Tragic Multi-Victim Accident Caused by Wrong Way Driver
Over the past few years, the number of wrong way accidents in Florida has increased. In general, car accidents cause thousands deaths and injuries each year. Wrong-way accidents often cause death because of the high speeds and head on collisions typical of a wrong way collision. Recently, a 23-year-old California woman drove a pickup truck the wrong way in the northbound express lanes on Interstate 95 near Miami Gardens Drive. According to news reports, she sideswiped one car and struck several others. In total, the crash involved five cars. The driver died and four victims died, while two other victims were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) wrong-way collisions occur when a car is driving on divided highways or access ramps in the opposite direction of traffic flow. In Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation reports that 280 wrong way crashes killed 75 victims in Florida highways between 2009 and 2013.
Why do Wrong Way Accidents Happen?
The investigation into the wrong way accident is still ongoing and it may be awhile before investigators know what caused this particular accident. However, the NTSB conducted an investigation into wrong way accidents and found that causes of wrong-way accidents include:
- Drunk Driving: driving while intoxicated impairs a driver’s judgment and vision. This means that intoxicated drivers are less likely to see and follow road signs.
- Confusing Road Signs: many wrong way accidents occur when a car enters an exit ramp. This may in part be due to bad signage and a driver’s unfamiliarity with a city. Oftentimes poorly lit signs fail to give unfamiliar drivers enough information about access ramps.
- Senior Drivers: the NTSB reports that drivers over 70 are often represented as at fault drivers in wrong way accidents.
- Time of Day: the NTSB found that 78 percent of wrong way accidents occur between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. The mix of drowsy and/or drunk drivers, and the lack of light make it more likely for wrong way accidents to occur during these hours.
- Day of the Week: most wrong way accidents crashes happen on the weekend. This is partially due to the fact that more people go out and drink on weekends.
- Road Position: many wrong way collisions occur in the driving lanes closest to the median. The NTSB study found that seven out of nine wrong way accidents occur in this lane.
Let us Help you Recover from a Wrong Way Accident
Regardless of the cause of a wrong way accident, victims deserve compensation. Contact the Miami car accident attorneys at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. if you have sustained injuries in an accident in Florida. We can help you seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages and emotional distress after a wrong-way accident. Let us provide you with the legal guidance you need to make a good decision for your family. Contact us today at 305-371-3111 to schedule an appointment.
