Idaho is one of the riskiest states when it comes to fatalities resulting from car crashes. It is estimated that each year, nearly 200 road fatalities take place in Idaho. Furthermore, these fatalities result in major damages due to settlement amounts. For example, on average settlements in the US range from $16,000 to $30,000. These include claims for personal injury, loss of income, medical bills, long term sustainability, and psychological upheaval. If you don’t want to hire an Idaho car accident attorney in the near future, keep in mind the information below.
Rural Folks Face Bigger Risks
City folks may be known for their traffic, long commuting lines. However, these aren’t the one that are at greater risk of car accidents. According to national statistics, people in rural areas are at far greater risk as compared to urban dwellers. For example, in 2016, while 182 people died in rural areas, comparatively, only 50 people died in accidents in urban areas. The longer travelling distances, the more risk taking behavior in outer urban areas, and availability of better transportation option in urban areas are key reasons for this disparity.
Men Vs. Women
While many say that men tend to be better drivers than women, statistics often disagree. On one hand, women often get better rates on their insurance premiums. This is in accordance to the more risk taking behavior from men, which can result in recklessness, and subsequently more damages, and higher settlement for insurance companies. Nearly 24.1 men per 100,000 die in car accidents each year in Idaho. While for women, this ratio is only 11: 100,000. Most men who die in fatal car crashes tend to be young in age. This is definitely the age to watch out for while driving in one of the riskiest states in the United States.
Distracted Driving
Keep in mind that Idaho laws are based on comparative negligence. This means that the more at fault you are, the less compensation you will receive. Hence, in Idaho, you should always be prepared with a well-functioning car including tail-lights, and watch out for key distractions. According to national database, 21% car accidents take place due to distracted drivers. These include, people speaking on the telephone, texting while driving. Furthermore, drinking and driving also remains a major reason for car accidents. While these cases are hard to prove (apart from drinking and driving), these can result in long-term damage to your health and life.