Gainesville Accident Attorney Explains Run-Off-The-Road Crashes

Run-off-the-road accidents are particularly dangerous. In this article, Gainesville accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, explains the danger of these types of crashes and their common causes.

What is it?

A run-off -the-road crash, also called a road or lane departure accident, occurs when a vehicle drifts, is maneuvered, or leaves the roadway before crashing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines it as any single vehicle crash in which the first harmful event occurs off the road. Lane departure crashes are one of the most serious of the major crash types, since they may result in the vehicle rolling over.

Why is it so dangerous?

A run-off-the-road crash is particularly dangerous, since a high percentage result in a vehicle rolling over. Departure from the roadway may "trip" the car, causing it to roll over. In 2001, lane departure crashes accounted for 20% of all crashes and 41% of all fatalities. Rollover crashes have a high fatality rate, compared with all other crashes.

Common Causes:

The number one reason for road departure crashes is excessive speed, according to the NHTSA. This happens when the vehicle travels too fast to keep under control, especially when approaching a curve. Overall, there isn't one main reason for run-off-the road accidents.

The NHTSA cites the following as common causes:

  • 1. Excessive speed (32%);
  • 2. Driver incapacitation, such as drowsiness or intoxication, (20.1%);
  • 3. Loss of directional control, such as wet or icy pavement, (16%);
  • 4. Evasive maneuvering, like swerving to avoid debris, (15.7% );
  • 5. Driver inattention, such as texting or any activity other than driving, (12.7%); and
  • 6. Vehicle failure, such as a tire blow out or steering failure, (3.6%).

Common Characteristics:

The NHTSA states that road departure crashes often happen when driving:

  • On a straight roadway (76%);
  • In good weather (73%);
  • On a dry road (62%);
  • On a rural or a suburban road (75%); and
  • Evenly split during night and daytime conditions.

For more information on lane departure accidents:

How can I avoid a run-off-the-road crash? Gainesville accident attorney explains

Sideswipe Accidents - Fault, General Causes, and Possible Ways to Avoid a Lane Departure Crash.





We at the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of an accident or in the recovery from one.  

We are experienced personal injury attorneys, trial lawyers, negotiators, litigators, paralegals, and staff that have been proudly working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 30 years in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, and the rest of North Central Florida and North Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and medical malpractice are all included in our practice.

Based on Jeffrey Meldon's, founder of The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon & Associates, over 30 years of helping accident victims get justice and a fair shake from the insurance companies, he has written the consumer guide book, Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case.  You can request your free, no obligation copy right now, or contact our office for your complimentary copy sent to you today.

Contact the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon at (800) 373-8000 or (352) 373-8000 immediately if you have been involved in a serious auto, truck, or motorcycle accident.  We are in your community, have the experience and resources required to work towards obtaining a fair settlement for you - we are here to help you.

We proudly handle accidents that occur on all roads and in the areas including: I-75, I-10, I-95, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 441, State Road 40, State Road 26, State Road 24, Archer Road, Main St, and University Avenue.  Our law firm has  been representing accident victims in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, Palatka, Crystal River, Daytona Beach, Interlachen, Spring Hill, Dunnellon, Bunnell, Live Oak, Starke, Jasper, Cross City, Perry, Trenton,  Leesberg,  Lake Butler,  Tavares, Chiefland, Bronson, Brooksville, The Villages and the counties of Alachua, Marion, Columbia, Citrus, Volusia, Sumter, Levy, Lake, Bradford, Flagler, Hamilton, Dixie, Gilchrist, Union, Hernando, Suwannee, Union, and Putnam, and, since 1971!