In the growing state of Colorado, Colorado Springs is a vibrant city that boasts an expanding economy, lush natural beauty, umpteen recreational opportunities, and a top-rated education system. The current population of this city stands at 492,088, with an annual growth rate of 0.6%.
Up every alley and avenue, one can find an eclectic bunch of folks who love life and believe in making the most of each day. However, the city’s road safety conditions have been anything but good (especially in recent years).
In 2023, 49 people lost their lives in road accidents (both car and motorcycle). The city’s officials revealed that speeding over the prescribed limit and aggressive driving were the two major contributing factors. Such tragedies leave the victims and their families with unimaginable loss and suffering.
In this article, we will discuss, in detail, the sad aftermath of rising road accidents across Colorado Springs.
The City Grapples with Rising Road Accidents
2023 was yet another year where Colorado Springs’ residents had to face the gruesome reality that its roads were unsafe. Is driver indiscretion at fault? Yes, and that makes the possibility of a crash even worse.
In other words, some of the worst roads to drive across the city include North Academy Boulevard, West Cimarron Street, North Powers Boulevard, and Interstate 25. Most of these intersections and roads see heavy commuter traffic daily and have sudden blind turns, which makes them dangerous.
If you add to it the risk of reckless motorists, a fatal crash is only waiting to happen. What’s worse is that such motorists are usually adolescents or young adults with their whole lives ahead of them (suddenly severed and cut short). Only last year, 18-year-old Deyancie Parsons lost control of his vehicle and met a fatal end at Powers Boulevard.
Horrific Outcomes from Health and Legal Viewpoints
Gruesome road accidents across Colorado Springs are only the beginning of a long trail of physical and emotional agony. The aftermath can seldom be favorable. For instance – In Deyancie’s case, the poor teen lost his life.
His family (especially his mother Vanessa Gilbert) had her world turn upside down when she received the news of her son’s demise. With great sorrow, she stated that the experience is so gruesome that every day it feels like “losing that person all over again.”
One cannot imagine the emotional suffering the victim’s surviving family has to go through. Even in non-fatality cases, the injuries can be debilitating, reducing the victim’s quality of life. Some of these injuries include paraplegia, brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, lacerations and deep bruises, etc.
From a legal perspective, the Springs Law Group states that the process can be extremely complex and taxing. The victim must fight against tactical insurance companies who will try every trick in the books to avoid fair compensation.
Then, there is the issue of multiple liable parties in some cases. Here, the evidence and discovery process can be long-drawn and stressful. Without a reliable Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer, victims may have to settle for less than what they deserve. This includes compensation for physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Road Safety Precautions That Can Reduce Such Tragic Occurrences
Accidents are life-altering, including the most minor ones. Each leaves a certain degree of dent on their victims (be it physical injuries or monetary loss). Colorado Springs’ problem can only come under control when officials, motorists, and pedestrians do their bit for prevention.
Let’s look at some road safety precautions that can help reduce such tragic occurrences –
- It is never safe to overstep the prescribed speed limit. Speeding gives less time for the driver to take corrective measures for a looming collision. Driving within the speed limit increases the response time and road safety.
- Pedestrians are advised to only cross streets when the lights are red. Even then, they must use designated spots like a zebra crossing. Cases of pedestrian deaths across the state of Colorado have increased significantly.
- Some drivers move around with an outdated car or a poorly maintained one. This increases the risk of an accident (despite good driving etiquette). A good car with modern features like cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, etc., goes a long way in ensuring safety. Plus, the car must be taken for professional maintenance services periodically for it to stay in ship shape.
- Drivers must stay vigilant on the road at all costs. Situational awareness can help save lives because distracted driving is a leading cause of road accidents. All distractions like talking to fellow passengers, attending/making phone calls, eating, etc., must be avoided behind the wheel.
- Intoxication is also a major reason for road accidents (even Colorado Springs). Drivers must never drink and drive. City officials need to conduct random inspections of drivers and charge heavy fines for violators.
The abovementioned precautions can reduce the risk of road accidents across Colorado Springs considerably. Finally, the truth is that one’s safety lies in one’s own hands (to a large extent). If every motorist does their part and avoids meddling with aggressive drivers, they can help make the city safer.
Especially during the winter, the city’s freezing temperatures present treacherous road conditions. Then, it becomes all the more essential to stay within the speed limit, stick to lane driving, keep the windows defrosted, and avoid all manner of distractions.
