Even if they are safe, cautious and following the rules of the road, drivers can still suffer due to the actions of other motorists. Distraction, speeding and inexperience are all reasons why drivers cause accidents that cause harm to others. In Texas, a concerning reason why a surprisingly high number of car accidents happen is driving in the incorrect direction. Wrong-way driving can lead to serious or even fatal head-on collisions.
What causes these accidents?
According to accident statistics, there have been 16 wrong-way crashes in just one Texas county so far this year. The state holds the unfortunate record of leading the way in these types of crashes, and it was been over two decades since the state has gone one day without a traffic fatality. Consider the following:
- In the first quarter of 2022, 1,000 of the almost 10,000 traffic fatalities nationwide happened in Texas.
- In 2021, over 600 people died in accidents involving a wrong-way driver.
- In the total number of wrong-way accidents, 24% of those involved a drunk driver.
Drivers are not expecting to see a vehicle coming toward them from the wrong direction, and they are often unable to react in enough time to prevent an accident.
Holding responsible parties accountable
Each driver is responsible for the choices that he or she makes while behind the wheel. A wrong-way driver that causes an accident is accountable for the harm he or she caused to others. Victims of these types of accidents may benefit from speaking with an attorney regarding their legal options in the civil justice system.
