Avoiding Highway and Interstate Car Accidents
Driving on highways and interstates is almost unavoidable if you live in Aiken County. Whether you are visiting neighboring Augusta, traveling on vacation, or simply want to take advantage of shopping centers and outlet malls in nearby areas, it will likely involve traveling along U.S. routes 1, 78, or 278, or along Interstate Highway 20. Unfortunately, these types of major arteries put you at risk for crashes resulting in potentially life threatening personal injuries. A recent fatal car accident highlights some of the dangers.
Highway Car Accidents More Likely to Be Fatal in South Carolina
According to statistics from the South Carolina Department Of Public Safety (SCDPS), car accidents in our area are more likely to occur on secondary roads than on major highways and interstates. However, when highway accidents do happen, they are more likely to be fatal. Factors that make these car accidents in Aiken County deadlier include:
Motorists traveling at higher rates of speed, which provides less reaction time and increases the force of impact
The greater number of cars on the road, increasing the likelihood that even a small driving error will result in an accident
A greater likelihood of tractor trailers, 18 wheelers, and other larger vehicles, which have considerable blind spots, are subject to breakdowns or flying parts, and generally increase driving risks on the road
Aiken County Highway Accident Claims Life of One Driver
A recent fatal crash on I-20 Eastbound in Aiken County is a tragic example of how dangerous highway crashes and collisions can be. According to a January 14, 2019 report by WJBF News Channel 6, the crash occurred just after 5:00 p.m. near mile marker 3, as a disabled tractor trailer sat on the side of the road.
It was resting on the eastbound shoulder while the truck driver stood in front of the cab calling for help when it was struck from behind by another vehicle. While that vehicle’s driver was rescued from his vehicle and taken to a nearby hospital, he died of his injuries the morning following the crash. The truck driver involved was not injured.
The accident unfortunately illustrates several things that can easily go wrong when driving, which if they occur on a highway or interstate could prove disastrous:
Unexpected obstacles, such as a breakdown, can easily occur and block traffic
Driver traveling at highway speeds may not have adequate time or space to respond to sudden changes or unexpected events
If there is anything to distract you either in or outside of the vehicle, such as passengers talking in the back seat, a ringing phone, or even traffic glare, it decreases the odds that you will be able to prevent a crash
Contact Us Today for Help
If you or a loved one is injured in a highway car accident or other type of crash, we encourage you to contact our Aiken personal injury attorney to request a consultation. Whenever these types of incidents occur, the Surasky Law Firm, LLC acts as a trusted ally to help the victims and their families in the aftermath.
