Just how safe are the roads in Fayetteville and Cumberland County? Cliffdale Rd., from Beverly Dr. to Lansdowne Rd., in Fayetteville, is the deadliest stretch of road in North Carolina, according to a recent study by MoneyGeek. The study analyzed data from 2,395 roads out of the state’s 229,011 miles of road to reach its conclusions. Charlotte had the most dangerous concentrations of roads overall, but the single deadliest stretch sits right here in Fayetteville.
In the three years reviewed, North Carolina recorded 4,017 fatal crashes—an alarming number that underscores how quickly a serious wreck can change your life. Understanding the causes behind these crashes can help you stay safer on the road, and knowing what to do afterward, including speaking with a Fayetteville car accident lawyer, can make a difficult situation more manageable.
What makes certain roads more dangerous than others?
Some roads are inherently more dangerous than others, with sharp turns, blind hills and curves, and heavy traffic that increase the risk of a crash. Shifting traffic patterns, especially in construction zones, can also increase crash risk, even when drivers are paying attention. The stretches of highways and interstates where vehicles merge and exit are also perilous, with vehicles shifting lanes rapidly and suddenly accelerating or decelerating.
Infrastructure and weather conditions create conditions in which an accident is more likely to occur. So does driver behavior; in fact, the overwhelming majority of car crashes are due to driver negligence and recklessness.
The MoneyGeek study, based on information from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDoT), backs this up. It found that drunk driving was a factor in 23% of the fatal accidents in the three-year period, or 941 out of 4,017. Drinking and driving is second only to speeding as the top cause of fatal crashes. In the study, speeding was a major contributing factor in 25% of the collisions, or 1,019 out of 4,017.
Distracted driving was another factor, accounting for 286 out of the accidents in the study, or 7% of the total. Distractions can be manual (removing the hands from the wheel to eat or put on makeup), cognitive (daydreaming or carrying on an intense conversation), or visual (taking your eyes off the road to read a text message or check the GPS). Using a phone or other electronic communication device while driving contains all three types of distractions.
Texting and driving, or otherwise manually operating a cell phone while driving, is illegal for all drivers in North Carolina, though drivers over 18 may use voice commands to operate their phones while behind the wheel.
Preventing accidents on dangerous roads
Driving while intoxicated, using a phone, and exceeding the speed limit are all controllable actions. If you’ve been drinking or plan to go out on the town, arrange a safe, sober ride home, either with a designated driver or by using a rideshare service.
Speeding can also be avoided by following the speed limit at all times. In inclement weather, at night, or when construction is underway, it’s important to reduce your speed, even below the posted speed limit; speed limits are set for daytime driving in clear weather.
Using a phone while driving is also entirely within the driver’s control. Queue up your playlist or podcast before starting the car, and set your phone for voice control so you can keep your hands on the wheel.
While you can’t predict what other drivers will do, staying alert and driving defensively can help you avoid many dangerous situations. Defensive driving courses, such as the one offered locally through Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) and through approved online providers, teach practical strategies for identifying hazards early. FTCC’s options, including the Alive at 25 program, can help you become a more confident driver and may even qualify you for an insurance discount.
How a lawyer can help you after a car accident
North Carolina has some of the strictest car accident liability laws in the country. It is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes the collision is responsible for the damages others suffer. However, the state also follows contributory negligence; if you are even 1% at fault, you can be barred from recovering compensation.
A Fayetteville car accident attorney can help protect your rights and position your claim correctly from the start. Immediately after a crash, call 911, speak only with the responding officers, and avoid making comments that could be seen as admitting fault. Once you’re safe, contact a Fayetteville car accident attorney for a consultation. An experienced lawyer can manage communication with the insurance company, challenge unfair blame, and guide you through every step of the claims process.
What to do next after a Fayetteville car accident
A serious crash can leave you overwhelmed, but you don’t have to go through the aftermath alone. Getting legal help early can make your claim stronger and protect you from insurance tactics designed to limit your recovery.
If you were hurt in a collision in Fayetteville or the surrounding areas, contact us online or call (866) 823-8288 to speak with a car accident attorney. We’re here to answer your questions, review your options, and help you move forward.