Although wrong-way car accidents are not the most common type of collision, they often cause victims to suffer catastrophic injuries or death. If you or a family member were hurt in a wrong-way collision that was not your fault, you need to understand why they happen and who the liable parties could be if you want to win your case and receive all the compensation you deserve in your settlement.
Leading Causes of Wrong-Way Car Accidents
Wrong-way auto accidents most frequently happen at night and on highways and their entrance and exit ramps and one-way roads. While driver negligence is often the cause of these tragic wrecks, this is not always true. Here are some common reasons they occur:
- Drunk driving—one of the top causes
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Driver confusion
- Inadequate road lighting
- Poor design of the road or highway
- Inadequately marked ramps
- Lack of signs
- Defective vehicle parts
Who Could Be Responsible for Compensating You in a Deadly Wrong-Way Wreck?
In order to identify the parties who were at fault in causing your wrong-way accident, you will need the help of an experienced car accident attorney. They will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of your crash and may hire expert witnesses to assist with this.
They will also determine who is liable for compensating you. If there was more than one cause of your crash, more than one party could be legally responsible for compensating you for your injuries. It is crucial to identify all the potentially negligent parties and file claims with their insurance company if you want to receive the maximum recovery for your injuries. They include:
- Driver. In most cases, a driver’s negligence will be the only cause of or a contributory cause of a wrong-way accident, and they will face liability for compensating you.
- Contractor. If the road or highway was poorly designed, the contractor responsible for its design and construction may be partially to blame for the crash.
- Municipality. The local government authority responsible for the road’s construction and maintenance could also face liability if inadequate lighting, poor design, or signage problems were the cause of your collision. If you are pursuing a claim against a municipality, you must follow special rules when filing your claim, and the time period to do so may be much shorter than against other parties.
- Vehicle and parts manufacturer. If a design or manufacturing defect in a vehicle caused the crash, you would need to file a product liability claim against the parts and vehicle manufacturer.
Were you or a loved one injured in a wrong-way car accident that was not your fault? Our dedicated and knowledgeable legal team can identify all the liable parties and negotiate your settlement so you receive all that you should in your settlement. Call our Norfolk office today to schedule your free consultation to learn more.
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