Fatal Wrong-Way Accidents are Common in Georgia
Wrong-way crashes occur a lot more than most people realize. For instance, one study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that there are more than 500 fatal wrong-way crashes on U.S. roads every year. Of the states with the highest rate of these kinds of crashes, Georgia ranked fifth.
Factors Related to Wrong-Way Crashes
In its study, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that there are three major factors that contribute to wrong-way crashes, including:
- Alcohol impairment, with as many as six out of every ten wrong-way crashes involving a driver who was impaired by alcohol;
- Older age, with drivers who are over the age of 70 years old more at risk of being involved in a wrong-way crash; and
- Driving alone, with nearly 87 percent of wrong-way drivers driving without a passenger in the car.
By avoiding driving while impaired, refraining from driving when suffering from a medical or cognitive issue, and traveling with a passenger, drivers can help avoid being the cause of a wrong-way accident.
Avoiding a Wrong-Way Accident
While it’s not possible to control how other people drive, there are steps that we can take to help avoid being the cause of a wrong-way accident, including:
- Avoiding speeding;
- Keeping an eye out for reckless drivers who may be speeding, tailgating, or swerving in and out of traffic;
- Avoiding distractions, like cell phones;
- Paying attention to traffic signs and signals;
- Driving with a passenger;
- Avoiding driving at night in unfamiliar places or with poor eyesight; and
- Refraining from drinking and driving.
Unfortunately, even the most conscientious of drivers could end up involved in a wrong-way crash. In these cases, victims can and should seek compensation directly from the at-fault party.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
Wrong-way crashes have one of the highest fatality rates of any type of car accident. Families who find themselves grieving the loss of a loved one who was the victim of such a crash often have the option of filing a wrongful death claim. These kinds of lawsuits allow the surviving relatives of an accident victim to pursue damages from the negligent or reckless driver who caused the crash. Successful claimants could recover reimbursement for their loved one’s medical bills, as well as compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship. Pursuing a wrongful death claim, however, can be emotionally draining, as well as legally complex, which is why it’s so important for wronged families to seek the aid of an attorney who can help them navigate the process.
Speak with an Experienced and Compassionate Atlanta Wrongful Death Lawyer
While nothing can compensate a family for the untimely loss of a loved one, recovering damages by filing a wrongful death claim can help ensure that victims are able to pay off mounting medical debt and hold at-fault parties accountable for their actions while they grieve. To learn more about filing this type of claim, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the dedicated and skilled Atlanta wrongful death lawyers at Shiver Hamilton Campbell today.
Sources:
newsroom.aaa.com/2021/03/heading-the-wrong-way-with-wrong-way-driving/
law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-51/chapter-4/51-4-2
