A topic that does not receive enough attention is 'wrong way accidents'. These collisions occur more often on interstate highways - but can also happen on city and rural roads as well. Wrong way accidents occur when driver enter onto a thoroughfare motoring in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic.
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) an average of 350 fatalities can be attributed to wrong way accidents each year. It is not uncommon to find that alcohol may have played a role in the accident - however, that is certainly not always the case. Sometimes it is simply a matter of driver confusion.
Consider the following incidents that have been reported on Houston roadways over the past few months.
In late July a female driver and her companion were reported traveling the wrong way in a Jeep on Highway 59 outside of Houston. Although the State Highway Patrol were notified they were unable to intervene in time to prevent a head on collision that killed both the occupants of the wrong-way car as well as the driver of the vehicle with which they collided. An empty container of alcohol was found in the Jeep.
In early March a mother and her four children were returning home from an all night church event when a man in a pick-up truck was seen to be headed straight for them at a high rate of speed. Although the mother swerved the truck struck the back of the vehicle and one child died as a result. It was later determined the driver was intoxicated.
Even though the Texas Department of Transportation continues to make improvements meant to prevent wrong way accidents - there is no substitute for vigilant driving.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston personal injury attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Houston auto accident lawyer call the Baumgartner firm.
