If a wrong-way driver is approaching your vehicle, slow down and move out of the path of the other vehicle. Try not to make any sudden moves that could result in a secondary collision. When you can, pull over to safety and call 911. Notify the operator of your location and which way the wrong-way driver is headed. Do not follow or attempt to stop the driver yourself.
Austin Wrong-Way Driver Accident Lawyer
Trusted Wrong-Way Driver Accident Attorney in Austin, TX
Wrong-way accidents often cause severe injuries when vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide at high speeds. Some drivers enter highways by mistake at exit ramps, drive into oncoming traffic lanes, or fail to follow road signs. An Austin wrong-way driver accident lawyer from The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC may assist injured drivers in investigating a crash and seeking compensation due to another driver’s negligence.
Personalized Injury Representation at The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC
At The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, we advocate on behalf of individuals injured in serious motor vehicle accidents around Austin. Firm founder Stephen W. Stewart has decades of experience in personal injury law, and our firm has advocated for thousands of injured victims. We offer services in English and Spanish, always maintain open lines of communication with our clients, and represent personal injury victims on a contingency-fee basis.
Our attorneys can help you investigate crashes and gather evidence of fault, document your damages, and work toward resolving disputed liability.
CALL (512) 326-3200 TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION
Where and Why Wrong-Way Accidents Occur in Austin
The highway system in Austin features numerous entrance ramps, frontage roads, and complex interchanges. Determining which direction to drive can be confusing for motorists who enter or exit these roadways. Some of the major highways where wrong-way collisions occur include Interstate 35, MoPac Expressway, U.S. Highway 183, and State Highway 71. Many factors can contribute to wrong-way accidents, such as:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Getting on or exiting highways
- Distracted driving
- Driving while drowsy
- Passing on undivided roads
- Medical conditions
Driving the wrong way is extremely hazardous on divided highways since motorists do not expect traffic to approach from those directions. Oncoming vehicles are often hard to see at night, which can reduce a driver’s reaction time.
Texas Laws Governing Wrong-Way Driving Accidents
Drivers must follow several traffic laws that can apply to wrong-way accidents. Drivers in Texas must drive on the right side of the roadway unless it is unreasonable or unnecessary to do so. Additionally, Texas law also prohibits driving on the left side of the road when approaching curves or the crest of a hill. This law could apply if someone caused a wrong-way accident by passing illegally or drifting into oncoming traffic.
Additional laws relate to driving on divided highways, traffic signs, and road markings. A negligent driver might violate one or more of these wrong-way driver accident laws before causing an accident. Proof of negligence is necessary to file a wrong-way driver accident claim, but the victim must also prove causation and quantifiable losses.
Injuries Commonly Associated With Wrong-Way Collisions
Head-on collisions can produce higher crash forces than other types of impacts, especially at highway speeds. Injuries may include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
Emergency medical treatment and extensive rehabilitation may be necessary for serious injuries. Some people cannot return to work or perform daily activities by themselves after a wrong-way accident. Medical records can help prove injuries were caused by the collision. Hospital records, medical tests, doctor’s notes, and rehabilitation progress reports may be valuable evidence of injuries and their causes.
Compensation Available After a Wrong-Way Accident
Potentially recoverable damages include past and future medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Texans injured through someone else’s negligence can seek financial compensation for their injuries and other losses.
Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule. Damages are reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault. Injured parties cannot recover damages if they were more than 50% responsible for causing the collision.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 4,150 traffic fatalities, 14,905 serious injury crashes, and 18,218 seriously injured people in Texas during 2024. These statistics include all types of crashes and not just wrong-way collisions.
Hire a Wrong-Way Driver Accident Lawyer
When you hire a wrong-way driver accident lawyer, you benefit from professional legal guidance while preserving valuable evidence. Lawyers may be able to obtain electronic data from the vehicles, review roadway surveillance videos, analyze toxicology reports, and work with accident reconstruction professionals to determine liability. Your Austin wrong-way driver accident attorney can also help identify responsible parties and insurance policies.
CALL (512) 326-3200 TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION
FAQs
Request Your Free Consultation With The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC
If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of a wrong-way driver, The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC can help you seek compensation. Contact us today to learn about your legal options.
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