Highways vs. City Roads: Which Are More Dangerous in Delray Beach?

Highways and city roads each have their own unique sets of hazards. But which is more dangerous? Highways are famous for their high speeds, but city roads can be more congested and complex. If you were involved in either a city or highway crash, you may be able to work with a Delray Beach car accident attorney and pursue compensation for your injuries.

More Crashes Occur in Cities

Crashes in cities are more common than crashes on highways. In other words, you are more likely to crash while driving through a city compared to driving on a highway. Cities are technically more dangerous for various reasons. First, there are more intersections. These areas are more prone to crashes because of complex rules regarding left and right turns.

Drivers must also yield to more pedestrians in cities, and this adds another layer of complexity to city driving. Cities are also associated with more frequent stops, meaning you can’t simply put your foot on the gas pedal and coast for miles and miles.

Highways Cause More Death and Destruction Per Mile

On the other hand, highways are more dangerous and destructive per mile traveled. This is an interesting metric that is arguably a more reliable measure of how dangerous travel really is. Highway crashes also generally lead to more expensive injury claims and lawsuits, which tells you how serious they can be.

Highway crashes can be far more destructive than city crashes for obvious reasons. The speeds are simply much higher, and this makes fatalities and catastrophic injuries far more likely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that speed is a factor in 29% of all fatal crashes. Other sources state that for every 10-mph increase in speed, your risk of dying doubles.

What Kinds of Negligence Can Cause Highway Crashes?

Different types of negligence may lead to highway crashes compared to city crashes. On a highway, switching lanes without warning can be particularly dangerous. At low speeds on city roads, a negligent lane switch may only lead to a mild scrape. When you increase the speed of these vehicles, even a minor bump can cause someone to veer off the road and suffer fatal injuries.

What Kind of Negligence Can Lead to City Crashes?

City crashes are often caused by a lack of understanding of basic traffic rules. Failing to yield the right of way is a common mistake. Drivers may also be tempted to run red lights, particularly when rushing to and from work during rush hour.

Can a Delray Beach Highway Crash Lawyer Help Me? 

If you were injured in a Delray Beach highway crash, contact an experienced lawyer to assess your next potential legal steps. You can also work with a lawyer if you’re recovering from an injury from a crash on a city road. Speak with Steinberg Law today to learn more about the next steps.

Sources:

 dangerousroads.org/around-the-world/vehicles/13783-are-highways-safer-than-city-streets.html

nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding