Wrong-Way Crashes on Freeways Must be Stopped, Says Attorney Jason Waechter
Southfield, MI (PRWEB) February 10, 2014 -- Attorney Jason Waechter wishes to express his condolences to the families and friends of 11 people who were killed in two horrific wrong-way driving collisions over the weekend. Waechter has worked to help victims injured in car crashes as well as the families of those killed in crashes for over 20 years. "My heart goes out to the families grieving for these eleven crash victims," he says.
The two incidents, one in California and one in Florida, occurred on Sunday, February 9, according to a report by Reuters. Six people were killed when a 21-year-old woman driving the wrong way on a freeway in California crashed into an SUV, which was then hit by another vehicle. According to the Reuters article, alcohol is suspected to have played a role in this collision. Highway patrol logged a vehicle driving 100 mph in the wrong direction on the highway shortly before the crash occurred, which is likely the same vehicle involved in the crash though this has not yet been proven. Five people were also killed in Florida, when an SUV travelling in the wrong direction struck a smaller car. The driver of the SUV and all four occupants of the car were killed. As a result of the crash, the SUV burst into flames, which also damaged the other vehicle. The driver of the SUV has not yet been identified, and investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash. The four young men in the other car were members of a Tampa fraternity.
"It's just senseless," says Waechter. "You could be doing everything right, driving carefully, being diligent, and in a split second your whole life could be changed or ended by a negligent driver. Someone who is distracted, or maybe impaired; it's not fair - and it's not 'just an accident.'"
Alcohol impairment is the leading cause of wrong-way driving crashes, according to a 2012 report by the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB). The report found that alcohol impairment is a factor in 60% of all wrong-way crashes, and about one-third of all fatal crashes on U.S. highways, resulting in over 10,000 deaths each year. NTSB is calling for renewed focus on eliminating drunk driving on the local, state, and local levels to improve driver safety. The number of wrong-way crashes per year has remained steady in recent years, accounting for an average of about 300 deaths per year, according to NTSB.
"Something has got to change," says Waechter. "We need to find a way to stop these wrong-way collisions from happening. And, we have to start holding negligent drivers accountable. Whether they are impaired by alcohol or distracted by their phone, whether they are rushing to pass other drivers or decide not to wait at a stop sign, these drivers are making a decision that puts the lives of others at risk." Waechter remains committed to helping crash victims and the families of those killed by negligent drivers. "I do what I can to raise awareness and prevent crashes, but I'm always here to help the people whose lives are turned upside down by negligent drivers on our roads." You can learn more about Waechter's commitment to preventing crashes and helping the community on his website.
Jason Waechter has spent two decades cementing his reputation for results. Over the years, he has specialized his practice to motorcycle accidents, and is known as The Motorcycle Lawyer by fellow bikers. Jason has fought tirelessly for auto accident victims and contributed significantly to safety education and accident prevention. He has entrenched himself as one of the nation's premier lawyers, recently being named to the Michigan Super Lawyers and Michigan's Best Lawyers. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call 1-800-708-5433 to speak with a lawyer who can help.
Kelly Weaver, Law Offices of Jason Waechter, http://www.michigan-no-fault-auto-accident.com, 248-355-4701, [email protected]
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