Orlando Wrong Way
Car Accident Lawyer
Today, all vehicles are equipped with GPS navigation systems that allow drivers to track their way. At the same time, the presence of navigation systems has not reduced the number of wrong-way incidents. Rather, the number increases every year. Orlando is no exception. Very often, the navigation systems are wrong or provide the driver with incorrect information. For example, an interactive GPS navigation system could tell you to turn in 100 feet when, in fact, you will be turning at the wrong place or under a forbidden sign. Earlier, it was believed that wrong-way accidents were caused mostly by careless drivers. However, today, as our Orlando wrong-way car accident attorney can confirm, this problem is also faced by safe drivers. Such situations are common within city limits. If you or a loved one has been involved in such an incident, contact our lawyer in Orlando to get advice about your next steps.
What are the causes of wrong-way accidents?
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), there are between 300 and 400 wrong-way accidents every year. In most cases, the driver who caused the fatal crash was the one who drove the wrong way. Wrong-way accidents account for 3% of the total number of crashes. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a conservative forecast is that the total number of wrong-way fatalities will grow by 12-27%.
This will become a national problem in the United States in the coming years as GPS navigators are implemented. Several cities, including Orlando, are already seeing an increase in wrong-way accidents. Lawyers note that the main causes of wrong-way car incidents in Orlando are:
- drivers under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and medications;
- distracted driving;
- drivers who are unfamiliar with the roadway;
- poorly marked exits;
- inadequate placement of warning signs;
- poor design of the vehicle ramp;
- lack of road signs at the locations of turns;
- poor road visibility;
- driver drowsiness and fatigue;
- a mental disorder on the part of the driver.
It’s hard to measure how many crashes are caused by drugged driving, but estimates show that almost 44 percent of drivers in fatal car crashes tested positive for drugs.The greatest number of wrong-way accidents occurs from 12 am to 3 am, as well as on weekends.
Filing a personal injury claim after a wrong-way accident
Orlando has a no-fault insurance policy (PIP). If you have this insurance, you can file a wrong-way accident claim in Orlando. This means that your claim will be paid regardless of who is at fault. Seeking to find the other party at fault will not be easy; his insurer will seek to prove his innocence by any means possible, as the company does not wish to pay a huge settlement. Many times, our attorneys have seen that, in defense of their client’s interests, the other driver’s insurer flatly refuses to pay compensation. It is possible to get compensation, but to do so, an Orlando attorney will need to prove the following:
It is possible to get compensation, but to do so, an Orlando attorney will need to prove the following:
- The other driver was the primary cause of the incedent.
- The road user’s injury was caused by the car crash in Orlando.
- The victim’s insurance will not cover 100% of expenses related to medical care, treatment, and rehabilitation after the wrong-way accident.
Only if you meet these criteria will a lawyer be able to properly file your claim for bodily injury due to a incedent.
Negotiations with insurance companies
One of the clauses in your insurance contract requires you to inform the insurance company about the incedent. You must call the insurance company’s customer support. Then an insurance agent will visit the scene of the incedent. You might be asked to sign a so-called “pretrial agreement” promising you a fabulous payout. Our attorney strongly recommends that you not sign any documents provided by the agent. In particular, pay attention to your communication with the other driver’s insurance agent, who will also ask you to sign documents. Our attorney strongly advises you to not sign documents with any insurer—either your own or the other party’s.
There have been situations where a person signed documents with an insurer, still in shock after what happened, and ended up receiving little or no compensation. If an insurance agent is persistent, we recommend that you immediately call our attorney for a free initial consultation about your next steps. Tell the insurance agent that your personal insurance lawyer will handle all matters related to interaction with the insurance company.
FAQs
Car incidents involving improper maneuvering raise several questions. We suggest that you review the most common FAQs that our car accident attorneys have been asked. If you don’t find your answer, our on-call lawyer will prepare a free consultation for you.
What Should I Do if I See a Wrong-Way Driver?
What Should I Do if I See a Wrong-Way Driver?
- Reduce the speed of your vehicle as much as possible;
- Turn right to avoid a head-on collision;
- Move to the side of the road;
- Check to see if anyone else needs help;
- Call 911 to report what is happening and the need for medical assistance.
Additional proactive factors to reduce the risk of an accident include klaxon signals and flashing headlights. In this situation, you need to make decisions quickly and decisively.
What Should I Do if I Turn the Wrong Way Down a One-Way Street?
Sometimes your GPS navigator will indicate that you should turn the wrong way down a one-way street. If this happens, our attorney in Orlando recommends that you take the following steps. Stop on the right side of the road and turn on your headlights, alerting drivers that you are in trouble and have unknowingly violated traffic laws. In most cases, drivers will realize that you made a mistake and will stop so that you can turn around and pull into the correct lane. After that, pull off the one-way road and use road signs to determine which direction you need to go.
Can I Pass a Car on a One-Way Street?
On narrow streets, there are warning signs that regulate the right to pass a car. If there are no passing signs, do not make any attempts to pass another vehicle. Follow the traffic flow. In some areas, there are bike lanes on one-way streets that allow cyclists to ride at a limited speed. Some zones allow bicyclists to pass, while others strictly forbid it. Attorneys strongly recommend paying attention to traffic signs that indicate whether or not you can pass.
Holding negligent drivers accountable
Depending on the circumstances, negligent drivers may be subject to administrative and criminal penalties as well as mandatory compensation for the injured party. If the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not only might his or her driving privileges be revoked, but he or she might also be sent to jail. The term of criminal punishment depends on the number of times the driver was caught drunk behind the wheel. A careless driver can receive the harshest penalty if he or she caused the death of the other party . In addition, negligent drivers may not receive compensation payments if they are at least 50% at fault according to the modified degree of culpability.
Compensation for injuries related to a wrong-way accident
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on several factors. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, the attorney will be able to file a claim allowing the injured party to be paid the minimum amount of compensation under Florida law. Otherwise, the type of insurance, as well as the degree of fault of the driver as determined by a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles expert jury, will be considered.
Free case evaluation
Have you been involved in an incident and need expert assistance? We recommend that you get a free consultation with our lawyer, including an estimate of the likelihood of winning your case. We will not take money from you until you win your case with the insurance company or the guilty party
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