Posted in Car Accident,Drunk Driving,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on September 17, 2015
Woman Charged with DUI after Causing Wrong-Way Head-On Accident
A 45-year-old Nashville woman is facing charges for driving under the influence after causing a head-on collision in Franklin, Tennessee.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday night when the woman struck another vehicle head-on on Mack Hatcher Parkway in Williamson County. Franklin police say that the woman’s vehicle was traveling on the wrong side of the highway when it collided head-on with another car.
Officers who arrived at the scene determined that the woman was driving while under the influence of alcohol and charged her with DUI. The impact of the collision caused damage to both vehicles, but both the wrong-way driver and the driver of the vehicle she struck avoided suffering serious injuries.
The woman who caused the accident was booked and released on $2,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 1.
Why Is Driving while Impaired Linked to Wrong-Way Accidents?
A report by the National Transportation Safety Board found that of 1,566 wrong-way drivers from 2004 to 2009, 936 were intoxicated at the time of the accidents. At Matt Hardin Law, our Franklin car accident attorneys have handled many injury claims after wrong-way accidents, and we know that a large number of them are caused by drivers who are intoxicated or impaired.
Although wrong-way accidents can occur at any time and under any circumstances, alcohol plays a major role in these collisions due to factors like:
Drivers who are intoxicated are more likely to make bad decisions—including driving down a one-way street in the wrong direction or entering an interstate or highway using an exit ramp. The more intoxicated a driver is, the more likely he or she will make a poor judgment call while behind the wheel. Those bad decisions can lead to a wide variety of accidents, including head-on collisions.
In addition to making poor decisions, intoxicated drivers are also more likely to simply be unable to see clearly while behind the wheel. That means they can miss important signs that show streets are for one-way traffic or Do Not Enter signs on interstate and highway exit ramps. Because alcohol causes blurry vision and watery, bloodshot eyes, impaired drivers may inadvertently drive in the wrong direction, putting themselves and other drivers at high risk of serious accidents.
Not all wrong-way accidents are caused by intoxicated drivers who either don’t see signs or don’t realize the consequences of entering a one-way street in the wrong direction. Alcohol intoxication can cause drivers to seek out and engage in risk-taking behaviors. Whether they’re trying to take a shortcut or just driving aggressively and recklessly, intoxicated drivers may intentionally drive the wrong-way and end up causing serious accidents.
The Franklin auto accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law know that alcohol consumption is a major factor in far too many car accident cases throughout Middle Tennessee. That’s why we strongly discourage driving after consuming any amount of alcohol and recommend that drivers always call a cab, use a ride-sharing service, or use a designated driver to get home safely.
If you or a loved one was injured in a wrong-way accident or any type of car accident caused by an intoxicated, reckless, or negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs. Get in touch with us today to find out how our legal team can go to work for you and your family. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete our free online consultation form. We’re here to fight for your rights.
