Northern California Wrong-Way Collision Attorneys

Drivers traveling the wrong direction on a road or highway can cause a catastrophic accident. These are among the deadliest collisions that can happen. The risk of injuries and fatalities is high for any driver or passenger involved in these ill-fated meetings.

The Northern California car accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm understand the devastating consequences of a wrong-way crash and know how to hold the liable party accountable for the suffering you were forced to endure. With over 25 years of experience in these types of accidents, we can fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

The Northern California wrong-way collision attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm have seen the physical and emotional harm caused by car accidents. Another driver’s negligent or careless actions led to your injuries or the death of a loved one, and you deserve to hold the at-fault party accountable for what they’ve done. They should provide the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses and other costs that result from the crash.

Call us at (916) 999-9000 right now for a free consultation and learn more about our legal services.

Common Causes of Wrong-Way Car Accidents

Wrong-way accidents occur when a motorist travels the wrong direction in a lane of traffic. Typically, driver error plays a part in a collision like this. They either don’t look at posted traffic signs or become distracted and unknowingly turn down a one-way street. Whatever the cause of a wrong-way collision, the injured victims usually end up paying the price.

The most common factors that contribute to a wrong-way car accident are:

Disobeying traffic signs and signals – Some drivers try to take a shortcut or ignore a sign prohibiting someone from proceeding down a one-way road. This behavior not only violates traffic laws but also puts other people at risk of harm.
Distracted driving – Wrong-way crashes aren’t always the result of using the wrong lane. Sometimes, a driver becomes distracted and drifts into oncoming traffic. Operating a vehicle requires that a driver be focused on the task at hand. A split-second moment of inattention can cause a deadly accident.
Driving under the influence – When alcohol or drugs impair someone’s driving abilities, they may find it challenging to stay in the correct lane or follow signs and signals properly. An impaired person’s mental and physical faculties aren’t as they should be, preventing them from noticing if their car has turned into or drifted into the wrong lane.
Unsafe passing – Passing someone in a no-passing zone, around a sharp turn, or in dangerous conditions could lead to a vehicle on the wrong side of the road, causing a collision. Motorists must take great care in only passing other cars when there’s enough space and time to proceed.
Reckless behavior – Merging in and out of traffic, speeding, and driving too fast for conditions are all examples of reckless driving that could cause an accident. When someone doesn’t take the necessary safety precautions, they could end up on a collision course with an oncoming motorist.

This isn’t a complete list of all the causes of wrong-way accidents. If you were involved in any of these or other types of collisions, Tiemann Law Firm can review the facts of your case to determine if the other driver should be held liable. You can depend on our experienced and dedicated Northern California wrong-way collision attorneys to investigate the circumstances of the accident and gather all available evidence that proves someone else was at fault for your injuries.

Injuries Commonly Associated With Wrong-Way Collisions

Wrong-way car accidents are by far one of the most deadly types of accident occurring on Northern California roadways. For victims lucky enough to survive, the journey to recovery can be difficult. The injuries most commonly caused by wrong-way collisions are:

Traumatic brain injury
Broken bones
Crush injuries
Loss of limb
Paralysis
Facial disfigurement
Amputation
Spinal cord injuries
Internal damage
Psychological trauma
Physical or mental disability

For some people, healing the debilitating injuries following a car crash can seem like an uphill battle with no end in sight. They must endure physical therapy, ongoing pain, surgery, and other challenges. If their injuries result in permanent disability, they might not be able to return to their job or care for their family.

At Tiemann Law Firm, our Northern California wrong-way collision attorneys are ready to take on your case and fight tirelessly for the justice you deserve.

Compensation Available After A Car Accident

California’s fault system could determine whether the other driver assumes financial responsibility for the losses you suffered in the car crash. When someone causes an accident, they should be held liable for the other driver’s or passenger’s injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Auto insurance becomes a crucial piece of a personal injury case.

All drivers must carry liability insurance with minimum coverage amounts to compensate for an accident victim’s losses. If you can prove fault, you might be entitled to a settlement that covers:

Medical expenses
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Lost enjoyment of life
Physical impairment or disfigurement
Emotional distress
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity

If the insurance company provides a low settlement offer or denies your claim, you could move forward with a lawsuit. California law establishes a two-year statute of limitations for car accident cases. That means you have two years from the date of the wrong-way collision to sue the other driver for compensation. Once the deadline passes, you likely won’t have the opportunity to hold them accountable for their misconduct in court.

What Is Pure Comparative Negligence?

Under normal circumstances, if the at-fault driver was 100% to blame for the accident, you could pursue the total amount of available compensation. However, if a jury determines your actions partially contributed to your injuries, your portion of responsibility for the wreck could diminish the financial award you’re entitled to collect.

Pure comparative negligence reduces an accident victim’s losses by the percentage of fault they share. A jury will review the facts of the case and assign liability to every driver involved. If your losses total $100,000, but you were 20% at fault, you could only seek up to $80,000 in compensation. In California, this law stands even if you were 99% responsible for the crash. In that case, you could only recover 1% of the available compensation.

What To Do if the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance

You may encounter a situation where the other motorist doesn’t carry liability insurance. If that happens, you should review your auto insurance policy to determine if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM). UM insurance is optional in California, but all insurers must offer it to their policyholders. UM insurance can be used when the person that causes an accident doesn’t have liability coverage or high enough limits to cover the injured victim’s total losses.

Filing a UM claim could result in a settlement for:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering

Your Northern California wrong-way collision attorney from Tiemann Law Firm can request copies of auto insurance policies from all parties involved and determine your options for seeking a monetary award. We know it’s crucial that you’re able to cover your past and future losses, so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for anything. We will work hard to maximize the value of your case so you receive the fair compensation you need and deserve.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If you lost a loved one in a wrong-way car accident, you might be entitled to compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit. California statute § 377.60 defines wrongful death as the neglect or wrongful act that causes another person’s death.

Specific family members are allowed to pursue this type of case to recover compensation for their losses. They are:

Surviving spouse or domestic partner
Surviving children
Surviving grandchildren

If there aren’t any surviving relatives, a person entitled to the deceased’s property through intestate succession may file a lawsuit. That could be a parent, sibling, or dependent living with the person who died at the time of the accident.

The losses you can pursue in a wrongful death claim include the economic impact of your loved one’s death and the emotional suffering you and your family were forced to endure. They include:

Loss of companionship, assistance, love, protection, comfort, care, society, moral support, and affection
Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of the deceased’s guidance
Financial support your relative would have provided if they survived
The reasonable value of lost household services
Loss of intimacy by the spouse or partner
Loss of gifts or benefits the deceased would have provided if they were still alive

California has a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits. The timeframe begins on the date your loved one died. If you don’t initiate your case before the two years are up, you could lose your right to compensation through the court system.

Speak To A Qualified Northern California Wrong-Way Collision Attorney Today

Tiemann Law Firm will go to battle for you against the negligent driver who caused your injuries. We know you’ve been suffering through your recovery, and we want to ensure that the legal process is as easy and efficient as possible. You can depend on our legal team to remain by your side until the very end to offer our support and guidance. You will have someone in your corner to advocate for your rights and fight for the full and fair compensation you need to heal.

Call us at (916) 999-9000 for a free case evaluation if you sustained injuries in a wrong-way collision in Northern California.