Wrong-way car, truck, motorcycle and motor vehicle collisions are a very serious problem in Rhode Island and across the United States. These motor head-on vehicle wrecks are relatively infrequent but are a very serious social issue considering that such a high percentage are fatal or lead to catastrophic injuries.

Wrong-way driving often drunk driving related

Sadly, recent measures taken by the State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation were not enough to prevent another wrong-way vehicular accident on Interstate 95 in Providence on August 22nd, 2105. It is nearly impossible to separate the issues of wrong-way driving from drunk driving because such a high percentage of wrong-way collisions are caused by intoxicated or drugged drivers.

More still needs to be done by Federal and State authorities to protect motorists, pedestrians, bus passengers, motorcyclists and van drivers from wrong-way drunk drivers who cause serious deadly head on collisions. Many wrong-way collisions are also multi-vehicle accidents and some cause multiple fatalities/ deaths.

60 percent of  deadly wrong-way collisions drinking related

The National Transportation Safety Board in its special investigative report on wrong-way driving accidents stated “Investigators identified driver impairment by alcohol as a leading factor in wrong-way driving collisions. Seven of the nine wrong-way drivers in the NTSB investigations covered in this report had BACs of 0.15 or higher. NTSB analysis of FARS data for 2004–2009 found that of the 1,566 wrong-way drivers in fatal crashes, 60 percent (936 drivers) were classified as drinking.55 Of the 1,150 wrong-way drivers involved in fatal collisions with known BAC results,56 about 59 percent (684 drivers) had high BAC levels—at or above 0.15. By contrast, of all drivers involved in fatal crashes on US public roads during the same time period, about 22 percent had BACs reported at or above 0.15.”

Numerous wrong-way head-on car accidents are also caused by elderly drivers.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) reported, “Nationally, about 360 people die each year in one of these crashes. Here in Rhode Island, we have witnessed 10 fatal crashes, resulting 13 deaths since 2008. Alcohol impairment is a leading factor for wrong-way crashes, and most happen on weekends and during evening and overnight hours.”  DOT   The RI DOT also stated, “In 2015 we completed a $2 million project to upgrade the signing and striping at 145 locations (more than 200 actual ramps) and install detection systems at 24 high-risk areas. These systems not only alert a driver who traveling in the wrong direction, they notify police and other motorists of a potential wrong-way driver.” RI DOT  

August 22nd, 2015 Providence crash

Sadly the measures instituted by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations were not enough to prevent another tragic wrong-way accident on Route 95 in Providence on August 22nd , 2015. Apparently, at the time of the Providence motor vehicle crash, the wrong-way system had not been implemented on the ramp where the motorist entered on the highway off ramp.“Wrong-way driver, 26, dies in early-morning crash on Route 95, injuring 1 person who was hit head-on”This wrong-way motor vehicle crash was near the Providence Place mall in Providence RI. This automobile collision occurred at around 4:30 am when a motorist entered an off ramp and went in a Southward direction in the North bound lane. The offending motorist crashed into another motor vehicle, minivan, in the high speed lane on the highway.

dead at the scene of the wreck

The Providence Journal reported “as the wrong-way driver, suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.” The minivan driver’s injuries were serious but not life threatening. The minivan driver was transported to Rhode Island Hospital after being extricated by Providence emergency personnel. Channel 10 News reported, “RIDOT closed the left hand lane of the highway, while state police and accident reconstruction teams worked at the scene.”  Turn to 10 

“Wrong-way collisions occur relatively infrequently, accounting for only about 3 percent of accidents on high-speed divided highways, but they are much more likely to result in fatal and serious injuries than are other types of highway accidents.” NTSB 

Rhode Island personal injury lawyer can help

If you are a victim of a wrong-way collision or your spouse, family member or loved one was killed in a fatal wrong-way accident then contact a RI personal injury lawyer or a Providence wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Only an experienced Rhode Island personal injury attorney or RI car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation that you deserve. A RI bankruptcy lawyer or a speeding ticket lawyer with no experience in fatal / deadly car accidents in RI will try to settle the matter quickly and in the end get you pennies on the dollar. In the event of a fatal car accident death in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, family members are not able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking damages as a result of the deadly wreck. Only the executor or the administrator of the estate of the deceased can retain a Rhode Island wrongful death lawyer to seek compensation for the estate of the person who was killed in the crash. Any settlement or judgment proceeds received by the executor are not assets of the deceased probate estate but are paid to the statutory beneficiaries per the terms of the RI wrongful death statute.

Who is entitled to receive compensation in the event of a wrongful death in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island General law 10-7-2 in the RI wrongful death statute states “”§ 10-7-2 Persons who may bring actions – Limitation of actions – Minimum recovery period. – Every action under this chapter, other than one brought under § 10-7-1.2, shall be brought by and in the name of the executor or administrator of the deceased person, whether appointed or qualified within or without the state, and of the amount recovered in every action under this chapter one-half (1/2) shall go to the husband or widow, and one-half (1/2) shall go to the children of the deceased, and if there are no children, the whole shall go to the husband or widow, and, if there is no husband or widow, to the next of kin, in the proportion provided by law in relation to the distribution of personal property left by persons dying intestate;..”

Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.