clients. After handling so many cases, nothing comes as a surprise to us and we are always thoroughly prepared for even the most challenging cases. We have a track record of success and a strength that is unmatched.
Talk with a Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured by the negligence of another driver, the Ritchie Law Firm has obtained life-changing settlements for thousands of injured clients. See our Verdicts and Settlements here. The experienced, certified attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm have helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. Contact us by phone at 800-277-6124 or by using our online contact form.
Ritchie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV.
