Wyoming is the fourth most dangerous state to drive in, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which reports that Wyoming had 19.2 deaths per 100,000 residents. Wyoming’s numbers were not far behind the most dangerous state, Mississippi, which had 22.2 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Contrary to popular belief, more urban, traffic-congested states like New York and California are not the leaders in highway fatalities. Rural states like Wyoming are actually more likely to have higher fatalities rates as a result of car accidents.
According to the IIHS, rural roads tend to be more dangerous than urban ones for an array of reasons, including:
- Law enforcement is stretched thin.
- Speed limits are often higher.
- More livestock and wildlife are near roadways.
- Road surfaces can be inconsistent.
If you were hurt in a car accident in Cheyenne and it wasn’t your fault, you should not have to pay out of pocket for medical bills, property damage, and other expenses. If the accident was caused by someone else, you could be entitled to compensation. The highly skilled and compassionate Cheyenne car accident attorneys at the Olson Personal Injury Lawyers will review the details of your case and review your legal options.
Call Olson Personal Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential consultation.
Most Dangerous Roads in Cheyenne
Listed below are four of the most dangerous roads, highways, and intersections in Cheyenne. Each year, these roads are the site of many accidents resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities. It’s important that you exercise extra caution when traveling along these roads.
- Interstate 80
Interstate 80 traverses 11 states. The massive highway, which runs from California all the way to New Jersey, is frequently listed as one of the most dangerous roads in the country. According to a map from Geotab, a company that specializes in vehicle tracking, I-80 in Wyoming is ranked as the No. 8 most dangerous highway in the country. Geotab estimated 175 crashes and 207 fatalities over the past 10 years and a fatal crash rate of 1.4, averaging at about 17 fatal accidents every year. - Interstate 25
I-25 is mainly a north-south highway, serving as the primary route through New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. I-25 stretches from I-10 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to I-90 in Buffalo, Wyoming. I-25 is especially dangerous due to the volume of traffic and the high speeds at which vehicles travel on it. Parts of I-25 have a speed limit of 75 mph, a very high-speed limit for this portion of the highway, especially considering many drivers use the “plus 10” rule. They believe police officers will not pull them over if they are going within 10 miles per hour above the limit. That’s 85 mph. Combine that high speed with traffic congestion and the potential hazards of rural roads, and you have a recipe for an accident. - Central Avenue and Yellow Road intersection
The Drive analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and identified the most dangerous intersections in each state. In Wyoming, the most dangerous intersection was Central Avenue and Yellowstone Road in Cheyenne. - Dell Range Boulevard and Converse Avenue intersection
The Drive analysis found that the Dell Range Boulevard and Converse Avenue intersection was the second most dangerous intersection in Wyoming.
Causes of Crashes on Dangerous Roads
The following are some of the top causes of crashes on dangerous roads in Cheyenne:
- Aggressive driving – Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, ignoring the right-of-way, failing to yield, running red lights and stop signs, and other reckless, aggressive driving behaviors can cause serious accidents.
- Distracted driving – Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention off the road. This includes talking on the phone, texting, changing the radio station, eating, drinking, applying makeup, shaving, monitoring children, and more. Drivers who are distracted may veer from their lane or fail to slow down or stop when they need to.
- Drowsy driving – If a driver dozes at the wheel, they may lose control of their vehicle and veer off the road. This can be especially true in Wyoming where long stretches of open highway can dull a driver’s awareness.
- Poor or dangerous road conditions – Poorly maintained roads, damaged guardrails, inadequate lighting, and malfunctioning traffic signals can all lead to serious accidents.
- Weather conditions – In Wyoming, there can be ice, snow, and fog in the winter, as well as rain year-round. Motorists who fail to take into account dangerous weather conditions can cause accidents.
What to Do After a Cheyenne Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident in Cheyenne, make sure you take the following steps:
- Stay at the scene. Never leave the scene of the accident without stopping to contact law enforcement and exchanging information with other drivers.
- Call the police. If there are physical injuries, death, or serious property damage, call the police as soon as possible. Request that a police report be filed and record the names of the officers.
- Take photos. Use your phone or a camera to take plenty of pictures of the scene of the accident, your injuries, and damage to your vehicle.
- Talk with witnesses. Collect the contact information of all witnesses at the accident scene. Witnesses may later be helpful in your pursuit of compensation.
- Get medical attention. When the emergency medical technicians arrive, ask them to examine you, even if you feel OK at first. Some very serious conditions don’t show immediate symptoms, and adrenaline can mask pain in the shock of a crash.
- Keep track of all medical expenses. Keep detailed records of all medical records that result from your car accident injuries. This may include bills for hospital stays, emergency room treatment, doctor’s appointments, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and others.
- Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. After your accident, legal issues are likely to arise. It’s important that you have a lawyer help you navigate them. Hiring an experienced Cheyenne car accident attorney to handle all the complex legal matters will allow you to focus on your recovery.
Cheyenne’s Traffic Safety Plan
The goal of the Cheyenne Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Traffic Safety Plan is to reduce car accidents and injuries. Some of their key initiatives to increase road safety include:
- Implementing pedestrian timing devices at crossings, especially high-traffic intersections
- Completing a road safety audit for the Dell Range corridor
- Installing flashing yellow signals, especially at sites of unprotected left-hand turns
- Adding more on-street parking signs and fewer painted indicators along the roadways, which are often obscured by snow in the winter
- Implementing roundabouts at intersections where needed
- Improving overhead street signage
- Upgrading ADA ramps to better accommodate those with disabilities.
How Olson Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident on one of Cheyenne’s dangerous roadways and believe it was not your fault, don’t try to handle your case alone. The experienced Cheyenne personal injury lawyers at the Olson Personal Injury Lawyers can discuss all your legal options and make sure you understand your rights. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
