Texas Leads the Nation in Fatal Wrong-Way Crashes

A one way street sign


The AAA Foundation reported this year that Texas – out of all the states – leads the country in fatal wrong-way crashes. Wrong-way accidents are nearly 100 percent preventable and are typically caused by serious negligence on the part of the driver who was traveling in the wrong direction. If you or someone you care about has been injured – or worse – by a wrong-way driver, don’t wait to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney serving Texas and New Mexico today. 

Wrong-Way Crashes

When a motorist directs his or her vehicle into oncoming traffic – driving against its flow – it is wrong-way driving, and it puts everyone on the road at exceptional risk. Because wrong-way driving is closely associated with head-on accidents, it is exceptionally dangerous (and is often deadly). In addition to the immense physical danger involved, there is the abject terror of being hit by another vehicle head-on to consider. This can contribute significantly to the category of losses (or damages) that are classified as pain and suffering.  

Alcohol Impairment

The primary factor in deadly wrong-way accidents is alcohol impairment. The National Safety Council shares the following dire statistics related to driving while under the influence of alcohol:


  • Alcohol-impaired motorists are one of the top dangers on our roads. 
  • More than 10,000 people lost their lives in accidents caused by impaired drivers in 2019 alone. 
  • 28 percent of all traffic deaths in 2019 were caused by impaired drivers. 


The percentage of fatal accidents involving alcohol impairment drops considerably as drivers’ ages rise, but the AAA report found that older drivers are more likely to cause fatal wrong-way accidents. 

Distraction

Another contributing factor when it comes to wrong-way accidents is driver distraction. When a motorist is engaged in anything other than navigating his or her vehicle safely over the road and through traffic, it leaves him or her more vulnerable to taking a wrong turn or exit and traveling in the wrong direction. The deadliest distraction out there is texting – and other smartphone activities, including video chat. When a driver is engaged with his or her phone for the average of 5 seconds that it takes to compose or read a text, he or she travels about the length of a football field (when driving at highway speeds), and that five seconds of driving blind can contribute to deadly driving accidents, including head-on accidents caused by wrong-way driving. 

Contact Salam & Associates for a Free Consultation Today

Wrong-way accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents on our roadways, and they are often the result of serious driver negligence. If another driver leaves you injured in a wrong-way accident, the seasoned car accident attorneys at Salam & Associates – proudly serving both Richardson, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico – recognize the gravity of your situation and have the impressive experience and keen legal insight to help. Our dedicated legal team is on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 866-640-8998 to schedule your free consultation today.


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