Most people think driving is driving, no matter where you are. However, city driving is vastly different from country driving, and urban car crashes are very different from rural wrecks.
Experienced Lafayette car accident lawyers understand the differences between rural and urban car accidents, as well as the varying impacts of different types of collisions on the severity of injuries and an individual’s ability to seek maximum compensation.
Understanding the Difference Between Urban and Rural Car Accidents
While it’s true that car accidents can occur anytime and anywhere, there are distinct differences between rural and urban collisions. Some of the key differences between rural and urban car accidents involve:
Crash Frequency
It is natural that in areas with higher congestion and traffic, accidents will occur more frequently. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that 60 percent of car crashes occur in urban or more developed areas, while only 40 percent occur on rural roadways.
Types of Vehicles Involved
Rural and urban collisions also differ because they often involve different types of vehicles. Smaller passenger cars, delivery vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrian accidents are more common in urban areas. Collisions in rural areas may involve larger trucks, tractors, and farm equipment.
Road Conditions
Potholes and other poor road conditions are typically addressed more quickly in urban environments than on rural roadways.
Driving Behaviors
Speeding is more likely on rural roadways with less law enforcement presence. Seatbelt use also decreases slightly in rural areas compared to cities. Driver impairment may also be a concern in rural communities with limited taxi or ridesharing options.
Why Rural Car Accidents Often Result in More Severe Injuries
Unfortunately, another distinction that separates urban vs. rural accidents is the severity of injuries involved. While accidents in urban settings may be more common, crashes on rural roadways tend to be more severe and cause more damage.
Traffic in heavily congested cities is typically stop-and-go, characterized by lower speeds. Rear-end and other accidents are common, but they do not always cause life-threatening injuries. In contrast, rural roads sometimes have higher speed limits and fewer traffic controls. These conditions increase the risk of rural accidents resulting in more severe injuries.
Statistics from the NHTSA also show that 51 percent of rural passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2021 were unrestrained, compared to 49 percent of urban passenger vehicle occupants. Seatbelt use in rural areas tends to be lower than in cities, which means when a crash does happen, serious injuries and ejections are more common.
Emergency response time to rural locations is also longer. Faster response times can translate to improved survival rates. The longer it takes to get to a rural crash location, the higher the likelihood of fatalities or injuries that cause long-term impairment.
How Urban Car Accidents Happen More Frequently in Lafayette
Urban car accidents occur more frequently in Lafayette because there are more drivers on the roads. Urban environments are more densely populated, so more people will naturally be commuting to work, school, and shopping destinations. More drivers mean a greater chance of an accident.
How a Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After Any Type of Crash
The Thibeaux Firm is the Louisiana home of “The 25% Attorney.” We fight for car accident victims, regardless of the accident type, and we do it for a flat 25 percent fee in situations where we recover compensation.
Contact our office now and request a free consultation with a Lafayette car accident lawyer.
