There are many risks that people face when they drive on California roadways. While drivers may expect that poor weather or road conditions could cause car accidents, it is likely always a shock to see a driver headed the wrong way on the highway. Unfortunately, police believe that wrong-way drivers caused two separate car accidents recently.
One of the accidents happened at approximately 8:30 p.m. one evening in early December. The California Highway Patrol reports that it received reports about a car in the northbound lanes headed south. Before officers were able to stop the vehicle, they say a head-on collision occurred. One driver died at the scene while the second was transported to the hospital while unconscious. Police are still working to determine which person was driving the southbound vehicle.
The second wrong-way incident happened hours early. That incident involved a collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle on a ramp connecting a California interstate and highway. While many of the details of that accident are unclear, it did result in a fatality.
Most people in California are unprepared for the financial ramifications of car accidents. Many are left suffering physically, emotionally and financially as a result of another’s negligence. However, those who were injured or lost a loved one in such a manner do have legal recourse. If it can be proved that an accident was caused by a negligent driver, a civil court could award the victims of the accident with damages to cover the financial losses stemming from the crash, including medical bills, lost wages and funeral expenses, among others.
Source: abc7news.com, “Wrong-way driver causes fatal crash on northbound Hwy 101 in San Jose“, Dec. 5, 2015