What Can I Do if I Was in a Wrong Way Car Accident in Atlanta, GA?

Over the past 10 years, the frequency of wrong-way traffic accidents nationwide has risen significantly. This is particularly disturbing because traffic collisions involving vehicles going the wrong way tend to be head-on, making them more serious and more likely to result in severe injury or death. The Georgia Department of Transportation is always looking into ways to prevent many kinds of traffic accidents, including wrong way car accidents, but these traffic collisions continue to happen at a rate that is alarming. If yourself or a loved one has been injured in a wrong way car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, you should speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta like the staff here at John B. Jackson. We can help you recover fair and just compensation for your medical bills, car repairs, and other damages and losses.

Common Causes of Wrong Way Car Accidents in Atlanta, GA

Wrong-way traffic collisions usually result in serious, head-on collisions, or at best opposite-direction sideswipe accidents, either of which can have potentially devastating consequences. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, as many as 400 people every year are killed in wrong way car accidents. These traffic accidents are more likely, and more serious when visibility is poor, when the driver of one or both cars is distracted, or when intoxication is a factor. Wrong-way traffic collisions also frequently include one or more of the following factors:

  • Foliage that is overgrown
  • Inadequate warning signage
  • Distracted driving
  • Poor lighting of the scene
  • Improper road markings
  • Visual impairments

While certainly some of these factors are evidence of negligence or recklessness on the part of one or more drivers, others are the result of negligence by the local government or body responsible for the upkeep of the roads. By failing to put up adequate signage, light a confusing turn sufficiently at night, or trim back overgrowth obstructing visibility, the government can cause a driver to miss important information. As such, this government may be held liable for damages incurred during the traffic collision. If you have been injured in a wrong way car accident in Atlanta Georgia and you believe the government may bear some of the responsibility, don’t take on the city, county, or state alone – contact the law offices of John B. Jackson today.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in Wrong Way Car Accidents?

No matter whether your traffic collision was caused by an impaired driver, someone driving while tired, a distracted driver, or improper signage, the consequences of a wrong way car accident can be nothing short of devastating. This is in large part due to the fact that traffic accidents in which one car is going the wrong way often happen at high speeds. As such, other drivers are given only a brief window of time to get out of the way. Wrong way car accidents are also more prevalent in rural areas, typically increasing the time for emergency personnel to respond. Because of the unique situations arising with wrong way car accidents in Atlanta, catastrophic injuries are more likely in these kinds of traffic accidents. Some common serious injuries include:

  • Brain injury
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Severe cuts and lacerations
  • Broken, crushed, or shattered bone
  • Burns due to engine fired and other factors

Clearly, these injuries are not only painful, but also very expensive to treat, and potentially life-altering. In addition to scarring and physical pain, emotional trauma is also common following any kind of traffic collision. Whatever the nature and extent of your injuries, collecting compensation from the parties responsible for your traffic accident in Atlanta is critical in ensuring your ability to recover and rebuild your life.

Consult with an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer About Your Wrong Way Car Accident

Whether your wrong way car accident was caused by the negligence of a driver on the road, the government for not properly maintaining safe road conditions, or a combination of both factors, you should consult with an experienced car accident lawyer right away. If you live in or around Atlanta, Georgia and have been injured in a traffic collision involving a vehicle going the wrong way, the car accident attorneys at the law offices of John B. Jackson are ready to help you. We will provide you with a free consultation, examine the details of your case, and advise you as to the value of your claim and best route forward to recover the maximum possible compensation.