Wrong-way accidents are often severe collisions that cause significant and life-changing injuries. That is because wrong-way drivers frequently cause head-on collisions, during which victims experience high forces that can easily break bones and cause internal injuries.
According to a study conducted by Safe Home Alabama (SHA), there were approximately 1,000 wrong-way accidents in Alabama per year over a five-year period, leading to hundreds of injuries and around 40 fatalities annually.
If you were hurt in a wrong-way accident that was not your fault in Huntsville or the surrounding areas of Madison County and North Alabama, contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., now for a free case review. One of our experienced and knowledgeable Huntsville wrong-way accident attorneys can review your situation and explain your options for seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
What Are Common Causes of Wrong-Way Car Crashes in Huntsville?
Wrong-way car crashes in Huntsville can have many causes. Some of the most common include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted driving, inattentive drivers, driver confusion, improperly marked one-way roads and highway on-ramps, and aggressive drivers overtaking vehicles by driving in the wrong lane.
Something that makes wrong-way accidents particularly prevalent in Huntsville is the city’s complex system of highway ramps. For example, the interchange where Interstate 565 and US Route 431 intersect is a web of on- and off-ramps that could be confusing for visitors. Interstate 565 also has many other ramps connecting to local roads, including Jefferson Street and Washington Street, for example.
When highway ramps are not properly marked with signs, including wrong-way signs, drivers may get confused and get on a highway in the wrong direction, leading to a severe collision.
What Injuries Are Typically Sustained in Wrong-Way Accidents?
Because wrong-way accidents often involve head-on collisions, potentially at highway speeds, the injuries they cause can be life-changing or even fatal. Some examples of potentially severe injuries in Huntsville wrong-way accidents include:
- Broken bones, including broken femurs, which are the strongest bones in the body
- Spinal cord injuries, leading to paralysis in particularly severe cases
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that may cause permanent cognitive and physical impairment
- Neck injuries, including whiplash, which can leave victims with chronic pain and reduced mobility
- Internal organ damage that requires immediate medical attention to prevent the damage from spreading and leading to medical complications
- Fatal injuries caused by the high forces involved in the collision or a lack of immediate medical attention
How Much Money Can You Receive from a Wrong-Way Collision Lawsuit in Huntsville?
Alabama requires that all drivers have at least the following amounts of liability insurance coverage:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
When seeking compensation after a wrong-way accident in Huntsville, filing a claim against the at-fault party’s auto insurance policy is typically your first option. However, the limits on the at-fault party’s policy are not necessarily the maximum compensation you could recover.
In some cases, your auto insurance coverage could provide additional compensation through an uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) claim. We can assist you with seeking benefits from your auto policy.
Through identifying additional at-fault parties and filing personal injury lawsuits, our wrong-way driver injury lawyers in Huntsville may be able to help you recover more compensation. For example, some of the highest settlements and verdicts we have secured for clients injured in automobile collisions are $5 million, $4.9 million, and $3.1 million.
The exact value of your case depends on various factors, including the extent of your injuries and the at-fault parties involved. Our lawyers are ready to fully analyze your situation to seek out every potential source of compensation.
How Long Should a Wrong-Way Accident Settlement Take?
A wrong-way accident settlement could take anywhere from several months to several years, depending on the unique circumstances of your case. For example, a case may take longer to settle if it involves multiple liable parties and liability disputes. If the at-fault party’s insurance company offers lowball settlements, negotiations could take longer as your lawyer works to obtain fair compensation for your losses.
Additionally, it is typically in your best interest not to settle your wrong-way collision lawsuit in Huntsville until after reaching maximum medical improvement. That is the point at which further treatment is unlikely to result in additional recovery, which means that medical complications are less likely to occur. Once you reach this point, it will be easier for your lawyer to calculate your future medical expenses.
When Is It Worth It to Get a Lawyer After a Wrong-Way Accident?
The best time to hire a lawyer after a wrong-way accident is as soon as possible. Hiring a lawyer to handle your car accident claim provides many benefits. The sooner you hire our Huntsville car accident attorneys, the sooner we can begin working on your behalf.
Our lawyers can investigate the accident, identify the at-fault parties, and gather supporting evidence, such as traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, accident scene photographs, and expert testimony. We can also calculate your losses, demand compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company, and negotiate with them. If necessary, we can file a lawsuit and take your case to court to seek the compensation you need.
It is also crucial to remember that the other party and their insurance company will have legal representation. Not having a personal injury attorney of your own will put you at an immediate disadvantage in settlement negotiations and in court, if a trial becomes necessary.
Your Legal Options with a Wrong-Way Driver Injury Lawyer in Huntsville
While your first option for seeking compensation is typically to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability policy, that may not be your only option. The attorneys at our law firm might also be able to help you pursue compensation from your auto policy’s UM/UIM coverage if the at-fault driver had too little coverage or none at all.
During our investigation, our Huntsville car accident lawyers may be able to identify other at-fault parties to file lawsuits against to seek additional compensation. Examples of potentially liable third parties include:
- Vehicle manufacturers or maintenance providers, if a mechanical failure causes a vehicle to drift into oncoming traffic
- Government entities responsible for road maintenance, if poorly marked one-way roads or highway on ramps caused confusion that led to the collision
- Individuals or establishments that provided alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who caused the wrong-way collision
Contact Our Huntsville Wrong-Way Accident Attorneys
Were you injured by a wrong-way driver in Huntsville, Alabama? Contact the wrong-way accident lawyers of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., now for a free consultation. We will review the circumstances of the accident that caused your injuries and explain your best legal options for seeking maximum compensation.
