Highway accidents are a particularly dangerous type of motor vehicle collision, often resulting in more severe injuries and higher rates of fatality compared to accidents on local roads. Understanding the factors that contribute to the severity of these crashes is crucial for recognizing the heightened risks associated with highway travel and the potential consequences for victims. For more information on why highway accidents tend to be more severe, continue reading below. Secure the help of an experienced Washington, D.C. auto accident lawyer for assistance after a collision.
Why Do Highway Accidents Tend to Be More Severe?
Highway accidents are often more severe compared to collisions on local roads, mainly due to the significantly higher speeds involved. On interstate highways and expressways, speed limits typically range from around 55 to 75 mph. When a vehicle goes faster, it hits with much more force. The physics of a crash means that even a small bump in speed could cause a huge difference in the destructive force of the impact.
In addition, highways often involve larger and heavier vehicles, such as commercial tractor-trailers, operating at these high speeds. Collisions with these vehicles are inherently more catastrophic. The nature of highway driving has less frequent stopping and fewer intersections, meaning that drivers often have less reaction time to prevent a high-speed crash, and when a collision does occur, it is frequently high-impact and could result in vehicle rollovers and multiple vehicle pile-ups.
What Injuries Are Common in Highway Accidents?
Because of the high-impact nature of highway accidents, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic and life-altering. These injuries typically stem from the extreme forces exerted upon the body during a high-speed collision, rollover, or pile-up.
Common injuries include Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), ranging from mild concussions to severe, penetrating injuries, often caused by the head striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, or from rapid acceleration/deceleration forces. Spinal cord injuries are also frequent, often leading to partial or complete paralysis.
Other severe injuries involve fractures, particularly compound fractures of the limbs, ribs, and pelvis, which can require extensive surgery and long-term rehabilitation. Internal injuries such as ruptured organs and internal bleeding are serious and potentially life-threatening, often requiring immediate intervention. Whiplash is also common, though often underestimated. In high-speed crashes, this ailment can lead to chronic neck and back pain, as well as nerve damage. The severity of these injuries is directly related to the increased danger associated with highway driving.
Does Weather Make Highway Accidents More Severe?
Yes, poor weather conditions significantly increase the risk and severity of highway accidents. Rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce visibility and decrease tire traction, increasing stopping distances and making high-speed driving all the more dangerous. When drivers fail to adjust their speed for slippery roads, the likelihood of losing control, jackknifing, or causing a chain-reaction pile-up increases, often leading to more destructive collisions than those occurring in nice weather.