Wrong-Way Car Accidents

You’re driving home from work one day, and as you approach an on-ramp to the highway, you see a vehicle heading toward you in the wrong lane. You quickly slam on your brakes, but it’s too late – the vehicle hits yours head-on. This is a nightmare scenario for many drivers, and unfortunately, it happens more often than you might think.

In this blog post, we will discuss what to do if you are involved in a wrong-way crash and why you should consider talking to the car accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. If you’ve been injured in this type of accident, or tragically had a loved one taken from you, we will do everything we can to help you get the money you deserve.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the most respected attorney-ranking service organization in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate. 

How Can Someone Go the Wrong Way on a Highway or Street?

According to data from the Foundation for Traffic Safety, an average of 360 motorists died in wrong-way crashes from 2004 to 2009.

There are a few different ways that vehicles can end up going the wrong way on a highway or street. For example, sometimes people accidentally take an off-ramp in the wrong direction, or they may enter a highway through the wrong entrance. In other cases, drivers may intentionally try to go the wrong way on a highway to avoid traffic, or they may drive the wrong way due to a medical issue, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Because of these different scenarios, there are many potential causes for a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on a highway or street. But regardless of how it happens, this is an extremely dangerous situation that can lead to serious injuries and even death.

What to Do if You are Involved in an Accident with Someone Driving in the Wrong Direction

If you are involved in a wrong-way accident, it is important to remain calm. There are several things you’ll need to do, including the following:

Check for Injuries

After any vehicle accident, the first thing that you should do is check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 if someone needs medical attention. If you do not have any injuries, check on the other driver and passengers to see if they need medical help.

Move Your Vehicle Out of Traffic

If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic so that it does not cause further accidents or slow down traffic even more than it already has been slowed by your accident. But be careful not to put yourself in danger by trying to move your vehicle if it is too damaged.

Call the Police

It is important to call the police after any type of vehicle accident, but this is especially true for a wrong-way accident. The police will investigate the accident and create a report that can be used as evidence later on.

Exchange Information

If you can, exchange information with the other driver and any witnesses present at the time of your accident. You should get their names, contact information, insurance provider, and policy number. If necessary, use your phone to take photos or videos of them so that you can identify them later on.

Contact an Attorney

If you are injured due to a wrong-way accident, or if the other driver was at fault, you should contact an attorney with experience in vehicle accident cases. The attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have more than 50 years of experience helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve.

How Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C Can Help if You’ve Been Hurt in a Wrong-Way Accident

For more than 50 years, the Washington DC personal injury lawyers of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones as the result of someone else’s negligence.

This is just a brief look at some of the results we’ve been able to produce for our car accident clients:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19 year old client who was a passenger in a vehicle in which the driver lost control causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Get in Touch with Us as Soon as You Can

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.