Wrong way collisions are rare but they do happen and their one of the most deadly and frightening kinds of accidents to be in. According to statistics, there are approximately twenty-two wrong way accidents that occur in Arizona every year out of a total of 120,0000 collisions across the state. Of the total amount of auto accidents in Arizona, there are approximately 1,000 resulting deaths.
Whether from intoxication, distracted driving, or another reason, drivers sometimes cross medians and drive in the opposite direction or get on an off ramp on the highway and continue until there is a head on collision. 65% of wrong way accidents involve intoxication by the driver.
When a wrong way accident does occur in Arizona, authorities expect an average of eight of those accidents to include one or more fatalities. In 2016, there were 1,600 reports of a wrong-way driver, according to the Arizona Department of Pubic Safety’s information officer Raul Garcia. Of those 1,600 wrong way crashes, twenty-seven resulted in serious injury and death. Police arrested over 100 drivers for intoxication out of these 1,600 crashes. Garcia went on to say in his interview with KTAR News that “a very small percentage of that 1,600 has resulted in a crash, and in many instances, these people reorient themselves or get to where they are going and exit the highway.”
The reason many wrong way accidents are fatal lies in the extent of the victims’ injuries in the front seat or from ejection when not wearing a safety device, like a seatbelt. Some of the most common injuries sustained by those involved in a head-on car crash include:
Get Legal Help Today
At Hastings and Hastings, we are an experienced team of lawyers dedicated to helping victims of wrong way collisions and other negligent accidents. If you or a loved one have been involved in a wrong-way accident or any other negligent car accident, it is important to understand your rights. Further investigation could help an accident victim hold a negligent driver liable for injuries and other damages suffered by the victim of a wrong way crash in Arizona. We are here to help you get the just compensation you deserve whether you or someone you love was injured in a head on collision in Arizona. Call us today at 800-975-0080 to tell us your story. We will offer you a free, no-obligation consultation and answer all of your questions and concerns. Call today and let Hastings and Hastings be your fighting voice for justice.