Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on April 1, 2015
Brentwood Police Officer Crashes into Vehicle to Stop Wrong-Way Driver
A Brentwood police officer suffered injuries after deliberately crashing his police cruiser into a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Interstate 65 last Thursday.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred around 3:30 a.m. near the Moores Lane exit. The officer received a call about a driver going the wrong way in the southbound lanes of I-65. He then turned on his lights and stopped his car in the middle of the interstate to block traffic.
When the wrong-way driver approached, he struck her vehicle in its left fender to stop it in its tracks. Brentwood police say the driver was traveling at 25 to 30 miles per hour at the time of the accident.
The collision caused both the police officer and the wrong-way driver to suffer minor injuries. The officer has since been treated and released.
Brentwood police closed two lanes of I-65 North to investigate the accident but reopened them shortly after, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol is still conducting its investigation of the collision.
The Franklin car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law are glad the police officer was able to stop this women’s vehicle from potentially injuring innocent victims and hope both he and the other driver experience complete recoveries.
What to Do if You See a Wrong-Way Driver
Wrong-way accidents are extremely dangerous, as they often lead to head-on collisions at high speeds. The best way to respond to seeing a wrong-way driver includes:
Moving over to the right as far as you can is your best course of action if you see a wrong-way driver heading your way. Being on the right side of the freeway or road gives you a chance to move over even further if the vehicle begins approaching your lane. If necessary, you can even drive your vehicle off the road to avoid the other driver.
If you’re driving late at night without many other vehicles around, there’s a chance the other driver may not realize that he or she is going the wrong way. By flashsing your lights and honking your horn at a safe distance, the other driver may realize his or her mistake and have enough time to stop, turn around, and begin moving in the correct direction of the roadway.
If the driver is heavily intoxicated, it can be difficult or even impossible for to you get him or her to stop. That’s why it’s a good idea to call the police right away. As the story above indicates, police have ways of stopping these drivers before they get a chance to severely injure themselves or others.
Wrong way accidents are most common on interstates late at night and are often caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Most interstate exits have multiple wrong way signs to let drivers know that they aren’t on-ramps, but impaired vision and judgment can cause drivers to not see or disregard these signs completely.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by a wrong-way driver, you can file a claim for compensation to get money for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and more. Get in touch with the Franklin car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law today. We’ve helped many victims just like, and it’s our goal to help you move forward after your accident. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form today.
