Over the weekend, there was a fatal crash in Jackson County. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the incident happened on U.S. 74 on Saturday. Very few details about this fatal wreck have been released, but we do know two people were killed in the crash. Initial reports indicate that an eastbound vehicle traveled off of the right shoulder of the road and hit a guardrail before going into the westbound lane. The eastbound vehicle then hit another vehicle head on. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle, a 45-year-old driver from Hendersonville, has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, left of center and failure to wear a seatbelt.
Fatal Crashes on U.S. Roadways
Officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently reported that although the number of traffic deaths decreased in 2018, there were still 36,560 deaths on U.S. roadways last year. Although overall traffic fatalities fell by about 1,000 in 2018, deaths involving pedestrians, cyclists and large-truck occupants saw increases.
Improving Highway Traffic Safety Through Educational Campaigns
Over the past 40 years, there has been a general decrease in vehicle crash fatalities across the nation. This trend is being attributed to a variety of safety programs and educational campaigns targeted specifically to issues like seat belt safety, the dangers of drunk driving and other traffic safety issues impacting U.S. roadways. In 2018, drunk-driving fatalities dropped about four percent, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic deaths, which is the lowest percentage on record since 1982.
Car Accidents in Asheville
After any kind of injury accident involving a dangerous or negligent driver, it’s a good idea to speak with a Personal Injury lawyer about your case. Crashes involving suspected distracted or drowsy drivers can take additional investigative efforts, and a lawyer can keep you abreast of any developments in the case.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident in Asheville or in any of the surrounding Western North Carolina communities, contact the skilled and proven team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation.