Drivers who travel in the wrong direction can cause serious accidents. The injuries sustained are often severe and potentially life-threatening. If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a wrong-way driver, you may be able to pursue accident benefits or take legal action against the negligent driver.
A Windsor-based car accident lawyer is ready to review your situation and discuss your potential legal options during a free consultation. There is no obligation after this initial meeting to hire our firm. If your claim has merit and you decide to move forward, there are also no upfront fees for our services.
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Causes of Wrong-Way Driving Accidents
Wrong-way driving accidents on any street or highway can cause significant damage to property and serious injuries to other drivers. The majority of these accidents are often head-on and fatal.
Ontario drivers who go the wrong way on a one-way road can be fined, receive a citation, and have demerit points added to their driving record in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act Section 153.
Multiple factors can contribute to these accidents. The most common include:
- Most wrong-way driving accidents happen at night due to low visibility. Drivers at this time are more likely to be fatigued and not paying close attention to road signs.
- Wrong-way drivers are usually impaired. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the likelihood of traveling against traffic and thus causing an accident.
- These accidents often involve drivers entering one-way on-ramps or streets
- Poorly marked road signs and construction can confuse drivers and cause them to travel on the wrong highway ramp or turn onto a one-way street by mistake.
- Drivers eating, texting, or otherwise distracted can lose focus and veer into the opposite lane.
What If I Am Hit by a Wrong-Way Driver?
Taking certain immediate steps after an accident may help to prevent further injury and could strengthen any future legal action you take against a wrong-way driver.
Get Off the Road and Call 9-1-1
Some injuries or property damage to your car may make it impossible to move. If you are able to without causing yourself harm, get off the road as safely as you can. Call 9-1-1 and wait for the police to arrive. A police report can help prove the cause of the accident and show the other driver’s negligence.
Be Examined By a Doctor
Most accident victims require medical care right away. Even if you believe you were not hurt, have a doctor assess you for injuries. You may have a hidden brain injury that can worsen over time if undetected and untreated. Having a medical record on file can also help you directly connect the accident to the injuries you sustained.
Document Every Detail
The police officer at the scene will gather contact details and statements from all drivers involved. However, it is your responsibility to get the other driver’s personal and insurance information. If it is possible, take pictures of the accident, your visible injuries, any damage to your car and other property.
Injuries Resulting from a Wrong-Way Driving Accident
The injuries sustained from a wrong-way driving accident can range in severity and could include:
- Whiplash
- Broken or fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
Aside from physical harm, victims may also experience damaging psychological effects from the accident. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental anguish, such as depression and anxiety, could result in accident victims being unable to get back to work or behind the wheel of a car.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Damages
If your injuries have resulted in financial, physical and/or emotional losses caused by a wrong-way driver, an experienced lawyer at our firm may be able to help you pursue legal action.
Depending on your particular circumstances and in accordance with Ontario’s Negligence Act, you may be eligible to recover damages for the following costs:
- Medical-related expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Our firm knows what it takes to prove negligence in wrong-way driving accidents. If you have a valid case, we are prepared to show that the other driver owed you a duty of care on the roadway, this duty was breached in some way and this breach directly caused your injuries and damages.
Get Experienced Legal Help Today
Wrong-way driving accidents are often some of the most serious and entirely preventable. Our lawyers at Greg Monforton and Partners have 40 decades of experience handling car accident cases. To date, we have obtained millions of in compensation on behalf of our clients throughout the province.
Schedule a risk-free, zero-obligation consultation to get started. There are no costs to talk to a lawyer about your potential case, no upfront fees to retain our services, and no fees while we work on a case.
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