The Dangers of Drunk Driving, Especially on the Wrong Side of the Road

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on September 9, 2019

Driving while impaired, whether due to drugs or alcohol, is a poor decision by itself. But when you end up driving while impaired on the wrong side of the road, a situation that already puts you and every other motorist at risk becomes almost certainly deadly.

That’s what nearly happened when one man drove his Audi north up the southbound lanes on I-5 and caused three other cars to crash.

What Recently Happened Outside of Seattle?

First, the man struck a Nissan Rogue, which was then sent whirling straight into a GMC Terrain. The Audi, still on the road, then collided head-on with an Infiniti, which had three children sitting in the back seat.

Miraculously, none of the victims were seriously injured, including the three children. Of course, the outcome of this terrifying event could have been substantially worse, and it’s important to remember that drunk driving is an all-too-frequent occurrence, in which an innocent life can be cut short by the reckless behavior of someone else.

Remember the Penalties for Drunk Driving

While the risk of causing a serious injury, or even killing another driver, should be more than enough to deter anyone from potentially driving on the wrong side of the road while impaired, there are also serious legal penalties to consider.

In the state of Washington, a charge for drunk driving could lead to up to one year in jail, with steep fees. With the added charge of driving recklessly, the penalties only increase. But these punishments are only for crashes in which no one suffered any severe bodily injury. If the decision to drive down the wrong side of the road while intoxicated led to someone’s death, there can be severe criminal charges. And the victim’s family is entitled to wrongful death damages in civil court.

Have You Been the Victim of a Drunk Driving Accident? We Can Help

At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., we understand how catastrophic it can be when you’re a victim thanks to one person’s horrible and harmful mistake. We don’t want anyone to deal with this terrifying situation, but when the worst does happen, we are there to help. Our team has extensive experience helping DUI victims and their families receive the restitution they deserve—the financial compensation that covers their medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

To learn more, call our office at (425) 228-3860 and set up a free consultation.