Back in 2009, the Denver 7 news station, dubbed the stretch of I-25 that runs between Sante Fe and the I-70 highway in Denver the most dangerous stretch of Colorado road. In 2017, nothing has changed. Many hundreds of crashes occur on this portion of the highway each year, including many vacationers to the state, or just passing through.
Why is I-25 in Denver so dangerous?
There are several reasons that contribute to the increased risks of driving along I-25, particularly in the Denver metro area:
- It's incredibly congested with commuters into and out of the downtown metro area. Law enforcement officials estimate that 250,000 cars drive the stretch of I-25 through Denver every day.
- Drivers become frustrated on this busy stretch of highway. Commuters are notoriously impatient, particularly during the bogged down rush hours that take place in the early morning and late afternoons. Irritated drivers take risks behind the wheel.
- Too many drivers today are distracted. Technology surrounds drivers, from their smartphones to their Bluetooth devices to the automated functions of their vehicles. Distracted driving leads to hundreds upon thousands of crashes per year, and many of those drivers are out on the Colorado highways.
How can you stay safe while driving through the Denver area?
Vacationers who are spending time in Denver and who will be navigating the roads should take extra precautions when it comes to driving. Rather than relying on a GPS in an unfamiliar location, take time to study a map of Denver before you head out on the roads in your vehicle. You can use the GPS as a back-up or to give you extra confidence, but it's important to have a working knowledge of the roadways before you begin your adventure.
You also should talk with the locals that you know to learn about the safest places to drive and the quickest ways to get where you need to go. Your hotel concierge desk should be able to give you insight into the most convenient ways for travelers to get to their preferred destination with minimal disruption. Rather than navigating the same congested roads as those who live and work in Denver, try to use back routes that are better suited to your unique circumstances.
Always have your cell phone on hand in an emergency. Of course, don't use it to text, call or post an amazing picture of a Colorado sunset to Instagram while you are driving, but make sure it is charged and available should you need to get help.
What should you do if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident while traveling?
If your vacation is disrupted because you are involved in an accident, it's important that you get the medical care that you need as soon as possible. Once you and your family are taken care of, the next thing you need to do is contact a local attorney who is familiar with the Denver landscape as well as the Colorado laws, ordinances and regulations.
A qualified local attorney can help collect the evidence necessary to determine if your accident occurred as a result of negligence on the part of the other driver. The attorney will work with you to help guide you through the Colorado legal system and advocate for you to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve. Your vacation may be tarnished by the car accident, but that doesn't mean that you should suffer the consequences for the months and years that follow.
To learn more about highway safety in Colorado and to get further information on personal injury laws in this state, contact our team of experienced attorneys today.
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