Did you know that wrong-way car accidents are responsible for 500 deaths in 2018? They are commonly seen on exit ramps, but also occur on the freeways.
Wrong-way car accidents are easily preventable as they occur due to a driver error. One common cause of a wrong-way car accident, weighing in for almost half of the deaths, is driving drunk. Those that drink and drive have impaired judgment, and may not see the wrong way signs. Other times, these individuals just make bad calls and go that way anyway.
A second common cause of wrong-way car accidents is the motorist has lost control of the vehicle. This may be because a tire has blown, the brakes are faulty, or there is a malfunction in a part of the car. This can make the car spin around, heading into oncoming traffic.
And what about road construction? Many times, drivers are confused about traffic changes, and when added into one-way roads, roundabouts, or multi-lane freeways, the motorist is not sure which way to go. This can easily lead to going the wrong way.
Speaking of confusion, there may be drivers on the road who suffer from dementia or other cognitive troubles that could make them even more confused. These individuals may not be able to tell which way traffic is flowing, thus making them drive in the wrong direction. This may even happen to all individuals that are not familiar with the area they are driving in.
The elderly drivers cause approximately 15% of wrong-way car collisions. This may be due to dementia we spoke about above, while others have vision issues.
Many times, distractions will be a reason for wrong-way car accidents. This could be due to using a cell phone, eating, rocking out to music, or arguing with a child in the backseat. The driver may not notice a wrong way sign, or could easily turn into oncoming traffic.
Roadways may also be poorly marked. Ramps may not be marked properly, or there may be signs that have faded and are no longer clear. Trees may be blocking the sign, or there may be lighting issues.
Sadly, wrong-way car accidents cause many other injuries that can be quite painful to those that wind up in these collisions. Whiplash and other neck injuries often occur to those in these accidents. People have suffered fractures, head trauma, internal injuries, soft tissue injuries, or facial injuries. Broken bones, such as the pelvis, arms, or legs, are quite common in this type of collision as well. Amputations and spinal cord injuries have also been known to occur. Organs could also suffer damage.
If you are the victim of a wrong-way car accident, be certain to get medical assistance for yourself and anyone else involved in the collision. You will also want to take pictures of the scene, be sure to snap images of where the cars stopped after the accident occurred. Take pictures of any tire marks on the roadways, grass, or gravel. You should also snap pictures of any damage done to the vehicles, regardless of how large or small it is. And look around the scene of the accident for any other damage caused, such as a road sign knocked over, a fence drove through, or tree limbs that may have snapped off.
You will also want to get the contact information of the driver who caused the accident, as well as any others that were involved. Full name, address, telephone number, and insurance information should be exchanged. If there were witnesses, be certain to ask them for their name, address, and phone numbers as well.
Regardless of whether you are at fault or not, be sure to call your insurance company. And you will also want to speak with a personal injury attorney to help you.
If you have been involved in a wrong-way car accident in St Petersburg or Palm Harbor in FL, call respected personal injury attorneys, such as attorneys at Blenner Law Group. They can provide you with the best advice to help you receive the compensation you deserve in your time of need.
Picture Credit: Crello