Wrong-Way Driving Accidents

Car accidents are scary, no matter how they happen. But imagine you’re traveling down the road when you realize that there’s a car driving the wrong way in your lane — and you are both headed straight for a collision.

Florida follows a no-fault system, meaning that your car insurance company will pay for your medical expenses regardless of who was at fault for your accident. However, if you were clearly not at fault (as in the case of a wrong-way driver), you might be able to recover additional damages in a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the seriousness of your injuries. Of course, the only way to determine whether you have a viable personal injury lawsuit is to consult with an experienced attorney.

Recent Wrong-Way Accidents

Wrong-way accidents are more common than you might think. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 1 percent of traffic fatalities, or about 300 to 400 a year, are caused by wrong-way driving (a vehicle traveling in a direction opposing the legal flow of traffic). That doesn’t account for the the number of injuries that don’t result in death. Here are three recent wrong-way driving examples:

In June, the family of a 91-year-old woman who was killed after a driver traveling the wrong way on I-95 struck her vehicle filed a wrongful death lawsuit. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jennifer Levin was driving north in the southbound lanes of I-95 when she caused the accident. She was also driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol and was charged with DUI manslaughter. This was not the first time that Levin had been charged with driving the wrong way.

Also in June, a 29-year-old man driving north in the southbound lanes of I-75 collided with a tractor-trailer driving in the right direction. According to the Florida Highway Patrol Rogelio Ramirez was driving while under the influence when he struck the tractor-trailer. Luckily the truck driver was not injured, but Ramirez was taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries. If the truck driver later discovers that he sustained an injury during the accident, he might be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the nature of the injury.

On the Fourth of July, a wrong-way driver ran a sheriff’s deputy off the road before striking another vehicle head-on. The accident occurred in Ridge Manor, just north of Tampa. Both drivers died at the scene. The family of the woman who was killed by the wrong-way driver may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the family of the man who caused the accident.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident involving a wrong way driver, contact a Tampa personal injury attorney at The Pendas Law Firm today for a free consultation.You might be entitled to bring a personal injury lawsuit. Our experienced attorneys will help you receive the compensation that you deserve.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Bradenton areas.

Resources:

safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/other_topics/wwd/

usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2017-07-04/2-die-in-wrong-way-crash-on-florida-highway

wfla.com/2017/06/17/fhp-drunk-driver-seriously-injured-after-driving-wrong-way-on-i-75-in-hillsborough-co/

lawfirmnewswire.com/2017/06/florida-wrongful-death-lawsuit-filed-over-wrong-way-crash/

By Pendas Law Firm | Posted on July 29, 2017

We Get Results

Auto accident involving defective airbag

$1,035,200.00

Death resulting from hospital turning away patient

$600,000.00

Auto accident involving tractor trailer

$550,000.00

Auto accident involving a work vehicle

$345,000.00

Slip and fall at a hotel bathroom

$340,000.00

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