Heavy traffic can raise the risk for a crash, so most drivers in California are rightfully cautious when navigating urban roads. However, this is not the only factor that can make a road dangerous, and drivers should be aware that even the least populated areas can be deadly.

Consider what rural roads are like: Most are narrow two-lane roads that are poorly lit and that are in close proximity to people's homes. Nighttime driving can be difficult, and both animals from those homes and wildlife from anywhere else may come out and spook drivers. The narrowness of the lanes and shoulders makes both head-on collisions and run-off road crashes more likely. Passing a vehicle is usually unsafe on such roads.

Making matters worse are inexperienced drivers who assume that rural roads are safer than urban roads and develop a false sense of security that makes them lax and inattentive. Others, perceiving how there are few officers in rural areas to enforce traffic laws, will speed, drink and drive, ride down both lanes of a two-lane road and commit other reckless acts.

Drivers should be more vigilant in the countryside and remember the defensive driving tips they learned long ago. They should never assume, for instance, that other drivers are watching out for their safety.

When car accidents occur because of a driver who was being negligent or reckless, then there can be good grounds for a personal injury claim. Victims, even those who share some of the blame for their injuries, may file a claim and, if successful, be compensated for their monetary and non-monetary losses like medical bills, lost wages and emotional trauma. Before moving forward, though, victims may wish to have some legal counsel. A lawyer may be helpful at the negotiation stage.