Posted in Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on July 15, 2015
I-65 Wrong Way Driver Charged with Reckless Endangerment
In March of this year, a 59-year-old woman was stopped by a police officer in Brentwood, Tennessee, after driving her vehicle in the wrong direction on Interstate 65. Now, nearly four months later, the woman is being charged with reckless endangerment.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the woman was headed southbound in the northbound lanes of traffic on I-65 on March 26, 2015, when other motorists noticed her vehicle. After police were contacted about the dangerous situation, an officer with the Brentwood Police Department stopped northbound traffic and waited for the woman’s vehicle to approach him.
As soon as her vehicle was within sight, the officer used his patrol car to strike the vehicle’s front left fender, causing it to come to a stop. Both the officer and the driver suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision.
The woman is now facing charges of reckless endangerment after driving her vehicle in the wrong direction on I-65 for an extended period of time, potentially putting multiple lives in danger. Her court appearance is scheduled for August.
The Brentwood car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law are glad that police officers were able to quickly respond to this dangerous situation and defuse it before anyone was seriously injured or killed.
How Can You Prevent a Wrong-Way Accident?
While wrong-way accidents seem rare, they’re becoming more and more common on roadways throughout Tennessee. To help reduce your risk of being involved in a wrong-way accident, there are a few guidelines you can follow every time you get behind the wheel of your vehicle:
Drinking and driving is one of the most common causes of wrong-way accidents. Drivers who are intoxicated suffer from impaired vision and judgment, and that can lead to serious errors like entering interstate exits going the wrong direction or driving the wrong way down one-way streets. If you leave your home and consume alcohol, either get a sober designated driver to drive you home or call a cab.
Falling asleep behind the wheel is another factor for wrong-way collisions. All it takes is a brief loss of attention for a driver to drift over several lanes and into oncoming traffic—especially on rural roads where lanes are separated by only a small painted line. If you feel yourself getting sleepy or drowsy while driving, pull your vehicle over to a safe place and try to get some sleep. Even a short period of rest can make a big difference in your ability to drive safely.
Entering a street, highway, or interstate while traveling in the wrong direction isn’t only something that people who are intoxicated do—it also happens to sober drivers who aren’t paying attention. Before you enter a highway or interstate or turn down an unfamiliar street—especially in an urban area—check to make sure that there aren’t any Do Not Enter or One-Way Street signs. Those signs can sometimes be difficult to see—especially at night or during periods of low visibility—so always take an extra moment to check before you turn or enter the lane.
Wrong-way accidents are among the most dangerous types of accidents that drivers and passengers can have the misfortune of being involved in on today’s roadways. Because they involve a vehicle headed in the wrong direction and towards the flow of traffic, they almost always result in a head-on collision, which is a type of accident that can cause significant injuries to all victims who are involved.
If you or someone you love was injured in a wrong-way accident, the Brentwood car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law may be able to help you get compensation for your accident-related expenses. Get in touch with our legal team today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing our free online consultation form. We’re here to fight for your rights and get you the money you deserve.
