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One dead in head-on collision in Carroll County

On Behalf of | Oct 19, 2021 | Car Accidents

A traffic accident last week on Route 52 in Carroll County has left one dead and two critically injured. The collision occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. when a Chevrolet Impala traveling south less than a mile north of Route 686/Epworth Road crossed the center line and hit a Jeep Grand Cherokee head-on.

The impact made both vehicles spin off the road in opposite directions. The Chevrolet driver, Richard Allison, 79, of Ararat, died at the scene. The driver of the Jeep, Rush S. Edwards, 80, of Cana and an unidentified passenger were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. According to authorities, speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash.

The consequences of distracted driving

With the incidence of serious traffic accidents on the rise over the past two years, public service entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have helpful tips to raise awareness and identify the factors that are contributing to these avoidable tragedies. Every day in America, eight people die because of the negligent actions of a distracted driver.

According to the CDC, anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, even for an instant, is a distraction that can lead to a serious accident, especially at high speeds. Examples of momentary distractions include:

  • Looking at a GPS device
  • Changing channels on the radio
  • Texting and driving
  • Adjusting mirrors
  • Talking to a passenger or talking on the phone
  • Eating a sandwich

Reading a text while driving 55 miles an hour is the equivalent of driving the full length of a football with your eyes closed.

Negligence in Virginia

Negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable care in a situation in which another person or persons suffer injury or damages. Virginia courts follow the legal theory of pure contributory negligence when determining compensation awards in a lawsuit, which can make it challenging to recover damages after a car accident unless the evidence clearly points to one driver’s full responsibility for causing it.

For residents of Southern Virginia, it is important to discuss options for recovery and to find out more about how to file a claim in order to obtain the full compensation that you deserve.