Car Accidents Caused by Wrong-Way Drivers in Charlotte

Wrong-way car accidents in North Carolina are serious, and they are often fatal. When a driver starts driving toward oncoming traffic, there is little to protect innocent drivers. Most drivers cannot swerve to avoid a head-on collision. If they do swerve out of the way, they risk colliding with another driver and causing a multi-vehicle collision. Wrong-way head-on car accidents are among the most terrifying types of car accidents and often result in the most severe and catastrophic injuries. Unfortunately, wrong-way car accidents do happen in Charlotte, often because of drunk or drugged driving.

According to the Department of Transportation, wrong-way car accidents cause hundreds of deaths in the United States every year. Typically, between 300 and 400 deaths are linked to wrong-way car accidents every year. Although wrong-way car accidents are rare compared to other types of accidents, they are exceedingly dangerous. Many wrong-way car accidents are fatal, and this fact has remained unchanged despite advancements to vehicle safety technology.

Majority of wrong-way car accidents occur at night, on the weekends, and in lanes closest to the median. Over 60% of wrong-way collisions involve instances of driving while intoxicated. When drivers are drunk or using illicit drugs, they are less likely to recognize that they are in fact driving in the wrong direction. Wrong-way car accidents are also common among elderly individuals who have slow reaction times, disorientation, or age-induced dementia.

One of the most serious types of wrong-way car accidents involve a driver traveling the wrong way on a high-speed, divided highway. In this type of scenario, innocent drivers do not have a way to avoid a collision with a wrong-way driver because all the traffic in the other lanes are full of cars, and there is nowhere to veer away from the wrong-way driver.

Unfortunately, the majority of wrong-way car accidents are entirely preventable. Even when the at-fault driver is not under the Influence, there is usually some other type of reckless or negligent behavior to blame for him or her driving on the wrong side of the road. Preventable wrong-way car accidents include all of the following scenarios:

• Impaired driving due to drug use, alcohol intoxication, or a combination of both
• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Driver fatigue
• Unlicensed or unfit drivers
• Inadequate roadway lighting
• Confusion or inadequate traffic control devices or traffic signage
• Poor highway interchange design

Wrong-way car accidents are some of the most deadly types of car accidents. Most wrong-way car accidents are head-on collisions. When victims are subjected to the force of a car colliding with them head-on, they often suffer deadly internal organ damage and brain injuries. Many wrong-way car accidents are fatal because the victims cannot recover from the devastating injuries caused by a head-on collision. The following injuries are also common in wrong-way car accidents:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Severe burns
• Limb loss
• Broken bones
• Organ damage

Severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, often require ongoing medical care. Assisted living facilities and in-home nursing are expensive, and pursuing a personal injury lawsuit could help you and your loved ones pay for your care. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we have experienced lawyers to help you value your claim so we can advocate for you to recover the amount of compensation you deserve.

Wrong-way car accidents are devastating. If you have become seriously injured or lost a loved one in a wrong-way car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. One of the best things you can do is consult with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will be able to investigate your case and advise you on a potential legal claim. Recovering compensation through a personal injury lawsuit could help you and your family financially.

The sooner you speak to an experienced car accident lawyer about your claim, the better. You have a limited amount of time to bring a personal injury claim in North Carolina, and it is crucial that your lawyer begins investigating your claim and gathering evidence. Contact the skilled car accident lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule your free initial consultation.