What happens when you’ve been involved in an accident with a wrong-way driver? Picture the scene; you’re driving along the highway and take a wrong turn on a road you’re unfamiliar with and suddenly find traffic heading straight in your direction. Wrong-way driving may seem like an obvious mistake to avoid but shockingly, in the US wrong-way drivers kill around 400 people each year, making up 1% of fatal traffic accidents. So what makes these seemingly obvious and avoidable accidents happen in the first place?
Our blog explores the reasons why these accidents can happen and which state in the US has the worst rates for wrong-way drivers as well as how to find a good accident lawyer for your wrong-way driving case.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been injured in an accident with wrong-way drivers. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor who can help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
What causes wrong-way drivers?
As with all traffic accidents, the reasons behind a wrong-way accident can vary in each case but many of these accidents are caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Driving on unknown highways or roads
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even medication
Wrong-way driving accidents seem to be largely avoidable to road users as there are visual signs to help us stay in our lanes but what happens if drivers miss those signs or aren’t concentrating? It might seem like a very small percentage of traffic accidents but surely wrong-way accidents are completely avoidable!
What lane do wrong way drivers tend to drive down?
There is a pattern of wrong-way drivers ending up in the wrong lane, which is nearly always the left lane! In fact, according to The National Transportation Safety Board, 7 out of 9 wrong-way accidents happened because a driver was going the wrong way in the left-hand lane. This is a surprisingly high number of drivers finding themselves head-on with the flow of traffic and there is one state in the US that sees a disproportionately high number of wrong-way drivers
How Many Wrong-way Driver Accidents Happen In Arizona
According to figures from Gutier, in 2019 the state of Arizona saw 1,088 wrong-way driving accidents alone, 100 more accidents than the previous year. So why are drivers in Arizona finding themselves down the wrong way? One of the key factors for these accidents happening is the time of day- wrong-way accidents typically happen after 6 pm at night. It’s important to be aware of wrong-way drivers and if you’re faced with a vehicle coming at you the wrong way, it’s best to pull over as soon as possible to avoid an accident.
Finding A Good Accident Lawyer For Your WWD case
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a wrong-way driver, you’ll want to find a professional attorney who has a lot of experience with this type of case. Look no further than our team of attorneys here in Arizona- the highest wrong-way driving state in the US! Our team has worked on a number of cases and would be more than happy to take on your case too.
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their personal injuries, including those from wrong-way drivers accidents in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you have been in a wrong-way driving accident, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
