What causes wrong way car accidents?
A Florida man was recently killed while driving the wrong way on the New Jersey Turnpike. Police report that the accident happened around 11:30 pm on a Saturday. The 21-year-old driver was driving southbound in the northbound lanes when his vehicle crashed head on into another vehicle. It is unclear what caused the driver to travel in the wrong direction. In light of this tragic accident, our New Jersey personal injury lawyers at The Cassidy Law Firm discuss some of the causes of wrong way accidents below.
Causes of Wrong Way Car Accidents
Wrong way accidents are relatively rare, but when they do occur, the results are often catastrophic. Wrong way accidents happen when a driver operates his or her vehicle against the direction of traffic. According to the United States Department of Transportation, approximately 265 people are killed in wrong way accidents annually. Wrong way crashes have high rates of mortality and are widely considered to be the deadliest type of car accident.
Potential causes of wrong way accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are busy looking down at their phones or are otherwise not paying attention to the road ahead could accidently cross over the center line and enter the road traveling in the wrong direction. Distracted drivers could also enter off ramps by mistake.
- Drunk driving: Drunk driving is believed to cause over half of all wrong way accidents across the nation. Intoxicated drivers are likely to become disorientated and may enter roads or highway ramps going in the wrong direction. Wrong way drunk driving accidents may involve high rates of speed, leading to more serious injuries.
- Inadequate signage: A lack of sufficient signs or markings could lead drivers to enter the highway or roadway going the wrong way. Drivers who are not familiar with the area are especially at risk of wrong way accidents caused by insufficient signage.
If you or a loved one is injured or killed by a wrong way driver, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Wrong way accidents will often result in serious injuries accompanied by massive medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is important that you act swiftly to protect your legal rights following a wrong way crash.