Two Drivers Injured in Wrong-Way Accident on Dallas North Tollway near downtown Dallas, Texas

According to the Dallas Morning News, two drivers were injured in a wrong-way collision near downtown Dallas, Texas. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. when a Range Rover, driven by Ronald Nelson, was headed southbound in the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway. Nelson struck a female driver in an Infiniti SUV head-on, near the Lemmon Avenue exit. Both drivers were taken to local hospitals with what are thought to be non-life threatening injuries. Texas DPS officials state Nelson will be charged with driving while intoxicated.

Site of the Accident


View Larger Map

Commentary
It is amazing the amount of wrong-way accidents that occur on the Tollway. Unfortunately, almost all of them can be explained, partially at least, by alcohol or some other intoxicant. These are though, only allegations at this point, until the police reports come back with an intoxication screen. Knowing that this is only speculation at this point, I would like to discuss the potential ramifications if the driver was intoxicated. First though, it should be noted that ramifications are only made apparent with the help of another party examining the accident. This includes inspecting the scene, but also both vehicles, and tracing events of the wrong-way driver well before the incident.
So back to the ramifications of an accident involving an intoxicated driver, there are other outlets available to an accident victim, provided the cause of the collision. Once intoxication reports do come back positive, a plaintiff would need to track where the imbibing occurred. If this took place at a bar or restaurant, that entity could be found partially liable in the accident if they were found to serve an already intoxicated individual. In Texas, partial liability of a bar results from the continued service of alcohol to an "obviously intoxicated" individual ("obvious" being the legal term in Texas). To legally serve alcohol, the TABC trains bartenders, waiters, and staff how to identify an obviously intoxicated individual and stop their service. When an establishment fails to do this, they not only endanger the safety of the patron, but also the safety of others on the roadway, should that patron get behind the wheel of a vehicle. This is where partial liability is born. Partial though, as the bar or restaurant did not actually drive the vehicle.

Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman

Posted by: Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman | Posted on: 1/26/2012 | Comments (0)

As a Texas attorney practicing for 20 years, I have litigated all manner of personal injury cases. I use this blog as a place to write opinion / editorial articles on a variety of topics that catch my interest and as a means of sharing news stories relevant to personal injury accidents. I think the overwhelming majority of people are unaware just how common these types of accidents are and I hope this blog raises awareness to rather serious public safety concerns. However, this blog is simply a means for me to share my opinions and I would recommend that anyone who is considering seeking legal counsel should contact their family attorney.

Bookmark this post:                        

Share your comments: I'd like to hear from you. If you have input on this post or would like to share an experience or question, please complete the form below. To prevent comment spam, all comments are reviewed prior to being posted to this blog. I understand that Grossman Law Offices may respond to questions or concerns expressed in my comments and I would like to receive information about Grossman Law Offices. I hereby request Grossman Law Offices to review my comments and post them live on this website. *** All fields are required. ***
Your Name:
Your Email:
Your Phone:
Your Comments: