What could be more terrifying? You are driving along on a typical day, when suddenly out of nowhere you see another vehicle barreling toward you in your lane. What would you do in the few seconds you have to react? Sadly, more than a few drivers on South Carolina roadways have experienced this exact thing, many with tragic results. If you or a loved one have been impacted by a wrong-way driver, a local personal injury attorney can help.
Wrong Way Driving Facts
Although wrong way driving (WWD) collisions account for only about three percent of crashes, those incidents frequently result in serious injuries or fatalities. Why do these accidents occur, and who is most often involved? Research reveals the answers:
- The majority of incidents involve inexperienced drivers or elderly drivers who become disoriented;
- Over half of WWD incident reports cite drug or alcohol as a contributing factor;
- Alcohol and drug impairment is associated with younger drivers;
- Processing disorders are associated with older drivers;
- WWD collisions are more likely to result in fatalities than other types of accidents because they are often head-on collisions;
- Criminal status is correlated with WWD;
- Males are more likely than their female counterparts to be involved in WWD incidents at a rate of 3:1;
- One-way roadways such as freeway ramps are the most frequent location of WWD.
South Carolina Wrong Way Driving Incidents
South Carolina is no stranger to wrong-way driving. Just a handful of recent accidents with tragic results include the following:
- Four individuals, including one deputy, were hospitalized after a WWD incident on Interstate 95 in Florence County. The wrong-way driver had hijacked a vehicle and was driving erratically in an attempt to escape law enforcement officers;
- A wrong-way driver was killed, and another driver hospitalized following a collision on Interstate 95 in Clarendon County;
- A vehicle crossed the centerline on Augusta Road in Greenville, killing the driver and injuring the driver of the other vehicle involved in the head-on crash;
- A woman was killed when an alcohol-impaired teen crashed into her while traveling the wrong way on Interstate 385 in Fountain Inn.
Justice Following Tragedy
These types of incidents leave indescribable devastation in their wake. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a wrong-way driving accident, you are likely facing a mountain of medical bills and significant changes to your lifestyle. In the worst-case scenario, you are looking at funeral costs and a life forever altered.
At Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm, we understand what you are going through, and will fight aggressively for justice on your behalf. You focus on the physical and emotional recovery; let us take on the reckless or negligent driver who put you in this situation. We will fight for damages to cover costs related to medical expenses, lost current and future wages, legal fees, loss of companionship, loss of service, funeral costs, and other expenses. Contact us in Greenville today for a no-cost, confidential consultation today.