The Hidden Dangers of Rural Roads in Pennsylvania: A Legal Insight

When you travel through the Keystone State, you will drive through cities, towns, and plenty of farmland. Pennsylvania has its fair share of rural roads. While traveling through rural areas of the state may be scenic, it can also be dangerous. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, nearly half of all fatal crashes happen on rural roads.

If you were in a car accident in Pennsylvania, you may be able to take legal action and file a claim for financial compensation. The Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP can evaluate your claim, give you an idea of what it is worth, and provide you with legal representation to get the full amount you are owed from all liable parties. Car accidents, no matter where they occur, can result in victims suffering several damages. Medical expenses, missed wages, property damages, and more can be compensable in a car accident injury claim.

The Dangers of Rural Roads

A car accident can happen anywhere. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that every hour there are hundreds of reportable crashes in Pennsylvania. Many of these occur in rural areas of the state. Some of the reasons why rural roads can be more dangerous than other roads include:

• Farm equipment like tractor-trailers will often be found traveling alongside motor vehicles on rural roads. Their bulky size paired with slow movement can impact traffic. Since they do not have reflectors or other features that allow them to be more easily seen, they can be missed when traveling on a rural road at dusk or dawn when visibility is lessened.
• Rural roads tend to be narrow with little room to allow another car to pass by. As a result, when two cars coming in different directions encounter each other, one would likely have to stop moving and move as close to the side or a little off of the road as possible to allow another to pass. Depending on the terrain, this could be very difficult and also, if conditions make it hard to see, drivers may not realize another car is approaching until too late.
• Rural roads are usually unpaved which means they could have rocks, bumps, and holes that make it harder to drive safely. When winter weather comes around, these roads can be especially slick, have unplowed snow, and be particularly difficult to navigate.
• Rural areas have more wildlife running about than urban areas. Because of this, when driving, especially near wooded areas, wildlife can unexpectedly jump out into the road and cause an accident.
• Whether a driver is enjoying the scenery of a rural road or driving through long stretches, they can become distracted or overcome with fatigue. This is perilous because paying attention to the road is important to staying safe. Distracted driving and fatigued driving are both risk factors for accidents.

Speak with an Attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP

There may be less traffic and lights on rural roads which could make them more appealing, but there are many hazards that exist on such roads so knowing the dangers is important to improving safety. Although, if you have been in an accident in Pennsylvania, obtaining legal counsel and representation can be advantageous.

Call Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP at (215) 731-9900 and you can schedule a free consultation with a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer to learn more about filing a claim.