Car Accident Lawyers Ipswich

The common injuries resulting from these accidents range from minor to life-threatening and can include:

1. Whiplash: Common in rear-end collisions, whiplash can result in long-term discomfort and mobility issues if not promptly addressed.

2. Fractures: Fractures and broken bones are frequent consequences of high-impact collisions and often require lengthy periods of rehabilitation.

3. Traumatic brain injuries: From mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries, head injuries can have a significant impact on the victim's quality of life.

4. Psychological trauma: The mental impact of an accident should not be overlooked, with conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression often developing in the aftermath of a serious incident.

1. Distracted driving: Distracted driving, including using mobile phones or engaging in other activities that divert attention from the road, is a significant contributor to road accidents in Ipswich.

2. Speeding: Excessive speed is a serious issue. Drivers exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast in certain conditions are significant causes of accidents, particularly on high-speed highways. In 2021, a tragic accident saw the death of four people – including children – when a driver allegedly speeding around 150 kph travelled the wrong way down the Ipswich Motorway.

3. Impaired driving: Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or fatigue remains a significant and dangerous issue, often leading to severe accidents. Despite a decades-long focus on reducing drunk driving, there have been recent high-profile cases of drunk driving in Ipswich.

The Ipswich City Council Road Safety Report released in 2020 also identified a number of factors putting residents at increased risk on the roads:

• High car use: Ipswich has a high dependence on cars, with about 85% of all trips in the city made by private vehicles. This reliance on cars, particularly for short trips and journeys to work and education, can lead to serious implications for traffic congestion, parking demand, economic development, the environment, safety, and public health.
• Population growth: Ipswich's population, currently around 240,000, is expected to more than double over the coming decades. This significant growth will increase demand on the transport system, particularly the road network, potentially leading to more accidents.
• Low-density suburban form: The low-density suburban form across the nation is difficult to service viably with meaningful public transport. Due to impractical trip lengths, it does not encourage walking and cycling and, in turn, promotes the use of private vehicles, which can contribute to higher accident rates.
• Uncompetitive public transport: The existing bus network in Ipswich is a 'coverage' network servicing predominantly 'captive riders' who use the system because they do not have access to private transport options. The low frequencies and long journey times associated with a number of the bus routes mean people who have access to private transport do not consider using public transport for their journey to work, with the exception of those commuting to Brisbane city for work. This results in more cars on the road and potentially more accidents.

According to the Queensland Police Service, there were 1,309 road accidents in Ipswich, Queensland in 2022. 

The most common type of accident was a single-vehicle crash, accounting for 48% of all accidents. The second most common type of accident was a two-vehicle crash, accounting for 36% of all accidents.

The most common time of day for road accidents in Ipswich, Queensland, is between 5pm and 6 pm, and the most common day of the week for road accidents is Saturday.

Data from the Australian Road Deaths Database shows 25 road fatalities occurred in the Ipswich region in 2022, which extends into the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim. 

Most Vulnerable Ipswich Road Users

The most vulnerable road users in Ipswich are pedestrians and cyclists. Twenty percent of Ipswich residents ride a bicycle during a typical week, and 28% of Ipswich residents ride in a typical month. Of those who ride regularly, 84% of cyclists ride for recreation, 7% ride to commute, and 6% for education purposes.

Two of the 24 road fatalities in the Ipswich region in 2022 were pedestrians or cyclists.

Here are some of the most common car accident hotspots and stats in Ipswich:

1. Ipswich Motorway: As the main motorway from the Ipswich region to Brisbane and the main Queensland motorway network the road sees high speeds and the highest traffic volumes in the region. As a result, it naturally sees frequent accidents which can cause significant traffic delays.
2. Cunningham Highway: As one of the main arteries connecting Ipswich to the Southern Downs, the Cunningham Highway sees high volumes of traffic and is a hotspot for accidents. The Yamanto and Willowbank sections are particularly prone to accidents.
3. Warrego Highway: The Warrego Highway, particularly around the Brassall and Dinmore exits, is another accident-prone route due to its high traffic volume and complex intersections.
4. Brisbane Road: Brisbane Road, especially around the Booval and Bundamba areas, sees frequent collisions due to its numerous intersections and heavy traffic.
5. Centenary Highway: The section of the Centenary Highway around Springfield Lakes often sees accidents due to its high-speed limits and rapidly increasing local traffic.‍
6. Robertson Road and Whitehill Road, Eastern Heights: Over the span of five years from 2017 to 2021, this intersection was the site of 12 significant collisions resulting in serious injuries. In 2023, Ipswich City Council secured $694,000 in Federal Black Spot Program funding which will be used to install a central median strip on Robertson Road to prevent right turning.