Arizona Wrong Way Accident Attorneys

No matter how hard one tries to be a defensive driver, there are some mistakes other drivers make that are almost impossible to avoid. Getting rear-ended is a common example of an accident that is almost always the rear driver’s fault, with little fault apportioned to the front driver. Another example of an accident that is difficult for the victim to avoid is when the other driver is traveling the wrong way on a road. If the road isn’t wide enough to avoid a wrong-way driver or the driver traveling the right way doesn’t react in time, this can cause an accident resulting in serious bodily injury and property damage. There is also a high probability of other factors being involved, such as distraction from cell phone use or intoxication. If you’ve been injured by a wrong-way driver in Arizona, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Our personal injury attorneys in Arizona will fight to obtain an award that fairly represents what a wrong-way driver took from you. We offer competitive rates and we don’t get paid until we win you money. Learn more with your free consultation today at 480-833-8000 to get started.

Wrong-way accidents are an uncommon occurrence, but are still worth discussing because of the serious consequences they can bring. They account for 0.06% of all traffic collisions in Arizona, or 136 total crashes in 2024. However, of those crashes, approximately 10% had at least one fatality. Wrong-way accidents can also cause serious injuries like broken bones, neck and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and internal injuries. These types of injuries can evolve into far worse problems if medical attention isn’t sought promptly. The accident victim might not feel pain from them immediately, especially if they experienced a rush of adrenaline from the collision. If you’ve been in any type of traffic collision in Arizona, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible after the accident if you don’t go to the emergency room or urgent care straight from the scene.

Because wrong-way accidents can result in serious injuries or death, accident victims often need more specialized and prolonged medical care. For some, symptoms resolve and treatment concludes within several weeks or months. For others, treatment could continue for several years or the rest of the accident victim’s life. Because the plaintiff only has one chance to pursue compensation for their damages, they must calculate their future damages in advance. The damages a plaintiff injured in a wrong-way accident should consider pursuing in an injury claim include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Temporary or permanent disfigurement or disability
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Loss of financial support
• Emotional distress
• Funeral expenses
• Wrongful death

Wrong-way accidents have a higher fatality rate than many other types of traffic collisions. When someone dies from their injuries from a traffic accident, it becomes a much more complex and serious legal matter. A wrongful death claim will typically max out the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Wrongful death can encompass other damages, like emotional suffering of the victim’s loved ones, burial expenses, and more. If the accident victim was the family’s breadwinner, they can demand the income that family member would have brought in during their lifetime in their claim. As one can imagine, this brings the value of these claims quite high, and insurance companies will expend more resources defending them. That’s why if you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a traffic collision, you should retain an experienced attorney for your claim. Our Arizona personal injury team knows how to get our clients the most for their serious accident claims. Schedule your free consultation by phone today at 480-833-8000.

A collision may be inevitable when another driver is traveling the wrong way on a road in your direction. But there are steps that you can take- even as a driver traveling in the correct direction- to reduce the risk and severity of injury in a wrong-way collision.

• Travel in the right lane when there are at least two lanes available: Most wrong-way collisions occur when the vehicle traveling in the correct direction is in the left lane. If a right lane farther from the center line is available, it can help reduce the risk of a wrong-way collision.
• Pay attention and obey traffic signals: Even when one driver does something egregious, like driving down the wrong side of a road, damages can be reduced if the other driver also failed to obey traffic signals or avoid the accident or mitigate the damage, if possible. If you are paying attention to the road, as opposed to your music, phone, or other potential distractions in your vehicle, you will have more time to react if you ever see a wrong-way driver coming towards you.
• Try to get the driver’s attention if you see a wrong-way driver: There is a chance a driver traveling the wrong way is intoxicated or otherwise incapacitated. However, it can still help reduce injuries and damages to alert them of an impending crash. Flash your brights, honk your horn, and do whatever you can to get a wrong-way driver’s attention before a collision. This can also alert drivers behind you that there is an upcoming hazard that they need to try to avoid. At the same time, you should also do whatever possible to avoid impact with the other driver if the road allows for it.
• Report the wrong-way driver to the police if you avoid the collision: Wrong-way collisions are frequently caused by drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. If you avoid a collision with a wrong-way driver, you should report it to the police when it is safe to do so, in case they may be able to save someone else from being in an accident with that driver.

Wrong-way accidents, while rare, often have life-changing impact on everyone involved. These accidents can result in lifelong injuries, paralysis or disability, scars and disfigurement, or even death. When the consequences of an accident are this severe, it’s best to trust the resulting claim with an experienced injury firm. Accident lawyers know how to calculate damages and present them in a convincing way to reduce how much negotiation needs to be done to reach a fair settlement. If the other party is uncooperative, it’s also important to have an attorney who is comfortable before a jury and judge in a courtroom. Our lawyers are passionate about every aspect of our clients’ claims, from demand letter, to negotiation, to trial if necessary. We handle the hard parts of an injury claim so you can focus on getting back to your regular life. Your first call after a wrong-way accident in Arizona should be to a medical professional to be assessed and treated for your injuries. Your next should be to an experienced Arizona injury attorney who will take the reins and make sure nothing happens that reduces your claim’s value. Schedule your free consultation with our firm today or calling 480-833-8000.