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Wrong-way car accidents are on the rise in Utah, pointing to the need for a lasting solution. In just the past year’s first quarter, these accidents have increased by 82%, resulting in fatal injuries.
More often than not, the wrong-way driver causes a head-on collision, so the chance of injuries and death is high no matter what. People who survive the accident face a long road to physical, mental, and financial recovery.
Although insurance should help recoup the losses, getting a fair settlement can prove challenging at best. Fortunately, a Salt Lake City car accident lawyer can help fight for justice and compensation from the responsible party.
A wrong-way car accident happens when a driver directs their vehicle in the opposite direction of travel and heads straight toward oncoming traffic. The cars traveling in the correct direction cannot accurately predict where the wrong-way driver will steer, making it difficult to impossible to avoid an accident. A head-on collision may occur as a result, which may result in serious injuries or even death.
Wrong-way crashes occur due to driver error. Oftentimes, they miss the signage or lane markers due to low light conditions, bad weather, or intoxication. These car accidents usually occur on the highway but can happen on any type of roadway. The severity of the crash depends on how the vehicles collide and their speed at the time of the collision.
Since wrong-way car crashes often cause severe injuries, they’re one of the most common cases seen by an experienced car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City. Upon taking on the case, an automobile accident law firm will jump into action to help its client fight for compensation from their insurance company and the at-fault party.
Every year, starting in 2019, more than 300 wrong-way crashes occur on Utah roadways. In 2019, a new DUI law reduced the blood-alcohol content limit to .05, which impacted the number of collisions. Despite this newly implemented limit, the number of crashes persisted and rocketed to 340 crashes in 2020.
Officials in Utah hope to curb the rate of wrong-way accidents by installing a new radar system on major roadways. This system will add bright signage, cameras, and radar detection equipment that tells drivers if they’re traveling in the opposite direction of traffic.
If the driver does not respond to the warnings, the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Highway Patrol will get an alert. That way, they can go out and attempt to stop the driver before a collision occurs. If they’re successful, their efforts could save the other drivers from a lifetime of serious injuries.
If you talk to any Utah accident attorney, they will tell you that it’s incredibly challenging to avoid getting into a collision with a wrong-way driver. Cars traveling in the opposite direction of traffic appear quickly and do not behave in a predictable manner.
The best thing to do is keep your eye on the horizon and scan traffic far ahead of your car. Beyond that, stay in the right lane as much as possible when driving on the highway. If you do see a car coming toward you, pull all the way off to the right side of the road and stop your vehicle.
Above all else, always wear your seatbelt while riding in a vehicle. Buckling up can save your life and prevent you from getting ejected from the car if a collision does occur. If you get into an accident with a wrong-way driver, seek help from a car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City after handling your immediate medical care needs.
Since Utah is a no-fault state, you’ll need to seek compensation from your personal injury protection policy first. You can then go after the at-fault party by filing a personal injury claim.
As you do that, you may get lowballed by your insurance company and then denied payment from the at-fault party. As the frustrations mount, you’ll likely want someone by your side to help you navigate the process from beginning to end. That’s where an experienced Utah accident attorney comes in.
At Craig Swapp & Associates, we go above and beyond to help our clients seek compensation for their losses after a wrong-way crash occurs. Our team knows how to fight for your right to get the full settlement, rather than the oft-paltry amount offered by your insurance company and at-fault party.
All you have to do is give us a call at 1-866-316-5847 or fill out our contact form to get a free case review. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can easily get started in seeking the justice you deserve.
Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp