A wrong-way vehicle accident is one of the most dangerous and terrifying things that can happen behind the wheel. When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, the intensity of the crash is often catastrophic, and the injuries that result can be much more severe than in a traditional crash.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a wrong-way crash in or around Columbus, you deserve compensation. The wrong-way accident lawyers in Columbus at Bressman Law can help. We pursue the responsible party or parties for the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, reduced income capacity, and pain and suffering. If your loved one died as a result of the crash, we can file a wrongful death suit on her behalf.
The initial consultation to discuss your case with an attorney and get answers to all your questions is always free. Call today: (614) 538-1116.
Why do wrong-way accidents occur?
Unfortunately, wrong-way collisions are more common than many people realize. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that 300 to 400 people die each year from wrong-way accidents.
How your accident occurred is an important factor when it comes to building our case against the responsible party or parties. Some common causes of wrong-way accidents include:
Distracted driving: When drivers take their eyes off the road to send or read a text, enter an address in a GPS device, or fiddle with the radio, it can increase their chances of veering into oncoming traffic.
Driving under the influence: Both drugs and alcohol can increase the chances of a wrong-way crash by impairing a driver’s vision, judgment, and thought process.
A 2016 tragedy that occurred on I-77 in West Virginia illustrates the destruction wrought by intoxicated driving. A family of eight was returning home from a Disney World vacation when a drunk driver crossed the highway and struck their vehicle head-on. Two adult members of the family and two small children died in the crash.
Reckless driving: In some cases, a driver enters the oncoming lane to pass or cut off other drivers without checking for oncoming traffic first.
Medical conditions: Sometimes, drivers of a wrong-way vehicle are not distracted, reckless, or under the influence, but are instead suffering a legitimate medical event, such as a heart attack or stroke, that causes them to lose control of their vehicle.
For a free legal consultation with a wrong-way accident attorney in Columbus, call (614) 538-1116
What do I need to do after a wrong-way crash in Columbus?
Wrong-way accidents can result in a host of injuries, many of them severe. Because of the sheer force of the impact in a wrong-way crash, head, neck, and spinal injuries are especially common. Such debilitating injuries can necessitate lengthy hospital stays, surgery, and potentially a lifetime of rehabilitation and medical care.
Other types of injuries often seen in wrong-way accidents include:
- Soft tissue spinal injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Joint and ligament damage
- Eye injuries
- Severe bruising
- Lacerations
Even if you believe you did not suffer injury, you should seek medical attention right away. Not all car crash injuries present themselves immediately. You could have an internal injury slowly getting worse inside you.
Once you have met with your doctor, follow her orders. This will help protect you physically and financially. If you disobey your doctor’s orders or skip your appointments, you give the other side a reason to claim your injuries are exaggerated or a result of your refusal of medical care.
You must also call your insurance company to report the accident. Give only the facts of the accident (e.g., where the accident happened, the type of accident, the time of day, etc.). Do not speculate about what the other driver was doing and do not admit fault. If the insurance adjuster asks if you are injured, state that you are waiting for the results of any medical tests which you will share later.
Note: It is likely that the other driver’s insurer will call to request a recorded statement. Politely decline until you have spoken with us. Do not apologize for the accident and do not say you are okay. The insurer can use both of these statements against you.
Once you have visited a doctor and reported your accident to your insurer, speak with an accident attorney at Bressman Law. The sooner after the accident we can start investigating and building your case, the better our chances of a favorable outcome.
Columbus Wrong-Way Accident Attorney (614) 538-1116
Bressman Law pursues several types of damages on your behalf.
You might be eligible for many types of compensation for your wrong-way accident. Based on our evaluation of your crash, we might pursue damages from the responsible party(s) for:
Medical bills: You deserve compensation not only for the medical bills you have already paid because of your injury, but also for those you incur in the future. By interviewing doctors and medical experts, we can calculate every reasonable cost you might face down the road, including physical therapy, rehabilitation, and outpatient care.
Lost wages and earning capacity: If you have missed work while recovering from your injury, we can pursue the responsible party for compensation for your lost wages. Also, if your injury has reduced your capacity to work and earn an income in the future, we can seek damages for your lost earning capacity.
Miscellaneous expenses: You can recover compensation if you needed to modify your home or vehicle to accommodate your disability. You can also demand compensation for travel costs to and from doctor’s appointments (e.g., gas, tolls, parking fees).
Pain and suffering: You also deserve compensation for your pain and suffering, and we seek the max damages allowed under the law.
Punitive damages: If the responsible party went beyond negligence and showed malice or wanton disregard for your safety, we can seek punitive damages on top of any other compensation you receive.
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Where can I find a wrong-way accident lawyer near me?
Any personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation after a wrong-way car accident. But not all attorneys are created equal. Some advertise themselves as qualified personal injury lawyers, but are simply looking for a quick payday and do not put in the time and effort to build a comprehensive case on your behalf.
At Bressman Law, our track record in car accident cases speaks for itself. We fight relentlessly for injury victims and can put our resources to work for you. And we do not collect a fee from you until we win you a settlement.
The sooner you call, the sooner we can start working on your case and get you paid. Set up a time to come in for a free consultation, where you can sit down with our team and get answers to any questions you might have. Call today for an appointment: (614) 538-1116.
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