What to Do After a Wrong-Way Driving Accident

Driving in a new area can be stressful to many drivers and could cause them to travel the wrong way down a one-way street or even make a fatal mistake at a highway entrance. Intoxicated drivers are also highly prone to wrong-way driving errors and usually do not pick up on their mistake until it is too late, due to delayed reaction times.

These mistakes or impairment can result in tragic Citrus County auto accidents. These accidents have been seen at an alarming frequency in central and south Florida in the past few years. According to data from the Florida Department of Transportation, there were 1,173 wrong-way crashes on Florida’s freeways and toll roads from 2003 to 2012, the most recent years for which data are available. They killed 164 people and injured 1,322.

According to law enforcement, many things can cause a wrong-way driving accident, including drunk driving, drugged driving, and elderly motorists and those unfamiliar with a particular area. The Federal Highway Administration mandates safeguards to keep these accidents from occurring, including “Wrong Way” signs and “Do Not Enter” messages. While it can be hard to miss these prominently displayed warnings, impaired or distracted drivers may not notice them, or they could be too confused to understand them.

The following steps could prove useful if you are involved in a wrong-way driving accident:

1. Move your car to a safe nearby location, just make sure you are careful and do not leave the scene.
2. Check to see if anyone is hurt and call 911 for medical assistance.
3. Contact the police. They can let you know if it is necessary for an officer to be present.
4. Get the names, phone numbers, addresses and email addresses of all occupants and witnesses.
5. If you can, take photos of the accident scene and all vehicles involved.
6. Get the insurance company name, policy number and phone number for all drivers involved in the accident.
7. If emergency services are called to the scene, record the police report number, phone number, officer name and badge number, and any other information that could be relevant.
8. Call Whittel & Melton at 352-726-0078 or contact us online.

If you have been injured in a wrong-way accident in Inverness, Crystal River, Beverly Hills, Lecanto, Homosassa, Dunnellon, Hernando, Sugarmill Woods, Citrus Springs or Floral City, it is best to consult with a Citrus County Auto Accident Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton who can advise you of your rights.

Those injured by a negligent wrong-way driver may be entitled to receive compensation for damages. In the event that a loved one has died in one of these accidents, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver. We can help you through the legal process and fight to get you the full and fair compensation that you deserve. For a free consultation, call us today at 352-726-0078 or contact us online.