Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers | June 12, 2025 | Car Accidents
The vast majority of nationwide crashes happen in just a few locations in each area examined. For example, a Southern California study found that 65% of crashes that caused injury or death occur on only 5.5% of area roads.
Similarly, a review of local car accident statistics shows that West Virginia collisions tend to cluster around a few dangerous corridors. This blog discusses some of the roads to watch out for.
Why Do Crash Hotspots Form?
Car accident researchers face a challenging contradiction. Although approximately 94% of crashes are caused by driver-related behaviors, such as speeding, improper signaling, and distracted driving, these accidents don’t occur randomly. Logically, one might expect that risky drivers would pose a danger wherever they go.
However, when crash data is mapped, clear patterns emerge: certain roads consistently experience more accidents than others. This pattern suggests that geography plays a significant role in traffic accidents. The prevailing theory is that some areas are simply less forgiving of driving mistakes. Risky behaviors may occur everywhere, but the consequences are more severe in certain locations.
For instance, running a stop sign on a quiet residential street might not lead to a crash, but the same behavior on a busy highway is far more likely to result in an accident. As a result, crash hotspots emerge not just from how people drive, but where they drive.
What Factors Make Roads Risky?
Some non-driving factors that can make certain roads riskier than others include:
- Road design, such as sharp turns or intersections
- Poor traffic controls, such as speed limits set too high
- Vehicle congestion
These conditions amplify the mistakes drivers make, leading to collisions rather than near-misses or harmless errors.
Dangerous Roads in West Virginia
The following roads are often cited as some of the most dangerous in West Virginia:
I-77 in Mercer County
Interstate highways are dangerous because vehicles, including heavy trucks, travel at high speeds. In Mercer County, I-77 features several curves where poor directional control, speeding, and distracted driving can easily contribute to a collision.
I-81 in Martinsburg
Another common problem on interstate highways is that drivers are often tempted to speed on straight, flat stretches. This behavior may elevate the risk of crashes on I-81 as it passes through Martinsburg.
US-60/Maccorkle Ave in South Charleston
One hazard posed by U.S. routes and state highways is that they’re usually wide and have relatively high speed limits. However, they often lack a median to separate traffic. Thus, head-on collisions are possible. Moreover, unlike interstate highways, these major routes may also have intersections where rear-end and side-impact crashes can occur.
Navigating West Virginia Safely
Although crashes can happen anywhere, there are certain locations where they’re much more likely. You can reduce your chances of causing a collision by managing your speed and minimizing distractions. However, other drivers might not be as careful as you are. As such, you should always wear a seat belt in case another driver hits you.
If you need help or have been in a collision in West Virginia, reach out to Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers. We offer a free consultation with a car accident lawyer.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Charleston, Beckley, Morgantown, WV.
Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers – Charleston
746 Myrtle Rd
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 346-5990
Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers – Beckley
101 N Kanawha St, Suite 101
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 252-5990
Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers – Morgantown
453 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive, Suite 300
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 225-5990
