Cole M. Sevigny, 26, of New Hampshire, was killed in a wrong-way car accident on the I-90 in Amsterdam the night of Feb. 19. According to New York State Troopers, the head-on collision occurred when 59-year-old Veronica Armbruster was traveling east on the westbound highway and struck Sevigny’s vehicle. Both drivers needed to be extricated and were the sole occupants of their vehicles. Both sustained serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment, officials said. Sevigny was later pronounced dead. Ambruster remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition, officials said. The investigation into this fatal crash is ongoing.
What Causes Wrong-Way Crashes?
Wrong-way crashes are extremely dangerous and often result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the high rate of speeds and also because such crashes end up being head-on collisions. Several common factors contribute to these accidents:
- Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug use impair judgment and reaction time, making it more likely for drivers to enter roadways in the wrong direction, especially at highway ramps or one-way streets.
- Driver confusion: Elderly drivers, tourists, or individuals unfamiliar with the area may misinterpret road signs and markings, leading them to drive the wrong way. Poorly designed intersections or inadequate signage can also contribute to the error.
- Distracted driving: Drivers using their phones, adjusting the GPS or engaging in other distractions may miss critical road signs and accidentally enter the wrong way.
- Fatigue: Drowsy drivers are more prone to making critical mistakes, such as entering a highway ramp incorrectly or veering into oncoming lanes.
- Poor visibility and road conditions: Heavy fog, rain or inadequate street lighting can make road signs difficult to see, increasing the risk of wrong-way driving.
- Intentional reckless behavior: Some crashes result from drivers acting recklessly, such as evading law enforcement or engaging in street racing.
Injuries due to Wrong-Way Collisions
Wrong-way collisions are among the most hazardous types of traffic accidents due to their high-speed, head-on impact. The direct impact increases the likelihood of severe injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and fatalities. A major factor in wrong-way crashes is limited reaction time where oncoming drivers often have little or no opportunity to avoid the collision. Additionally, many wrong-way drivers are impaired by alcohol or drugs, further reducing their ability to react or correct their course.
These collisions are particularly dangerous as they tend to occur at night when visibility is lower, making it harder for other drivers to spot and react to a wrong-way vehicle in time. Due to the severity of these accidents, wrong-way crashes result in disproportionately high fatality rates compared to other types of collisions.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of negligent (careless) drivers can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in car accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced NY personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-fatal-wrong-way-thruway-crash-amsterdam