If you sort fatal accident statistics based on where these crashes occur, an interesting phenomenon becomes clear. On rural roads, which tend to be more remote, the fatality rates are higher. The total accident numbers may be lower or the same as in the city, but it is more likely for people to pass away from their injuries.
But why does the location make such a difference? There are typically more vehicles on urban streets at any given time, making them feel more dangerous. What is it about more remote accidents that actually increase the risk?
Lack of access to medical care
One of the biggest issues with these accidents is that medical care is inherently further away. People sometimes suffer from injuries like internal bleeding, which have to be addressed quickly. If they are close to a hospital, they may get medical care in a few minutes and eventually make a full recovery. But if they are half an hour from the hospital, they could succumb to their injuries before emergency crews even arrive.
Higher speed limits
A related issue is that remote roads tend to have higher speed limits, and there is a link between high speeds and fatality rates. If someone is driving on the interstate at 70 miles an hour or on the highway at 55 to 60 miles an hour, the odds of fatal injuries are much higher than if they are driving at 20 or 30 miles an hour in the city.
Have you lost a loved one in a fatal accident? If it was caused by another driver, you may deserve substantial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, loss of consortium and more.