Rustic roads are the complete opposite of the bustling city streets that many drivers in Pennsylvania might be familiar with, but it would be wrong to assume that they are safer. In fact, the countryside can be much more dangerous for drivers, especially those who are inexperienced.
For example, many rural roads are narrow roads where passing a vehicle can be deadly and both head-on collisions and run-off-road crashes are common. Such roads also suffer from poor lighting, reducing visibility at night. Houses tend to be situated close to the road, so drivers are liable to encounter animals, too. If unprepared for such an encounter, they may lose control of the car.
Just as on urban roads, one will meet with many speeders in the countryside: perhaps even more so in the countryside because of the fewer number of police officers. Other drivers may feel that they can travel down the middle of two-lane roads, drink while driving or neglect their seat belt in rural areas.
Drivers would do well to exercise more, not less, caution in the countryside. This is where defensive driving techniques come in handy. Drivers should keep a safe following distance, put away all distractions and never assume that other drivers have their safety in mind.
With most car accidents, those who are injured can have their losses covered by their own insurance company, and the concept of negligence will never have to be brought up. When the injuries are serious, though, victims may be able to file a third-party insurance claim. In Pennsylvania, plaintiffs can recover damages as long as their percentage of fault does not exceed the defendant’s. A lawyer may help strengthen victims’ claims and negotiate on their behalf for a fair settlement with the auto insurance companies.
