Are you looking for information to understand what a wrong-way accident is and who may be at-fault? Bautista Leroy LLC can provide you with details. Our firm proudly serves clients throughout Southern Illinois and the greater St. Louis area. Our attorneys specialize in medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, personal injury, sexual abuse/assault cases and railroad crossing litigation. We believe that the best legal representation comes from an attorney who focuses on these fields.

This article will discuss the definition of a wrong-way accident and explain what collisions may result from it and who might be responsible. 

What Is A Wrong-Way Accident?

When a vehicle travels in the opposite direction of traffic flow and resulted in a complete disaster, it is called a wrong-way accident. This could happen in an entry ramp, a one-directional street or even a divided expressway. These accidents can result in severe injuries and can even be fatal. Here are the common causes of wrong-way accidents:

• Driver impairment
• Distracted driving
• Poor visibility
• Inadequate signage
• Medical emergencies

What Kinds Of Collisions Can Happen?

Being in the wrong-way can cause many accidents. Depending on many circumstances such as speed, road condition or vehicle's state, many types of crashes can happen, including:

• Head-on collisions
• Sideswipe collisions
• Multiple-vehicle pileups
• Run-off-road accidents

Who Is At Fault In A Wrong-Way Driver Accident?

You might think that determining who is at-fault in a wrong-way accident could be very simple; however, this is not always the case. Typically, the motorist who is driving the wrong-way could be held responsible for the accident, but there are situations in which multiple parties could also be at-fault, including:

• Bars or establishments
• Government entities
• Vehicle manufacturers

Why Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney Is Beneficial?

Handling a claim on your own after a wrong-way accident can be challenging, because you may still be recovering from your injuries and dealing with insurance companies and other parties' legal teams is never easy. A personal injury attorney can handle these burdens and bring many advantages:

• In-depth investigation
• Negotiation with insurers
• Accurate valuation of damages
• Court representation

When Is The Time To Hire An Attorney?

Early involvement of a legal professional can strengthen your claim because they can protect evidence, meet filing deadlines and guide you so you do not make costly mistakes.

Here are the signs that you should work with an attorney immediately:

• You are enduring severe injuries or disability
• Liability is still not clear 
• The insurance company delays or denies your compensation claim
• The at-fault motorist does not have insurance or is underinsured
• The crash resulted in death

What Criteria Should I Follow To Choose A Good Attorney?

A capable personal injury attorney can have a great impact on your claim, so choosing the right one is very important. Here are the things you must consider when choosing an attorney:

• An attorney must be specialized in personal injury law and have years of experience handling vehicle accident cases.
• Check the background of an attorney, such as their track record of successfully handling complex accident cases.
• An attorney who takes a client-centric approach is the best choice because that means they will provide you with information and legal options that are best for your claim.

Why Choose Bautista LeRoy LLC?

The legal team of Bautista Leroy Law Firm is committed to helping injured individuals with their claim to secure them the maximum compensation so that they can recover quickly. We have years of expertise handling wrongful death claims and catastrophic injury claims that are caused by a traffic accident. Our firm's case results can give you peace of mind that a capable legal professional is representing your claim.

Our attorneys provide personalized services, which means from day one, we will provide you with the legal options that are best for your situation, give you clear answers to your concerns and keep you updated about the status of your case. We also work on contingency, so you will not pay us unless we recover on your behalf.

Suggested Action Steps

After you get caught in a difficult result of a wrong-way accident, take action immediately and follow these simple procedures:

• Call emergency services
• Preserve evidence
• Collect witness information
• Consult a personal injury attorney 
• Avoid quick settlement offers
• Keep notes of all expenses

Wrong-way accident can leave anyone with severe injuries and significant damage. With the right legal guidance, you can seek justice and recover from financial problems that the accident has caused you. A personal injury attorney can help determine the at-fault party and hold them responsible; they can also assist you in the difficult process of an insurance claim so that you can recover fully from a wrong-way accident. Contact us today at 833-381-6589 or send us an email on our Contact Page. Serving St. Louis and the surrounding areas of Boone County and Benton County.