Site visitors accidents are a number one explanation for dying in america. Current estimates point out over 44,000 folks died in site visitors crashes in 2023 alone.
Highways and interstates are particularly hazardous as a consequence of excessive speeds, heavy site visitors, and the common presence of enormous industrial automobiles like semi vans. When accidents contain these large vans, the results are sometimes catastrophic.
The Most Harmful Highways
In keeping with knowledge from 2016-2019 by Teletrac Navman, a automobile software program firm, essentially the most harmful freeway in America is the New Mexico stretch of U.S. Route 285. This lonely highway has lengthy distances between cities and restricted providers, making breakdowns doubtlessly harmful. Locals have dubbed a portion close to Malaga as “Dying Freeway” because of the excessive variety of deadly accidents. This stretch of lethal highway covers 746 miles by way of New Mexico, ultimately ending in Denver, CO. As a result of this highway is a provide path to West Texas oil fields, it’s utilized by oil subject vans and staff. One examine discovered that deadly accidents spiked when oil costs rose, with 93 deaths in 2017.
California Freeway 190, often known as Dying Valley Street, ranks second. Temperatures right here can attain excessive highs, once more making breakdowns hazardous because of the highway’s distant location.
Interstate 4 in Florida, connecting Tampa to Daytona Seaside, is third. Heavy congestion from locals and vacationers, many driving rental vehicles, contributes to its excessive accident charge. The shut proximity of Disney World and Orlando don’t assist, both, with the park receiving greater than 17 million guests in 2023. From 2016-2019, I-4 averaged 1.134 fatalities per mile. Some sections of this highway are extra harmful than others, with Plant Metropolis a specific accident blackspot.
Different harmful highways embrace:
- U.S. Route 90 in Texas
- Hawaii Route 200 on the Massive Island
- U.S. Route 550 in Colorado, referred to as the “Million Greenback Freeway”
What are the Most Frequent Causes of Freeway Crashes?
Whereas site visitors volumes play a task, different components trigger accidents on these lethal roads. Inclement climate, like snow, ice, or heavy rain can result in hazardous driving situations. Inadequate lighting at night time additionally endangers drivers.
However essentially the most important components seen by automobile accident legal professionals are human error and unsafe driving behaviors. Rushing, distracted or impaired driving, and aggressiveness behind the wheel contribute to most freeway crashes. Street design may also be a difficulty – issues like slim lanes, poor signage, lack of shoulders and guardrails, and unsafe intersections.
Stopping Accidents and Enhancing Street Security
Options exist to make highways safer, however they require cooperation between state and native governments. Widening roads, including correct lighting, redesigning intersections, and putting in medians and guardrails may scale back danger.
Public consciousness campaigns, harsher penalties for violations like DUI and rushing, and higher driver training may all assist stop accidents. Whereas value stays a barrier, the potential to avoid wasting hundreds of lives makes investing in highway security—and holding negligent events accountable—a transparent precedence.
However, What Ought to I Do After a Automobile or Truck Accident on a Freeway?
Truck accidents, particularly these involving massive industrial automobiles or semi vans, are much more complicated than normal automobile crashes. These instances usually contain a number of events, together with drivers, trucking firms, upkeep crews, and insurance coverage suppliers. The accidents sustained in truck accidents are regularly extreme or deadly, making the authorized and monetary stakes extremely excessive.A semi truck accident lawyer has the expertise wanted to analyze these collisions, protect proof, and maintain all accountable events accountable. They perceive federal trucking rules, can entry black field knowledge, and can struggle to safe truthful compensation for the damages of victims and households. After a devastating truck crash on a harmful freeway, having the best authorized illustration could make all of the distinction in your restoration and future.