Wrong-Way Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles, California
Wrong-Way Freeway Accidents
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) reports that wrong-way accidents cause between 300 and 400 traffic fatalities annually. Far too many motorists are injured or killed due to the negligence and carelessness of wrong-way drivers each year. If you or someone you love became a victim in a wrong-way freeway accident, you need an experienced Los Angeles wrong-way accident lawyer to help you seek a settlement or court award to pay for your damages.
What causes wrong-way freeway accidents?
Wrong-way accidents can usually be attributed to some form of driver error. Most occur because a driver entered a freeway exit ramp; this is more common than such accidents that occur when a driver exits an entrance ramp. The contributing factors to these mistakes can vary from one accident to the next. A skilled Los Angeles wrong-way accident attorney can help determine the circumstances and cause.
According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 58% of wrong-way drivers who cause an accident are driving under the influence (DUI). Almost 50% of those accidents were confirmed to be alcohol-related. Approximately 4% of the involved drivers were under the influence of drugs, while more than 3% had been consuming alcohol at the time of the accident. In other cases, wrong-way freeway accidents were caused by:
- Distracted driving, such as texting while driving
- Drivers unfamiliar with the freeways in the area
- Ramps that are not well-marked
- Signs that are not appropriately placed
- Ramp design
- Lack of signs Lack of visibility
- Drowsy or tired drivers
- Drivers dealing with mental health problems
No matter what caused your wrong-way freeway accident, you likely have a claim since the other driver was almost certainly negligent in traveling the wrong way on the freeway. An experienced wrong-way accident lawyer can prove their negligence and help you recover fair compensation for all that you have endured.
Types of damages in a wrong-way accident claim
Damages are the ways in which you were inconvenienced, suffered, or incurred losses as a result of your accident. Each case is unique; however, plaintiffs usually claim general and special damages. General damages, also sometimes referred to as non-economic damages, are those that are not quantifiable and can be subjective. There is no specific monetary value to general damages. Examples of these type of damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Special or economic damages do have a monetary value, and often include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Property damages
The wrong-way accident attorneys at Blair & Ramirez can help you determine which damages you suffered as a result of your accident and ensure that your settlement or award adequately compensates you for all of your losses. As a victim, you should always keep in mind that the insurance company will do everything it can to pay you as little as possible, so you should always talk to a lawyer prior to accepting a settlement offer.
Were you injured in an accident? Our wrong-way accident lawyers in Los Angeles can help
Wrong-way freeway accidents are known for being serious and causing substantial injuries. If you have injuries from this type of accident, you could be unable to go to work, receive medical bills from multiple providers, and have to carry on despite your pain and suffering. You shouldn’t have to go through this process alone or without legal representation. Our experienced accident lawyers are here to help you. All you have to do is reach out.
Call us for a free consultation.
At Blair & Ramirez LLP, we’re committed to helping people injured in serious accidents recover compensation. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys, call our office today at (213) 568-4000 or contact us online.