Woman Killed in Avoidable Auto Accident

download (1) A woman has been killed in an accident that authorities claim could have been avoided.

According to authorities, the accident happened at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Sunday when a man, driving against traffic by driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95, slammed into another vehicle, killing the driver and sending himself and three others to the hospital in critical condition.

The victim has been identified as Carmen Rosa Criales, 23. Criales was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The two passengers in Criales’ vehicle and the alleged wrong-way driver were transported to Ryder Trauma Center. All are listed in critical condition.

The wrong-way driver has been identified as 24-year-old Franklin Chavez.

The fatal crash is still under investigation. Police expect to determine whether Chavez was impaired at the time of the accident or will need to face any charges over the course of the next few days.

This crash follows the pattern that a recent study found regarding causes of wrong-way accidents. The study indicated that it is up to five times more likely that a wrong-way crash will occur in the hours between midnight and 6 a.m.

While it may take a little more time for the investigators to conclude their findings, wrong-way accidents are most often caused because a driver either got confused or disoriented because the driver is in an unfamiliar place, or the driver is in some way impaired. Many wrong-way crashes happen because a driver has been drinking before getting behind the wheel. In half of all wrong way crashes that occur on America’s roadways, such accidents often result in the death or permanent injury of at least one person involved in the crash.

If you or a loved one has been injured or has tragically lost their life as the result of an accident of any kind, call our offices today.

Our attorneys will be glad to speak with you about your situation and outline a course of action to take in your accident case. You and your loved ones may be entitled to compensation for any medical costs, damages, or even wrongful death.

Also, while you and your family are putting your lives back together, we can also serve as your point of contact when dealing with insurance companies and all others regarding your accident claim.

We understand the difficulties that arise after an accident and we have dedicated years of service to our clients in the Miami-Dade area and in the Florida Courts.