Why Rural Roads in Western Montgomery County See More Severe Car Accidents

When Pennsylvanians begin their day, very few expect to become involved in a serious car accident. The reality of driving in busy cities or quiet, rural roads is that car accidents occur without warning. Unfortunately, the impacts of these car accidents can be dramatic. Included in these impacts is the possibility of you or a passenger in your vehicle being injured. 

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. would like to draw your attention to the reality of driving in and around Montgomery County. Increasing numbers of severe car accidents have been reported on rural roads in recent years. An explanation for these accidents is provided for your consideration. 

If you have been injured behind the wheel, contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. today. A free consultation with our experienced legal team provides you with information on how to protect your rights. 

What are the differences in urban versus rural car accidents in Pennsylvania?

Factors to consider when trying to figure out why rural accidents in places like Montgomery County tend to be more severe than urban accidents include the types of roads found in both areas, as well as population density. More car accidents tend to occur in urban areas than in rural areas by virtue of there being more people in urban areas. The congestion of vehicles, busy schedules, and complicated road intersections make urban driving relatively chaotic. 

On the other hand, rural car accidents occur less frequently but are more serious. More fatalities and severe injuries are suffered in rural car accidents compared to their urban counterparts. A major explanation for this discrepancy is that rural accidents tend to occur at higher speeds. Urban car accidents may be experienced at lower speeds but can still create severe consequences. Consider that a rear-end accident in the city may involve multiple vehicles in a chain reaction. 

Ultimately, rural roads produce a higher fatality rate for motorists when compared to urban roads. This is a consistent finding and should give Montgomery County motorists reason to stop and consider what they can do to protect themselves from harm. 

Montgomery County car accidents- Why rural roads create high-speed collisions

The roadways in rural Montgomery County are a perfect combination of elements that frequently lead to severe accidents. Lighting along roads is limited. Law enforcement is few and far between. Monotonous stretches of highway make for a loss of attention for even experienced drivers. Traffic volume is lower, but the crashes that do occur often result in more serious injuries. 

Unfortunately, rural accidents tend to involve alcohol more often than those in urban areas. Public transportation, rideshare options, and taxi cabs are less timely and dependable than in cities and towns. Waiting forty minutes for a rideshare pickup is a difficult ask for someone who has had too much to drink. Why wait forty minutes for a ride to take you five miles to your home from a restaurant or bar? This is the thought process that creates too many accidents in and around Montgomery County. 

Does the location of the accident make a difference in a personal injury claim?

There are differences between rural and urban car accidents that matter for your case from a legal vantage point, as well. How evidence is collected, the way accidents are defended, and the manner in which your claim is negotiated all depend upon the site of the collision. 

Urban car accidents involve insurance companies arguing over the degree to which either driver was at fault for having caused the accident. Because impacts tend to be at lower speeds, the insurance company for an at-fault driver may devote a fair amount of time towards arguing that the injuries alleged could not have been caused by the accident itself. 

Rural car accidents occur at higher speeds, as we have discussed. The collisions tend to be more severe. This creates a circumstance where the insurance company for an at-fault driver may not argue liability. However, an argument may be presented that the actions of the driver who caused the accident could not have been avoided due to external factors. 

What do the statistics tell us about the nature of Pennsylvania car accidents?

Cyclists and pedestrians are more often involved in car accidents in cities and towns. These areas tend to allow for easier transport using methods that don’t involve motor vehicles. This is as opposed to rural areas in Montgomery County, where highways and two-way roads without medians are much more common. 

A relatively simple explanation for the greater severity of rural accidents involves drivers in Montgomery County using their seatbelts less frequently than their urban counterparts closer to the city center. 

An experienced Montgomery County car accident attorney understands how defense attorneys and insurance companies can use the site of an accident against an injured driver. When your rights are at stake, contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. for a free consultation. 

What help does a Montgomery County car accident attorney provide for you?

The greater severity of a Montgomery County car accident tends to involve more serious injuries, the possibility of extended time away from work, and costlier medical bills. In short, the stakes are often high in a rural car accident case. 

Proper documentation of your case and its timeline, a thorough understanding of the law, and a strong sense of how to fight for your rights are the advantages gained by hiring the right attorney for your case. Taking on an at-fault driver, their insurance company, and attorney without consulting first with an attorney can turn out to be a costly mistake. 

Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. for a free consultation

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. serves clients injured in Montgomery County car accidents. For information about your particular circumstances, contact our office today for a free consultation.