Have You Been Injured in a Wrong Way Accident?
Driving in the Chicago area is intimidating enough without having to worry about one-way streets. A Chicago wrong-way accident lawyer knows that if a driver is not familiar with a certain part of the Windy City, it is all too easy to make a mistake. A wrong turn can lead to driving the wrong direction down a one-way road or highway.
When a driver is under the influence or not paying adequate attention, the chances of this type of mistake substantially increase. Wrong way drivers can cause devastating crashes. Unfortunately, motorists and passengers in this type of accident can suffer life-changing injuries.
Car accidents happen in many ways and when you least expect it. Anytime you are on the road, you are at risk of suffering injuries in a wrong way crash. The law firm of Abels & Annes helps accident victims who suffer preventable injuries because of another driver’s negligence. We handle your legal claim so you can focus on your treatment and recovery from your injuries. If you would like to discuss your rights after any type of collision, call 312-924-7575 or contact our office today.
What Are the Causes of Wrong Way Accidents?
Drivers may find themselves heading the wrong way down a street for a variety of reasons. Drivers who are unfamiliar with a certain neighborhood may not be aware that a certain street is one-way. Or they may drive onto a street without seeing a one-way sign. Many wrong way drivers are simply not paying attention or may not be able to fully focus on the road. Some major causes of wrong-way driving include the following:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- A driver unfamiliar with the area
- Drivers purposely drive the wrong way as a shortcut
No matter why a driver heads the wrong way, doing so is incredibly dangerous. This is especially true on an expressway or interstate with high speed limits.
Wrong-way accidents are often head-on collisions. These crashes have double the force of impact than with a stationary object, like a stopped vehicle. The impact can be devastating, making head-on collisions some of the deadliest of all motor vehicle accidents.
There is no excuse for a distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent driver who causes a head-on collision. If you suffered injuries, contact a wrong way accident attorney in Chicago.
Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable
Victims of negligence on the road should not have to incur serious financial and non-economic losses. Instead, the negligent driver who was going the wrong way should be held responsible for all the resulting injuries and losses.
Your specific losses will depend on the type of injury you suffered, the severity of the injury, and how the injury affects your life. Even seemingly minor injuries can result in surprising costs. Some common losses in serious car accident cases include:
- Costs of medical treatment
- Estimated costs of expected future treatment
- Lost wages
- Estimated lost earnings in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injuries and impairments
If you have injuries from an accident, you do not want to risk losing the compensation you deserve by trying to handle a claim on your own. Or even worse, waiting too long to call a lawyer for help. Without a good law firm handling your case, you might not obtain the amount of compensation you deserve—and need—to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.
Injury Lawyers Handles Every Step of Your Accident Claim
The first step toward recovering compensation for injuries in a car accident is to contact a Chicago wrong-way crash attorney. He or she will file a claim with the insurance company of the negligent driver.
You may think that the insurance process will be a simple one because an insurer is supposed to cover the losses of accident victims. However, in reality, auto insurance companies seek to collect premiums while keeping payouts low. This, so they can increase their profits. Therefore, even if you have a valid claim, it can be challenging to receive the payment you deserve.
An insurance adjuster may have tactics to try to limit a settlement offer, which may include:
- Claim you were partially or totally liable for the crash
- Challenge whether your injuries were as severe as you claim
- Dispute whether all medical treatment or missed work was necessary
- Question whether all of your injuries were a result of the crash
- Make a lowball settlement offer when you need to pay medical bills
- Needlessly delay or wrongfully deny the claim
Low Ball Settlement Offers
Most initial insurance settlement offers are much less than a claimant deserves. However, many claimants who do not have a lawyer unknowingly accept the first offer. They do this not realizing they have other options.
Lowball offers usually require the victim to sign a release of claims. This prevents them from later filing any additional claims or from taking the matter to court. We have seen too many people lose out on important compensation to which they were entitled by law. All because they did not have a car accident lawyer representing them during negotiations with an insurer.
Our wrong way collision attorneys in Chicago review every settlement offer and determine whether it's fair. Also, we know how to negotiate to obtain a higher amount whenever possible.
We also can advise you when it may be time to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. Car accident litigation can be more complex than you may imagine, and it is critical to have a law firm with the right experience in court. This is especially true if you have suffered catastrophic injuries.
Overall, getting hit by a wrong way driver can be terrifying. It can cause significant financial and non-economic losses. If you were hit by a wrong way driver, you should not hesitate to exercise your legal rights.
Consult with a Chicago Wrong-Way Accident Lawyer
At the Chicago law firm of Abels & Annes, P.C., we handle many types of car accident cases. We dedicate ourselves to representing the rights of accident victims with serious injuries. Call 312-924-7575 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer today.