An overcorrection while trying to get back onto the highway in New Kent County, Virginia (VA), led to a two-vehicle crash that left the at-fault driver dead and another person hospitalized with serious injuries. The wreck happened near the intersection of Route 249/New Kent Highway and Route 613/Dispatch Road.
Virginia State Police received the call about the collision east of Richmond a little before 6:40 pm on January 12, 2018. Troopers determined that a pickup truck driver headed east had run off the right side of Route 249, overcorrected his steering, reentered the pavement out of control and crossed into the path of westbound traffic on the two-lane highway. A Honda SUV then crashed into the passenger’s side of the pickup.
Both drivers were taken to the hospital. The person behind the wheel of the Honda survived, but the pickup driver succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators did not tell reporters why they believe the pickup left the roadway in the first place. They were clear, however, that overcorrection set the stage for the rest of the fatal collision ad caused the at-fault driver to cross the double yellow line.
On a list of nine actions drivers can take to prevent crashes, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles includes avoiding sudden moves and overcorrection as the ninth safety tip. Specifically, the DMV writes,
A sudden response or over-correction, such as jerking the steering wheel to the right or left, or slamming on the brakes can cause the vehicle to skid, swerve into oncoming traffic or veer off the roadway. You can avoid sudden surprises that lead to reactive moves by watching the traffic and roadway ahead, behind and around you.
If the final report on this crash in New Kent County indicates that the pickup truck driver acted negligently or recklessly in the moments before running off the road, the injured person from the Honda SUV would have strong grounds for filing a personal injury insurance claim. Even though the pickup driver lost his life, his insurance policy will remain in effect until all legitimate claims are settled or resolved in some other way.
Partnering with a dedicated Virginia personal injury lawyer will help the survivor of this wreck on Route 249 receive all the information from police investigators. An attorney will also be able to handle communications with insurance company representatives while the injured victim focuses on returning to physical health.
EJL