The Dangers of Wrong-Way Accidents

Of the many types of car accidents in which a person can be involved, wrong-way crashes are some of the most dangerous. Furthermore, these kinds of collisions seem to be occurring at an increasing rate across Florida. In the first week of 2024 alone, there were eleven fatal crashes in Florida and three of them involved a wrong-way driver. While the Florida Department of  Transportation (FDOT) is continuing to implement new technologies (e.g. camera detection systems and LED wrong-way signs) to help address this problem, these kinds of accidents continue to plague Florida drivers. Frustratingly, these collisions are almost always avoidable, as they usually are the result of driver intoxication or distraction.

How Common are Wrong-Way Accidents in Florida? 

While they may not be as common as other kinds of car accidents, wrong-way crashes are notorious for having particularly devastating results. For instance, of the 3,584 wrong-way crashes that occurred in Florida last year, 128 were fatal. The others resulted in extremely severe injuries, including crushed and broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), lacerations, amputations, and burns.

Recovering Compensation for Wrong-Way Accidents

 Treating the kinds of injuries that are sustained in wrong-way accidents often proves to be not only painful and difficult, but also extremely expensive. This can leave accident victims in a difficult spot financially. Fortunately, accident victims can sometimes recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and permanent disability if they can prove that the other driver was at fault for the crash. Unlike with many car accident cases, this is often far less difficult in wrong-way crashes, where the fault for the accident clearly lies with one party. To help establish fault, claimants will need photos of the accident scene, footage from dashboard or security cameras, eyewitness testimony, and accident reconstruction models.

What to Do if You See a Wrong-Way Driver

 If you notice a wrong-way driver, there are a few steps you can take to help prevent an accident, including:

• Slowing down;
• Proceeding with caution;
• Moving to the outside lane or exiting the interstate; and
• Calling law enforcement right away to report the wrong-way driver.

Unfortunately, wrong-way accidents often occur suddenly, leaving other road users with little time to react or avoid a collision, making a collision inevitable. If this happens, it is imperative that the injured party seek compensation from the at-fault party by filing a claim with the driver’s insurer or pursuing a legal claim.

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation Today 

To speak with an experienced Tampa auto accident lawyer about recovering compensation from the at-fault parties who caused your own collision, please call Anderson & Anderson today. We have been helping Florida accident victims for more than 40 years and are eager to put our experience and resources to work for you and your family. Call us at 813-251-0072 to get started on your case. You can also reach a member of our dedicated support staff by sending us an online message.

Sources:

 wftv.com/news/local/nearly-dozen-fatal-crashes-reported-so-far-2024-several-due-wrong-way-driving/

nbcmiami.com/news/local/safety-improvements-underway-to-prevent-wrong-way-crashes-on-florida-roadways/2995270/#:~:text