If a driver is traveling in the wrong direction based on posted road signs, this may result in an accident. These accidents can cause serious injuries or even be fatal, and wrong-way driving accidents result in 300 to 400 deaths each year in the United States, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
If you were injured or lost a loved one in this type of collision in Atlanta, Georgia, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help. The team from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers is able to discuss the possibility of filing a claim and recovering the compensation you may be entitled to for the damages you suffered. Call us at (404) 888-8888 for a free case review.
Possible Causes of Wrong Way Accidents
Most wrong-way collisions can be attributed to driver error. Drivers are required to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and follow the rules of the road outlined by the Georgia Department of Driver Services’ (DDS) annual Driver’s Manual. Some of the underlying reasons for wrong-way collisions may include:
- Driving impaired by drugs or alcohol, which affect judgment, negatively impact vision, or impair depth perception.
- Distracted driving, including texting, talking on a cell phone, messing with a vehicle’s controls, or eating.
- Being unfamiliar with the area and having to use a map.
- Drivers who are suffering from memory loss, dementia, or other cognitive problems.
- Reckless driving by young and inexperienced drivers.
- Fatigued drivers who are drowsy or fall asleep at the wheel.
- Confusing road designs, including ramps that are not well-marked, missing stop signs, inadequate roadway lighting, or malfunctioning traffic signals.
Some of these causes may indicate negligence on the part of the at-fault driver in an accident. An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help gather evidence to establish the other driver’s negligence and so you are able to recover the compensation you may be entitled to for your damages. Call the team from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888 to learn more about your legal options to pursue a claim.
For a free legal consultation with a wrong way accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call (404) 888-8888
Damages You May Be Able to Recover in a Wrong Way Accident Claim
Georgia’s personal injury laws allow for compensation based on the particular types of damages you may have suffered as a result of a wrong-way driving accident. These damages are divided into two categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages, also referred to as “special damages,” are easier to assign a number to based on how much money you have lost or stand to lose due to the results of your accident. For example, medical expenses are an economic damage that can be quantified based on the amount of medical bills you have paid or will have to pay.
The amount of property damage you suffered for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle can also be quantified.
Lost wages are the amount of money you lost by not being able to work due to your injuries and recovery. If you became permanently disabled in the accident and were not able to return to the same job because of a wrong way accident, you may be entitled to compensation based on your lost future earning capacity.
While this aspect of your damages may be difficult to calculate, an expert such as an economist who can evaluate how much income you are expected to earn post-accident, as compared to how much you likely would have received had you not been injured, may be able to help.
Non-economic Damages
If you were harmed by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your non-economic, or “general” damages. These damages include losses you have suffered that are not as easy to assign a concrete number to, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Scarring or disfigurement
A wrong-way accident lawyer can help determine the full extent of your damages and the compensation you may be entitled to for them. You may also be entitled to receive punitive damages, which is additional compensation meant to punish a defendant for particularly egregious behavior.
Atlanta Wrong Way Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
How Bader Scott Injury Lawyers Can Help
Our team can handle every aspect of your claim, starting with an investigation into your wrong way accident and the factors that contributed to it. We can help identify all potentially liable parties.
We are also able to file a claim with the insurance company of the negligent driver and can handle all communication with the insurance company while you focus on your recovery. Our team is familiar with the tactics an insurance adjuster may use to minimize the value of your claim, as they are hired by the insurance company to protect the company’s interests. Our team can gather evidence to support your claim, establish liability, and prove the full extent of your damages so the insurance company does not attempt to resolve your claim with a low settlement offer.
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can also discuss other options to help you recover the compensation you may be entitled to for your claim, as well as the risks and benefits of the options available to you.
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Contact Our Team to Learn More About Your Claim
If you were injured, or if a loved one was killed because of another driver’s negligent or reckless conduct, an Atlanta wrong way accident lawyer can help you recover the financial compensation you may be entitled to for your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. The team from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers charges no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your claim, so you have nothing to lose by calling us at (404) 888-8888 to learn more about your legal rights and options through a free consultation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form