WRONG WAY DRIVING COLLISIONS

car accident attorney in Sacramento

In the 22 years between 1995 and 2013, there were 23 fatal collisions due to wrong-way driving on average.

Wrong-way driving has decreased overall nationally in the last few decades, but there has been a recent surge in the state of California. In 2011, 27 people were killed in California in wrong-way accidents. In 2012, there were 53 deaths and 2013 fell only to 44 deaths. This is of great concern to drivers as well as government officials. In fact, 2013 established the first national annual wrong-way driver summit. Car accidents that occur because of a driver driving the wrong way is completely irresponsible. If you or someone you know has been in an auto accident due to wrong way driving, speak with speak with auto accident lawyers in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firm to discuss your legal options.

Although wrong-way collisions are not very common, their effects are often devastating. When two cars are driving directly towards each other, there is not a lot of time to react. When these incidents occur on highways, the speeds of the cars increases the likelihood for severe injury or death.

Causes of Wrong Way Auto Accidents

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority of wrong-way driving accidents occur because an individual was driving under the influence of alcohol. There are several common causes for wrong-way accidents:

• Drunk driving is the most common reason for wrong-way collisions. Unfortunately, one individual’s reckless choice to drink and drive often leads to devastating effects for innocent individuals who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. According the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most wrong-driving accidents occur on the weekends or at night. This makes sense as most alcohol is consumed at this time and the lack of light may make it more difficult to realize where an individual is driving. To make things worse, drunk drivers often end up in the fast lane, believing they are in the slow lane. This means the car they are more likely to collide with is driving at a higher speed.
• Other drugs. Sometimes, drivers on other drugs that have not been drinking can become disoriented and enter a highway the wrong way or become drowsy and drift into the traffic going the other way.
• Elderly drivers suffering from dementia. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are devastating conditions that affect our elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, this can make them forget or mix-up familiar driving patterns. They also may forget what certain signs mean and thus can’t understand when indicators tell them they are driving the wrong way.
• Suicidal drivers. This is probably the most rare cause of wrong-way driving, but an individual who decides to end his or her life may make the reckless and selfish decision to drive on the wrong side of the road, without regard to others who may be injured.

Outside of entering a highway incorrectly, wrong-way car accidents may happen on roads without a barrier. In these instances, a drowsy driver or driver experiencing a medical condition may drift into oncoming traffic. Almost all wrong-way driving collisions could have been prevented. Speak with car accident attorney in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firm if you were hit by a driver driving the wrong way. It’s important you seek the compensation you deserve for someone else’s negligent behavior.

Effects of Wrong Way Auto Accidents

Individuals who drive on the wrong side of the road are likely to cause head-on collisions, which often result in severe injuries and death. The California Department of Transportation discovered that wrong way accidents cause nearly 12 times the number of deaths compared to all other highway accidents. Injuries that may be incurred due to wrong-way accidents include the following:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Paralysis
• Comatosis
• Loss of limbs
• Nerve damage
• Brain damage
• Death

Legal Consequences of Wrong Way Auto Accidents

Beside the consequences of being found to be driving drunk, the potential legal consequences specifically for driving on the wrong side of the road include the following:

• A fine of up to $100
• 1 point on the driving record – this is likely to increase insurance premiums
• License suspension
• Jail time
• Traffic school

If a driver is found to be under the influence or if a car collision occurs, the potential consequences skyrocket. There are many additional charges that may be placed on a wrong-way driver, such as negligence or reckless driving.

Victims of Wrong Way Auto Accidents

If you or someone you loved was the victim of a wrong way collision, you do have options. Individuals are able to seek legal action by talking to car accident attorney in Sacramento and receive compensation for their pain and suffering or the pain and suffering of a loved one.

It is pivotal to seek legal advice as soon as possible from a trusted law firm. Being involved in a wrong-way accident can be traumatizing. The last thing you want to think about is going to court. Unfortunately it is a likely necessity in order to receive the compensation you deserve. Wrong-way accidents often have devastating physical effects and the medical bills can pile up quickly. If you lost a loved one due to a wrong-way collision, it is possible to seek damages for wrongful death, their medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.

Call car accident attorney in Sacramento

If you have been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another, regardless of the nature of the underlying accident, it is important to contact experienced car accident attorney in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firm to discuss your legal options. We have offices in Sacramento & Fairfield, CA for your convenience and have the resources and expertise to aggressively litigate your case in court, fighting to get you just compensation for your injury.
 
Call (916) 306-0636 today for a free consultation with our car accident attorney in Sacramento regarding your auto accident injury case.