Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury on November 16, 2016
Fatal Wrong-Way Accident Reported in Williamson County
Two vehicles collided head-on in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 Tuesday evening in Williamson County.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred at around 6 p.m. near the State Route 840 exit when one of the vehicles entered the roadway traveling in the wrong direction.
An investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol revealed that a 42-year-old woman from Murfreesboro was driving her Pontiac G6 sedan south in the northbound lanes of the interstate when she collided head-on with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The woman suffered fatal injuries because of the accident.
A 13-year-old girl was also riding in the woman’s vehicle at the time of the crash and suffered injuries, but her current condition or the extent of her injuries is unknown.
The driver of the Jeep—a 22-year-old man—also suffered injuries because of the accident and was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment. His current condition is also unknown.
Law enforcement officers and emergency responders closed the roadway until just before midnight as they worked to treat the victims, investigate the crash, and clear the scene.
What Are Common Causes of Wrong-Way Accidents?
Wrong-way accidents have the potential to cause debilitating, disabling, and even fatal injuries for victims. In many cases, wrong-way accidents result in head-on collisions—especially when they happen at night and victims have minimal visibility and can’t see other vehicles headed in their direction until it’s too late.
Knowing some of the common causes of wrong-way accidents can help you do your part to avoid them and make Tennessee roadways safer:
Many wrong-way accidents occur because drivers are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain prescription medications. When drivers are impaired or intoxicated, they often suffer from poor judgment and blurred vision, which can cause them to enter roadways traveling in the wrong direction. The deadliest types of wrong-way accidents occur when drivers enter highways or interstates traveling the wrong way—especially at night.
Some wrong-way accidents happen even when drivers are sober but neglect to look for or pay attention to “One-Way,” “Wrong Way,” and “Do Not Enter” signs. When drivers don’t pay attention to road signs, they may enter roadways headed in the wrong direction.
Whether a driver is traveling on a multi-lane highway or a narrow rural road, distractions can often prove to be deadly. All it takes is a moment of distraction and loss of concentration for a vehicle to drift into the path of oncoming traffic on a two-lane road and even cross an interstate or highway median.
Drivers who are from another city, state, or even country may be more likely to be involved in wrong-way accidents, especially at split intersections, roundabouts, or while traveling on unusual roadways that they aren’t familiar with. It’s important for drivers to slow down and proceed with caution when driving through new areas and especially when driving in unfamiliar countries.
Because they often result in head-on collisions, it’s vital for drivers to do everything they can to avoid wrong-way accidents. The Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration place signs to keep drivers from entering roadways headed in the wrong direction, but it’s ultimately each driver’s responsibility to never drive while intoxicated or impaired, always look out for road signage, and avoid distractions.
If you or someone you know was injured in a wrong-way accident or head-on collision that you believe was caused by a negligent driver, our legal team may be able to assist you. We know that these types of accidents can leave you facing expensive medical bills that you may not be able to afford, and we’ll put our experience to work by fighting for your rights to compensation.
Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form to speak with the Franklin auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law today.
