I-40 is the Most Dangerous Highway in North Carolina
Last year, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) released a report examining the number of traffic crashes reported in 2017. According to the NCDOT, there were 275,067 motor vehicle collisions that resulted in 127,964 injuries and 1,396 fatalities. These alarming statistics account for more than just automobile accidents; they also include pedestrian-, motorcycle-, and bicycle-related collisions.
Common causes of traffic collisions in North Carolina
- Distracted driving
- Lane departures
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failing to yield
- Driving under the influence
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals
- Improperly changing lanes
- Tailgating
North Carolina ranks fifth in the nation when it comes to traffic fatalities because our state has incredibly dangerous roads and highways. Of course, the deadliest road in North Carolina – and other states – is Interstate 40.
Interstate 40
ASecureLife.com completed a study to raise awareness of the risks associated with seasonal driving. The investigators used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System to track traffic fatality reports from 2015-2017. By using this data, they were able to analyze which highways had the highest number of fatal traffic collisions between May and September of each year.
According to their results, Interstate 40 is North Carolina’s most dangerous highway with 61 reported fatalities. Interstate 85 ranked a close second with 50 fatalities, and U.S. Highway 64 followed with 40 fatal collisions.
The I-40 also made the following top-three lists:
- Arizona: 51 reported fatalities
- Arkansas: 6 reported fatalities
- New Mexico: 50 reported fatalities
- Oklahoma: 34 reported fatalities
- Tennessee: 85 reported fatalities
The study also confirmed that one of the most dangerous times to drive Interstate 40 is on Sundays at 2 a.m.
The Dangers of Speeding
The study also confirmed that speeding is a leading cause of traffic collisions in the United States. Texas, for instance, has the highest speed limits in the country and the most reported fatalities. ASecureLife.com reminds motorists that they don’t have to go the maximum speed limit when driving, just the minimum. As Charles Farmer, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, explains, “Driving 70 instead of 65 saves a driver at best 6½ minutes on a 100-mile trip.”
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in an Accident?
It’s impossible to predict the future, but you can prepare for it. For this reason, the car accident attorneys at Price Petho & Associates have compiled a list of 10 helpful steps to take after a traffic collision:
- Call 911 after checking the passengers and drivers for injuries.
- Don’t apologize or imply fault for the accident.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver(s).
- Take pictures of your injuries, your car, and the accident scene.
- Write down the names, phone numbers, and testimony details of any nearby witnesses.
- Help the police officers complete the accident report.
- Seek immediate medical assistance and request a copy of your updated medical record.
- Keep an ongoing record of your accident-related financial losses.
- Don’t accept calls from the defendant’s insurer.
- Reach out to a car accident lawyer in North Carolina.
These 10 steps can protect your claim and ensure your right to damages. If you’re unable to complete these steps, contact our firm as soon as possible. Our client-driven legal team can collect evidence and negotiate with claims adjusters on your behalf to secure a beneficial settlement. If the defendant’s insurance company refuses to negotiate, we can litigate in court to obtain a favorable verdict that safeguard’s your standard of living.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Contact the car accident lawyers at Price Petho & Associates if you or a loved one has been harmed by a negligent motorist. Our experienced legal team has been representing the wrongfully injured in North Carolina since 1979. Since our establishment, we have helped many car accident survivors recover significant damages through civil litigation.
Contact Price Petho & Associates P.L.L.C. at (704) 850-6322 to schedule a free consultation today.
Attorney Doug Petho is the owner and founder of Price, Petho & Associates. His primary focus is the litigation of plaintiff’s personal injury suits, and he has successfully tried hundreds of cases to jury verdict involving car accidents, trucking accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, and work-related accidents. Contact his office in Charlotte today.