No matter what part of the country you’re in, impaired driving is a serious problem that puts lives at risk and causes significant injuries and hardship for the victims. In Kings County, it’s no different. When a person gets behind the wheel of a car impaired, every car and its occupants are put in significant risk.
In rural areas like Kings County, there are some added risks that those driving the country roads face when traveling alongside impaired drivers.
Head-On Crash Takes Life of Woman in Kings County
Police say that a truck hit a car head-on the Avenal Cutoff Road between Lemore Station and the West Side Freeway early Saturday morning, April 18, 2020. Both vehicles approached each other near 30th Avenue when a pickup truck veered into oncoming traffic and hit a car carrying a 30-year-old woman. The woman driver died at the scene, and the other driver was transported to Kaweah Delta Medical Center with moderate injuries.
Investigators say that alcohol or drugs were suspected in the incident, but didn’t say which driver, nor did they give any more details.
Two-Lane Rural Highways and Impairment
It’s sometimes hard enough staying safe on some of the unlit, country highways late at night like those in Kings County without worrying about whether fellow drivers are impaired. But that’s what many drivers in the country have to contend with.
According to a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, country driving is more dangerous than city driving, and those who travel rural two-lane highways are at a significantly higher risk of death and injury. Then when the other driver is impaired, it makes driving in areas like Kings County even more dangerous
Types of Rural Accidents Affected by Impairment
One of the dangers of country driving is the short distance between two cars traveling opposite of each other at high speeds on the two-lane country roads. This makes certain types of driving difficult, and when a driver is impaired, then the likelihood of a mistake is even greater.
A report, by the Federal Highway Administration, states that 19 percent of drivers live in rural areas, yet over 50 percent of all auto accident fatalities happen on rural highways. The report also states that rural highways are more susceptible to passing accidents, head-on collisions, and rollover accidents, all made worse by the impairment of one of the drivers involved.
At Maison Law, we know how driving out on the country roads that we see every day can be dangerous without impaired drivers, and even more so once someone gets behind the wheel. We also understand the anxiety and anguish that an impaired driver can cause those survivors of an impaired driving fatality.
If you’ve been injured or have lost someone to an impaired driver, come talk to us at Maison Law and we can let you know your rights under the law. We can help you start getting justice for your loved one, and stand with you through the process of putting your life back together.
Contact a Visalia Car Accident Lawyer
After an accident involving a serious injury, speak to an experienced Visalia car accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
