Posted in Aggressive Driving,Car Accident,Drunk Driving,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on May 20, 2015
Nashville Man Injured after Being Struck by Wrong-Way Driver
Another wrong-way driving accident occurred in Middle Tennessee early this morning—this time near the downtown Woodland Street Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred around 2 a.m. when the driver of a sedan drove the wrong way on the Woodland Street Bridge and collided head-on with a Jeep.
The impact of the collision caused the driver of the Jeep to suffer injuries, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Nashville Metro Police took the driver of the sedan and his passenger into custody. The driver faces charges of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana, while the passenger also faces driving under the influence charges due to being the owner of the sedan that was involved in the accident.
The Nashville personal injury lawyers at Matt Hardin Law hope the driver of the Jeep who was injured in this accident recovers from his injuries and that Metro Police continue apprehending intoxicated and negligent drivers who put others in danger throughout the Middle Tennessee area.
How Does Alcohol Contribute to Wrong-Way Collisions?
Wrong-way driving accidents seem to be happening more and more often lately throughout all of Middle Tennessee—including on the major streets and interstates around Nashville. One common factor that many of these accidents have in common is that the drivers who cause the accidents are often intoxicated.
Alcohol intoxication can contribute to wrong-way accidents for several reasons, such as:
Alcohol makes eyes watery, blurs vision, and makes it harder to focus on objects. When combined, those symptoms can significantly impair vision—especially at night, making it difficult for drivers to see road signs. That means they may accidentally drive the wrong way down a one-way street or enter an interstate using an exit ramp.
Safe driving requires good decision making abilities and a clear head. But alcohol intoxication can cause drivers to make poor and often dangerous decisions—a risk factor that only increases as intoxication levels go up. Impaired judgment can lead to wrong-way accidents when drivers attempt to pass where prohibited or drive short distances down one-way streets in order to bypass traffic or shorten their routes.
In addition to good vision and good judgment, driving safely also requires the ability to stay calm and drive defensively at all times. Alcohol can make drivers more aggressive behind the wheel and more likely to engage in behavior that puts them, their passengers, and other drivers at risk of serious injuries. Examples include speeding, following too closely, running red lights and stop signs, and switching lanes erratically.
Sometimes wrong way accidents aren’t caused by intoxicated drivers—but their inebriation can make them more likely to be a victim of other wrong-way drivers. Avoiding collisions and driving defensively requires quick reaction times and sharp reflexes. Drinking alcohol can dull those responses and make drivers much slower to respond to stimuli—including the possibility of a collision, even when it’s another vehicle heading straight toward them.
Wrong-way accidents are showing up in the news nearly every week in Nashville and throughout the Middle Tennessee area, and they almost always involve a serious injury. That’s why the Nashville personal injury lawyers at Matt Hardin Law urge all drivers to avoid getting behind the wheel after drinking and to always use a designated driver or call a cab service to get home safely.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by a drunk and negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your accident-related expenses. Get in touch with our legal team today and find out how we can help you recover the money you deserve. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form.
