Investigators have a strong suspicion that alcohol or drugs (or both) may have played a role in the reckless driver traveling on the wrong side of the road and causing the collision.

Nearly four hundred people are killed each year in collisions caused by drivers traveling in the wrong direction on the highway, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Studies have estimated the fatality rate for wrong-way accidents is between 12 and 27 times higher than it is for other types of accidents, according to the Boston Globe. The presence of alcohol was more than twice as likely to be a factor in a fatal wrong-way collision than in other deadly crashes, according to the aforementioned Globe article.

Pursuing Financial Restitution for Harms and Losses Caused by a Wrong-Way Driver

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an accident caused by a wrong-way driver, you probably have a basis to pursue monetary damages from the reckless driver. Taking legal action makes sense considering the severity of wrong-way collisions. In many instances, the injuries to wrong-way collision victims are extensive and potentially life-altering. The types of damages recoverable through a car accident personal injury claim include:

• Compensation for your cost of medical expenses.

The cost of ER bill, hospital stays, physical therapy, etc. can add up quickly. In serious auto accident cases, an injured victim may wind up with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. These costs can be recovered through a personal injury claim and typically include the incurred costs and reasonably anticipated future costs for your care.

• Lost wages

If you were seriously injured in a collision, there is a good chance you will miss a significant amount of time from work. You may even become partially or permanently disabled and unable to return to your chosen profession. This financial loss is recoverable through a personal injury claim. Even if you use vacation days or sick time during your recovery, you can still be compensated for the loss of those days since you would not have used them if not for the accident.

• Pain and suffering

Medical expenses and lost wages are fairly straightforward to calculate since there are invoices and W-2s that can serve as the basis for claiming economic harm. Pain and suffering damages are more intangible in nature. They are those harms like missing out on playing in the yard with your kids because you suffered a major knee injury or broke your leg in the collision, suffering severe headaches in the middle of the night, missing out on important events, and so forth.

Contact Our Miami Auto Accident Attorneys Today

Do not take on the insurance company alone. You should have experienced legal counsel on your side working to get you maximum compensation. The Miami attorneys at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. are here to help. Contact our office at 305-371-3111 or toll free at 866-936-9761 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Resources:

miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/homestead/article153128854.html

fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/02sep/06.cfm

bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/10/24/wrong-way-collisions-are-rare-but-deadly-according-national-statistics/GXskIu6IbBMkMwfBQWckSJ/story.html

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) wrong-way collisions occur when a car is driving on divided highways or access ramps in the opposite direction of traffic flow. In Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation reports that 280 wrong way crashes killed 75 victims in Florida highways between 2009 and 2013.

Why do Wrong Way Accidents Happen?

The investigation into the wrong way accident is still ongoing and it may be awhile before investigators know what caused this particular accident. However, the NTSB conducted an investigation into wrong way accidents and found that causes of wrong-way accidents include:

• Drunk Driving: driving while intoxicated impairs a driver’s judgment and vision. This means that intoxicated drivers are less likely to see and follow road signs.
• Confusing Road Signs: many wrong way accidents occur when a car enters an exit ramp. This may in part be due to bad signage and a driver’s unfamiliarity with a city. Oftentimes poorly lit signs fail to give unfamiliar drivers enough information about access ramps.
• Senior Drivers: the NTSB reports that drivers over 70 are often represented as at fault drivers in wrong way accidents.
• Time of Day: the NTSB found that 78 percent of wrong way accidents occur between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. The mix of drowsy and/or drunk drivers, and the lack of light make it more likely for wrong way accidents to occur during these hours.
• Day of the Week: most wrong way accidents crashes happen on the weekend. This is partially due to the fact that more people go out and drink on weekends.
• Road Position: many wrong way collisions occur in the driving lanes closest to the median. The NTSB study found that seven out of nine wrong way accidents occur in this lane.

Let us Help you Recover from a Wrong Way Accident

Regardless of the cause of a wrong way accident, victims deserve compensation. Contact the Miami car accident attorneys at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. if you have sustained injuries in an accident in Florida. We can help you seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages and emotional distress after a wrong-way accident. Let us provide you with the legal guidance you need to make a good decision for your family. Contact us today at 305-371-3111 to schedule an appointment.