Posted in Negligence,Tennessee Accident Law on December 5, 2016
Fatal Wrong-Way Accident Reported in Robertson County
A 37-year-old woman from Oak Grove, Kentucky, died when she was involved in a wrong-way car accident on Interstate 24 in Robertson County Saturday night.
Per a report by Smokey Barn News, the crash occurred when her 2013 Chevrolet Sonic entered the eastbound lanes of I-24 in Pleasant View, Tennessee, heading westbound. Her vehicle then collided head-on with a semi-truck at mile marker 22. Her vehicle was found 150 feet away from the crash scene, as the impact of the collision caused it to roll about 100 yards to the center median of the interstate.
Emergency responders pronounced the woman dead at the scene of the crash. A report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol says that she tested positive for alcohol and drugs after the crash.
Her passenger—a 43-year-old woman—was also seriously injured in the accident. Her condition is unknown.
The semi-truck was hauling empty milk crates at the time of the crash. The truck driver wasn’t injured in the accident.
In addition to the initial accident, reporters say that a Montgomery County ambulance that was transporting a child from Clarksville to Vanderbilt University Medical Center struck debris from the crash and was disabled, forcing emergency responders to use another ambulance to get the child to the hospital.
What Steps Can Be Taken to Prevent Wrong-Way Accidents?
In 2012, the National Transportation Safety Board published its special investigation on wrong-way accidents in the United States. In addition to revealing the severity and common causes of wrong-way collisions, the report also found several ways that both drivers and government agencies can help reduce the risks of these types of accidents.
Some of the steps that drivers can take to reduce their chances of being involved in wrong-way crashes include:
The NTSB found that around 60 percent of drivers involved in wrong-way collisions had BACs of around 0.15—or twice the legal imit. In comparison, only 22 percent of drivers in all other types of fatal crashes had BACs at or above that level. The NTSB’s report found that enhanced enforcement strategies can help reduce the number of these types of crashes on roadways throughout the U.S.
Another major risk factor for wrong-way accidents is age. Drivers who are over the age of 70 are more likely to be involved in wrong-way collisions than drivers in any other age group. Drivers in this age group represent only three percent of drivers in all types of car accidents, but they represent 15 percent of drivers involved in wrong-way collisions. The NTSB recommends that states address this issue by enforcing more frequent testing and medical reviews for older drivers and educating law enforcement on these risks.
Many wrong-way crashes occur when drivers enter interstates and highways heading in the wrong direction. Drivers are more likely to enter roadways headed in the wrong direction when the roadway design is confusing or problematic, has improper or poorly visible signage, and is unlit. To address these issues, the NTSB recommends that all roadways be clearly marked, all signs be large and clearly visible, and roadways be designed to make highway and interstate exits obvious to drivers.
Because wrong-way accidents are often head-on collisions, victims frequently suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries. Many of these accidents occur late at night and when both vehicles are traveling at high speed, which further increases the risk of fatalities. Survivors of these accidents often suffer debilitating injuries that can make it difficult or even impossible for them to work.
If you or someone you know was injured in a wrong-way collision, get in touch with the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law today. We know how investigate these types of crashes to determine if the other driver’s negligence caused the crash, and we can build a strong claim that maximizes your chances of getting full compensation for your accident-related expenses.
Get in touch with our legal team today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or filling out a free online consultation form.
