Why Do Wrong-Way Accidents Occur?

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

Unfortunately, two people were killed in a wrong-way accident on April 10 on I-395 in Alexandria, Virginia. blue car dented in by accident

NBC Washington reported that the crash occurred in the HOV lanes of the interstate, killing the drivers of the two vehicles involved, a 75-year-old man and a 55-year-old man. Virginia State Police told the news outlet that the younger man was traveling the wrong way down the interstate, in a northbound lane that was scheduled to go southbound, striking the older man’s vehicle head-on.

A third vehicle was also involved in the accident, as the driver was unable to avoid wreckage in the roadway, sustaining minor injuries. The accident occurred around 10 p.m. The accident remains under investigation, and authorities are trying to determine how the man got on the wrong HOV lane since gates were blocking it.

Wrong-Way Accidents are Often Deadly

Although they are rare, as the story above shows, wrong-way accidents often result in fatal, violent collisions. In many cases, these collisions are direct—it is estimated that about 80 percent of wrong-way accidents result in head-on collisions, which have a high fatality rate. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimated that about 22 percent of wrong-way accidents result in fatalities.

As for cause, it is estimated that 60 percent of wrong-way accidents are due to alcohol. Additional reasons for these accidents include distracted driving and medical emergencies.

Attorneys for Wrong-Way Accident Victims

If a reckless driver has injured you in wrong-way accident or killed your loved one, an attorney can investigate your claim and determine its validity. While the time following an accident can be extremely stressful, this is often the best period to speak to a lawyer, as he or she can look into preserving evidence to help you in court.

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Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Virginia Injury Attorneys

Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Driver-Killed-in-I-395-Crash-Was-Driving-the-Wrong-Way-PD-299351291.html

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.