Suing for Wrong-Way Crashes in South Carolina

If you have been injured by a wrong-way driver in South Carolina, you may be considering legal action. These kinds of accidents can occur in many ways, but they are almost always the result of reckless negligence. One of the most basic tasks for any driver is to stay on the right side of the road. Failure to do this represents a serious breach of duty, and it can cause catastrophic injuries. If you were injured in a wrong-way crash in South Carolina, a personal injury lawyer may be able to assist you.

Drunk Driver Gets on the Interstate the Wrong Way 

In August of 2024, it was reported that a drunk driver had entered Interstate 20 the wrong way. After driving down the wrong side of the highway for a considerable distance, deputies from Richland and Lexington Counties attempted to intervene. One of these deputies made a U-turn and followed the drunk driver, while a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper drove toward her (going the right way down the road).

The drunk driver then struck the trooper’s vehicle head-on. The trooper’s vehicle then careened into the deputy’s vehicle, causing minor injuries for both law enforcement officers. Both of these individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, leaving the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department to deal with the situation.

A deputy then arrived at the scene and confirmed that the driver was in fact intoxicated. The deputy proceeded to arrest her, at which point she registered a .11% BAC level. When asked why she didn’t simply perform a U-turn, the driver stated (somewhat ironically) that she didn’t want to cause a crash.

Why Do Drivers Cause Wrong-Way Crashes? 

Wrong-way crashes may occur under various circumstances. Perhaps the most common situation is one where a driver veers over the center divider and impacts oncoming traffic. All it takes is a brief lapse in concentration to cause this type of accident – and this mistake is often associated with intoxication or distraction.

In other situations, drunk drivers enter highways the wrong way and proceed to travel into oncoming traffic. Such mistakes are associated with serious intoxication. Finally, drivers may mistakenly enter highways the wrong way due to confusing signage or problematic construction zones.

Whatever the case may be, it is often easy to prove negligence in these situations. Someone who drives into oncoming traffic is obviously breaching their duty of care to other drivers.

Find an Experienced South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced Charleston car accident lawyer, look no further than Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC. With our assistance, you can hold negligence drivers accountable for wrong-way crashes. Whether you have suffered a minor case of whiplash or a permanent disability, you are justified in pursuing compensation. There is no reason to pay medical costs or incur lost wages because of someone else’s negligence. Reach out today to get started with an action plan.

Sources: 

wistv.com/2024/08/13/1-trooper-1-deputy-injured-trying-stop-wrong-way-driver-charged-with-dui/

live5news.com/2024/08/10/coroner-ids-teen-victims-three-vehicle-crash/