Panama City Wrong-Way Driving Accident Lawyers
If you have been involved in an accident caused by a car driving the wrong way, you may be eligible for compensation. Drivers have a responsibility to ensure that they stay in the correct lane. When they veer into oncoming traffic, thereby endangering others’ safety, they can and should be held accountable.
For almost three decades, the Panama City car accident attorneys at The Bruner Law Firm have helped victims make the financial recovery they need. We understand how devastating wrong-way driving accidents can be, and we treat our clients with the utmost care and compassion. Our experienced wrong-way accident attorneys also know how to deal with difficult insurance companies – we know how to gather crucial evidence, build a strong case on your behalf, and negotiate assertively for the full financial award you deserve.
If you are facing a stack of bills for a wrong-way driving accident that wasn’t your fault, contact a lawyer today. You shouldn’t have to foot those bills, and with the help of The Bruner Law Firm, you also won’t have to take on any additional costs. Call (850) 769-9292 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
Do I Need a Wrong-Way Driving Lawyer?
Wrong-way driving crashes are relatively rare, but when they do happen, they are often very serious. These accidents usually involve a high-impact collision that can inflict critical injuries as well as extensive car damage. As a result, a long list of expenses is likely to result from a wrong-way driving accident.
Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will at least cover the first $10,000 of your medical costs. Unfortunately, that money can get used up very quickly in the early phases of your recovery. In Florida, if you suffered an injury that qualifies as serious by state law, you can pursue an injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. However, insurance providers may resist providing full coverage for all of your expenses. Even if it is clear that the other driver is at fault, that person’s insurance company might do its very best to avoid financial liability for the accident.
In the event that you find yourself facing an unyielding insurance provider, an experienced wrong-way driving lawyer can help. You should not have to foot the bill for a horrific accident you didn’t cause, and you also shouldn’t have to deal with the potential greed of a large insurance company. A lawyer will be well-versed in the rules and laws that govern insurance policies and wrong-way accidents, and will be comfortable going head-to-head with a powerful company.
Why Choose The Bruner Law Firm to Handle My Case?
The Bruner Law Firm is wholly dedicated to helping accident victims in Panama City and the neighboring communities. Since 1992, our attorneys have pursued maximum compensation, totaling many millions of dollars for countless clients.
We are a close-knit family law firm, and we are tied intimately to the Panama City and Fort Walton Beach Community. We take a compassionate, client-centered approach to our work. This approach – and the concrete results that it yields – is reflected in the many glowing testimonials that past clients have given.
With The Bruner Law Firm, you can be confident that you are in good hands during this difficult time. Your skilled wrong-way driving attorney will carefully investigate your accident and aggressively pursue fair compensation – and if we don’t earn that compensation, we don’t get paid. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you only have to pay if and when we earn your compensation.
Causes of Wrong-Way Driving Accidents
There are various possible causes of wrong-way driving accidents. That said, some stand out as the most common and likely causes of these often-deadly collisions. Here are some of the top causes of wrong-way driving accidents:
Alcohol: Drinking and driving is one of the most common factors in wrong-way driving accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board has found that approximately 60 percent of wrong-way drivers showed signs of alcohol impairment at the time of their accidents. Drunk or tipsy drivers may swerve into the wrong lane, accidentally enter an exit ramp, or even nod off and drift into oncoming traffic.
Drowsiness: The NTSB has also found that nearly 80 percent of wrong-way collisions happen between the hours of 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. This time is not only when drivers are most likely to be drunk, but also when they are most likely to be drowsy. Drowsiness sometimes goes hand-in-hand with drinking alcohol, but sober drivers can also find themselves fighting sleepiness on the road. Drivers who have driven long, monotonous days on the highway are often at a higher risk of becoming drowsy and drifting into the wrong lane.
Distraction: Sometimes, a simple distraction can be the culprit for a wrong-way crash. For example, it can be all too easy to drift into the wrong lane while looking down to check a text. Searching for an item can be another risky, distracting maneuver, especially if your hand on the wheel causes an accidental swerve as you reach for it. Ultimately, even just a few moments of distraction can be enough for a driver to wind up in oncoming traffic.
Medical emergency: In other cases, a wrong-way driving accident is all but unavoidable. This may be the case if a driver has a sudden medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke, while on the road. This driver may lose control of their vehicle and subsequently swerve into the wrong lane.
Types of Compensation for a Wrong-Way Driving Accident
If you have been involved in an accident that involved another vehicle driving the wrong way, there are different forms of compensation you may be eligible for. Here are some of the types of compensation you may be able to earn for your accident:
Medical expenses: You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills you have been forced to pay as a result of your accident. This could include ambulance expenses, ER visits, extended hospital stays, surgery costs, and more.
Property damage: If you have been in a wrong-way driving accident, it’s likely that your car was seriously damaged, if not totaled. You may be eligible for compensation to cover replacement or repairs for your car and other property that was damaged.
Lost wages: Depending on the extent of your injuries, it is possible that you had to miss many days, weeks, or months of work to recover from your accident. You also may have had to use sick days or PTO that you otherwise wouldn’t have used. You can pursue monetary compensation for this lost time.
Loss of earning capacity: Unfortunately, some accident victims suffer long-term injuries that limit their working ability. If you have incurred such an injury and stand to lose future pay, as a result, you may be able to earn compensation for this loss.
Pain and suffering: Wrong-way driving accidents are often traumatic experiences, and can inflict long-lasting mental anguish on those involved. If you are subject to this kind of pain and suffering due to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
Wrongful death: If, devastatingly, your loved one dies due to the wrong-way driving of someone else, you should not have to pay any resulting expenses. Wrongful death compensation may cover the expenses of a funeral, burial, and other necessary costs.
FAQ’s About Wrong-Way Driving
We understand that you may have many questions about your wrong-way driving case. Below, we have answered some common questions that we often hear from our clients.
What should I do right after a wrong-way driving accident?
Wrong-way driving accidents can inflict serious bodily injuries, so it is important to call for medical assistance right away. Even if you cannot see any visible injuries, it is possible that you have been hurt, and you should get a professional’s opinion. You should also contact the authorities to report the accident. In addition, take down the other driver’s contact, insurance, and license information for future reference, as well as the contact information of any witnesses. Lastly, if you’re able to, document the scene of the accident by taking photos.
I know that Florida is a “no-fault” state – what does that mean?
Contrary to what the term might suggest, “no-fault” does not mean that no fault can be assigned for a car accident. Rather, as a “no-fault” state, Florida requires all resident drivers to carry a certain amount of personal injury protection (or PIP) through their insurance providers. Florida drivers must have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP. While PIP coverage can be very helpful in the immediate aftermath of an accident, the $10,000 can be quickly exhausted to pay preliminary medical bills. If your injury meets Florida’s threshold as a serious or permanent injury, you’ll be able to pursue an injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This is where it may become important to determine fault for the accident.
How is fault determined in a wrong-way driving case?
Because wrong-way driving accidents involve one driver being in the wrong lane, it can be easier to determine fault in these cases than in many other types of car accidents. That said, fully determining fault in these cases is not necessarily a slam-dunk against the wrong-way driver. For instance, it is possible that another crash in the correct lane forced the driver into oncoming traffic. In this scenario, it may become more difficult to find who shares what percentage of the blame for the accident. A lawyer can investigate what happened to help determine the root cause and fault for the accident.
Contact The Bruner Law Firm Today
Do not hesitate to seek legal help following your wrong-way driving accident. A skilled car accident attorney at The Bruner Law Firm can talk you through your options and help you determine your next steps toward recovery.
If you decide to work with us, we will fight to secure maximum compensation for the harm you have suffered. Furthermore, you will not have to take on any additional financial burden during this challenging time – we only get paid if we win your case. Call (850) 769-9292 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
