Wrong-way driver causes crash before driving into bayou

Houston, TX – A wrong-way driver faces possible charges after causing two other vehicles to crash before he crashed his own vehicle into a southwest Houston pond Sunday morning.

According to Fox 26, the driver was caught sleeping in his vehicle at the intersection of South Post Oak Boulevard and West Fuqua Street around 7:00 a.m. After being awakened by Houston Fire Department personnel, the driver drove the wrong way, caused two other vehicles to crash, and then crashed his own car into Sims Bayou.

While no one was hurt, the wrong-way driver may face charges stemming from the incident.

Most Common Types of Distracted Driving

Fatigued driving of the type that may have caused Sunday morning’s collision often overlaps with other forms of distraction. When a driver’s attention shifts from the activity of driving, even momentarily, it sharply increases the risk of an accident. Distraction can occur in several ways:

• Visual distraction, which involves a driver looking away from the road
• Manual distraction, which occurs when a driver removes one or both hands from the steering wheel
• Cognitive distraction, which happens when a driver’s mind drifts from driving
• Auditory distraction, in which a driver’s attention is pulled by sounds inside or outside the vehicle
• Combination distraction, which happens when more than one form of distraction occurs at once

Each category of distraction can create lapses in reaction time and decision-making. Fatigue only makes it worse – a tired driver is slower to refocus after being distracted, which can turn a small mistake into a serious crash.

Some of the most common examples of distracted driving include:

• Texting or using a smartphone
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Adjusting the radio or in-car controls
• Talking with passengers
• Reading GPS directions
• Engaging in personal grooming
• Daydreaming or losing focus
• Reaching for objects in the vehicle
• Looking at roadside distractions
• Using in-vehicle entertainment systems

How Do You Prove a Driver Was Distracted?

Distracted and fatigued driving both have the potential to cause substantial harm to people who get hurt in crashes caused by other drivers’ lack of attention. If you were involved in a collision, a Houston car accident lawyer can help show that another driver was distracted at the time of the crash. To do this, they’ll gather and review evidence that connects the driver’s behavior to the cause of the accident, such as police reports, phone records, surveillance footage, or witness statements that reveal the driver’s inattention behind the wheel.

The lawyer must prove that the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty by driving while distracted, and caused the collision. They’ll also need to show that you suffered measurable harm, such as medical expenses or lost income. Putting all this evidence together can build a case that the driver’s distraction directly led to the crash and makes them liable for compensating you.

Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Today 

If you suffered injuries in a collision caused by a distracted or fatigued driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the resulting medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage. Consider reaching out to an experienced Houston car crash attorney to discuss your options for pursuing compensation.