The Most Dangerous Roads in Indiana
The Most Dangerous Roads in Indiana
Residents of Indiana know that certain roads have a reputation for being more dangerous than others. But is that really the case? If so, what makes a road more dangerous, and is there anything that drivers can do to reduce the risks of traveling on a dangerous road?
At the Tabor Law Firm, our experienced Indiana personal injury lawyers have more than 150 years of experience handling all types of motor vehicle accident claims. We understand the confusion and frustration that naturally follows in the wake of a serious car or truck accident, and we offer all prospective clients a free consultation to discuss their options. Additionally, our lawyers are immediately available to answer any other questions you may have about your rights, what you could potentially recover, and how to go about successfully bringing a case against those responsible for your injuries.
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(317) 236-9000 or fill out and submit an online contact form to request a free and confidential case evaluation.
What Makes a Road Dangerous?
While a major truck accident can happen on almost any road or highway, there are a few different factors that make certain roads more dangerous than others. Some of the hazards that contribute to a road being more dangerous include:
Lack of Maintenance
Even those roads that are well-constructed need to be maintained to remain safe for motorists. Necessary road maintenance includes placing accurate road signs, ensuring that potholes are quickly filled, and trimming nearby trees to make sure that drivers aren’t blinded by branches. In most cases, state or local governments have a duty to maintain a road. For example, major Indiana highways are maintained by the Indiana Department of Transportation, while smaller city roads are the responsibility of the city where they are located.
Poor Design
It may seem like there isn’t much that can go wrong when designing a road, but that isn’t the case. In fact, poor road design is one of the biggest factors when it comes to what makes a road dangerous. For example, curved roads can make it harder for drivers to see oncoming traffic, and roads that have poorly placed road signs can confuse drivers, increasing the chance they make a mistake that leads to an accident. Additionally, many roads and highways in Indiana were created years ago and were not designed to handle the amount of traffic they receive today.
Weather Factors
While most accidents occur on clear days, that fact alone doesn’t mean all that much because most days don’t present weather-related concerns. However, approximately half of all fatal traffic accidents in Indiana happen during periods of inclement weather, including fog, rain, hail, snow, and strong crosswinds. Of all the potentially hazardous weather conditions, smog, fog, and smoke are the most dangerous, resulting in 11.1 fatalities per 1,000 accidents.
Poor weather conditions increase the risk of a weather-related accident. For example, fog reduces motorists’ ability to see, and snow and ice can both interfere with drivers’ vision and create a slick road surface. And, due to where a road is located, some roads experience more fog, rain, snow and adverse weather conditions than others.
Traffic
Driving in traffic is undoubtedly annoying, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. Traffic jams increase the risk of an accident for a few reasons. First, the mere fact that there are many other vehicles on the road creates more visual stimuli for drivers, who need to take in their surroundings when determining how to safely navigate the road. Second, many drivers lose patience when sitting in traffic and may engage in aggressive driving behavior or even road rage.
Not surprisingly, the evening rush hour period between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. experienced the highest rate of accidents. For example, according to the most recently available data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, the evening rush hour experiences two to five times more accidents than any other time period throughout the day.
What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Indiana?
Anyone who’s spent more than a few hours driving in Indiana knows that some of the state’s roads and highways can be pretty stressful to drive. And, for good reason, some roads experience a startlingly high rate of accidents. While any motor vehicle collision creates the potential for serious injury or death, no single type of accident is as dangerous as an Indiana truck accident. Thus, it’s not surprising that the majority of the most dangerous roads in Indiana are those frequently traveled by truck drivers.
Often, these roads are located in non-urban areas. In fact, in 2019, accidents in suburban and rural areas made up just 27 percent of all collisions but represented more than half of all fatal collisions. Fatal accidents most often occur on county roads, state roads, and U.S. routes. Additionally, about 67 percent of all fatal traffic accidents happen where there is no intersection, such as on a major highway. Those accidents involving head-on collisions, running off the road, and hitting a fixed object were the most likely to result in fatal injuries.
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 travels in the north-south direction and goes right through Indianapolis. Drivers use this major highway when traveling to and from Chicago and Louisville. Given the direct route that I-65 takes, many truckers also use this highway.
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is one of the most unique highways in Indiana, and the United States, because it consists of 10 unconnected segments. The original part of I-69 goes from Indianapolis to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan. Truck drivers traveling in the north-south direction use Interstate 69, especially when coming to and from Canada.
U.S. 30
United States Route 30 travels in the east-west direction through the northern part of Indiana. This highway connects Fort Wayne to the south Chicago suburbs and is frequently traveled by both cars and trucks.
Interstate 94
I-94 runs across the southern border of Lake Michigan in the far north portion of Indiana. While only a small portion of I-94 is located in Indiana, this is a frequently traveled highway due to the fact that it connects many cities in the Midwest.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Accidents are extremely stressful situations, and it’s not always clear what you should do after a collision. However, regardless of where a car accident happens, it is important drivers take certain steps to ensure they protect their health as well as their ability to pursue a car or truck accident lawsuit. By following these steps, you can make sure that you’ve covered all your bases so, if you decide to bring an accident lawsuit against the at-fault party, you won’t encounter any surprises:
- Report the accident either by calling 911 or the local county sheriff.
- Gather as much information as you can by obtaining witnesses’ contact information and taking photographs of the accident scene.
- Obtain immediate medical care.
- Be cautious when discussing the accident with any person who is working for an insurance company.
- Document your injuries and save all medical records.
- Reach out to an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney as soon as you are able to do so.
Importantly, Indiana law permits accident victims to recover financial compensation for their injuries even if they were partially at fault. Therefore, it is imperative that you reach out to an attorney even if you think that you may share responsibility for the accident.
Should Accident Victims Work with a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most accident victims choose to work with an experienced Indiana personal injury lawyer for a few reasons. First, the weeks and months after an accident can be an incredibly stressful time. You’re not only dealing with overcoming your physical injuries but also learning to adjust to day-to-day differences in your life. Many accident victims find the thought of pursuing legal action against another driver and their insurance company to be overwhelming. And understandably, having a lawyer who has successfully been through the process many times before is appealing.
Another reason to consult with an injury lawyer is that the personal injury process can be confusing, and it’s common for unrepresented accident victims to make seemingly small mistakes that, in the end, can hurt their case. And because most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency agreement, there is no risk to speaking with a lawyer, and if you allow them to bring a case on your behalf, they won’t bill you for their services unless they can recover damages in your case.
Damages in an Indiana Car Accident Lawsuit
Those who successfully bring a claim against another driver are legally entitled to recover money for the economic and non-economic damages they suffered as a result of the accident. While the exact damages amount in any particular case depends on many circumstances, in general, the victims can obtain compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Impaired ability to earn an income
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Decreased quality of life
- Scarring or other disfigurement
- Loss of or damage to familial relationship
An experienced Indiana truck accident lawyer can help victims understand the full extent of their damages to ensure they are fairly compensated for everything they’ve been through.
Have You Been Injured in an Indiana Car or Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one was recently hurt in an accident on one of Indiana’s most dangerous roads—or anywhere else, for that matter—reach out to the dedicated injury lawyers at Tabor Law Firm for immediate assistance. At the Tabor Law Firm, we have more than 150 years of hands-on experience helping accident victims and their families recover fair compensation for their injuries and losses. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, during which we will explain the recovery process, answer your questions, and provide you with an honest assessment of your case. That way, you can walk out of our meeting knowing that you have the information you need to make the best decision for yourself and your family. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, give the Tabor Law Firm a call at 317-236-900. You can also connect with our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers through our secure online contact form.
Did you suffer injuries in a truck or car accident caused through no fault of your own? Call us at
(317) 236-9000 or contact us online to find out how we can help.
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