Zephyrhills, FL Head-On Crash Injury Lawyer

Wrong-way driving can be extremely hazardous because it often leads to catastrophic head-on crash injury can be deadly. When another driver enters the roadway in the wrong direction, the safety of everyone traveling alongside them is in jeopardy.

Common Causes of Head-On Crash Injuries

Driver distraction plays a significant role in causing injuries during head-on collisions. The types of injuries resulting from these accidents can include bone fractures, internal injuries, hemorrhaging, contusions, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, as well as other traumatic injuries or even death.

To prove that a wrong-way driver was distracted, you must establish several elements of negligence: Duty, Breach of Duty, Proximate Cause, and Injury. It is essential to provide sufficient evidence for all four elements to secure damages compensation. At Whittel & Melton, our team can gather facts and evidence on your behalf to build a strong case.

Wrong-way drivers pose a danger to all motorists in Florida. According to a 2021 report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, wrong-way driving crashes accounted for approximately 3.7% of all fatal crashes on divided highways between 2010 and 2018. These incidents often happen because a driver isn’t paying attention, whether because of talking or texting on the phone, eating, drinking, or daydreaming.

Wrong-Way Driving Scenarios that Can Leave You Injured

1. Entering a One-Way Street in the Wrong Direction: This scenario often happens in areas with one-way traffic, like downtown or urban settings.
2. Wrong-Way Entry or Exit on the Freeway: This is a common case of wrong-way driving, where a driver goes against oncoming traffic at a freeway ramp.
3. Driving on the Wrong Side of the Highway: Drivers often get confused about directions, take the wrong exit, or become too distracted to pay attention to the road.

Types of Wrong-Way Drivers

Drivers traveling in the wrong direction can be classified into the following categories:

• Intoxicated Drivers: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impairing their judgment and reaction times.
• Reckless Drivers: Those deliberately navigating against traffic to avoid congestion or take shortcuts, often putting themselves and others at risk.
• Distracted or Inattentive Drivers: Drivers whose attention is diverted due to factors such as texting, using a phone, or other distractions unknowingly driving the wrong way.

Tips to Stay Safe from Wrong-Way Drivers in Pasco County

Stay vigilant for wrong-way drivers while in Zephyrhills and Pasco County. To ensure your safety, follow these tips:

• Watch for signs of an oncoming wrong-way driver, like swerving or headlights facing the wrong direction.
• Avoid driving long in the inside freeway lane. Be extra cautious on curves and follow road signs.
• Wrong-way drivers often use the inside lane or shoulder, thinking it’s a two-lane highway.
• Head-on crashes are the most common wrong-way accidents, but sideswipes also happen often.
• If a car is coming toward you, flash your lights and pull over to avoid a crash.

If you were injured in a car accident caused by an inattentive driver who was driving the wrong way, please contact the experienced attorneys at Whittel & Melton. Your initial consultation is always free, so contact us today in Zephyrhills at 813-221-3200 or statewide at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).