Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Wrong way car collisions claim over 400 lives, on average, across the country. These crashes happen when a car ends up going in the direction of ongoing traffic. Most commonly, these accidents occur on highways, especially on exit ramps. However, they can also happen on any roadway.
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Common Causes of Wrong Way Accidents in Homestead
Wrong way collisions are not “accidents.” They are usually very preventable and may be caused by human error, especially by:
- Drunk driving: According to the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) about half of wrong way collisions involve a driver under the influence. When drivers are inebriated, they may fail to notice “wrong way” signs or may make poor choices, leading to wrong way crashes.
- Mechanical failure: Tire issues, faulty brakes, and poorly-designed car parts can cause a driver to lose control and enter oncoming traffic lanes.
- Road work and road construction: Traffic circles, one-way streets, and complex multi-lane highways are confusing enough. When road work is added to the mix, the usual direction of traffic may be changed or confusing detours may be put in place, causing confusion for drivers.
- Confused driving: Drivers who have cognitive issues such as dementia may not be able to recognize signs which help them determine the flow of traffic. Even healthy drivers can become confused when they are in an unfamiliar area.
- Distracted driving: Distracted drivers may not notice signs indicating the flow or traffic or signs indicating one-way streets.
- Poor road design or signage: When road signs are missing or when poor design allows for easy access to oncoming traffic without indicating to drivers how they can merge safely, crashes can happen.
Injuries in Homestead Caused by Wrong Way Collisions
The injuries in wrong way crashes tend to be serious and even deadly, since cars headed the wrong way are usually at risk of a head-on crash. In addition, since these collisions often occur on highways, speed can be a factor. For both these reasons, wrong way collisions are more likely to result in fatalities or serious injuries when compared with side-swipe, rear-end shunt, and other types of collisions.
Wrong way head-on car crashes in Homestead can result in many painful and challenging injuries, including:
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Facial injuries
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
If you have been in a wrong-way car collision, get emergency medical help for yourself or anyone else at the scene who needs it. Be sure to get documentation of the scene, including where the cars came to rest after the crash, any tire marks on the road, any damage to the cars, and any signs on the road. For example, if a “wrong way” or “one way” sign is obscured by trees or is missing, be sure to capture that. Also, get the contact information of the other driver and any witnesses.
You will want to contact your insurance company, but you may also want to contact a Homestead wrong way collision claims attorney. An attorney can help you understand how much your case may be worth, can seek out all liable parties in your case, and can pursue fair compensation on your behalf if you qualify. He or she can also negotiate with your insurance company so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
If you’d like to speak to a legal team with more than 60 years of experience, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN). You initial consultation with us is free accident consultation and comes with no obligation. It’s your chance to find out whether you may have a claim.