Wrong-way Car Accidents

It is well established that Massachusetts drivers must drive on the right side of the road unless they are passing a vehicle. However, some people operate their cars on the wrong side of the road, causing collisions that often lead to injuries, and in some cases, fatalities. Wrong-way car accidents rarely occur absent reckless behavior, and drivers that cause such accidents should be held accountable for the damages and suffering they cause. If you or a loved one were hurt in a wrong-way accident, it is advisable to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible about your rights. The Cape Cod car accident attorneys of The Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, have ample experience fighting to protect the rights of people injured due to the negligence of others, and if you hire us, we will work tirelessly on your behalf. Collectively, we have more than fifteen decades of experience helping injured parties pursue claims in lawsuits, and our dedicated representation has allowed us to recover numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.

As the name implies, wrong-way accidents occur when a motorist drives on the wrong side of a road or in the incorrect direction down a one-way street. In many instances, drivers that cause wrong-way collisions are impaired in some manner, whether due to drugs, alcohol, or confusion related to an illness. Drivers that are inexperienced or advanced in age are more likely to cause wrong-way crashes as well.

Typically, drivers do not realize they are traveling in the wrong direction until it is too late to avoid a collision. As such, they are often driving at a high rate of speed and either fail to brake entirely or do not apply their brakes until shortly before the crash occurs. Such accidents, therefore, usually cause significant harm, including traumatic brain injuries, hemorrhages, fractures, organ damage, shock, and emotional trauma.

A person who is harmed in a wrong-way car accident has the right to pursue damages from the driver that caused the accident. Generally, a plaintiff in a car accident case must establish liability and damages. Liability is usually established by proving negligence, which requires the plaintiff to show that the defendant had a duty to drive with the care a reasonable person would exercise under similar circumstances and that the defendant drove in a manner that constitutes a breach of the duty owed. The plaintiff must also prove that the defendant proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer quantifiable damages, which means demonstrating that the plaintiff’s harm would not have occurred without the defendant’s acts.

There are few defenses a defendant can offer in cases involving a wrong-way car accident, and they may concede liability. Frequently, however, they may dispute what damages, if any, were caused by the accident. In such instances, a plaintiff may need to retain experts to explain the manner in which the crash caused the plaintiff’s injuries, the extent, and permanency of the plaintiff’s injuries, and what medical treatment was reasonable and necessary to treat the plaintiff, as well as what treatment will be needed in the future. Additionally, a plaintiff may need to retain an economist to establish lost wages and loss of future earnings.

Wrong-way car accidents are among the most catastrophic types of accidents that can occur, and they often cause irreparable harm. If you were hurt in a wrong-way car accident caused by a careless driver, you could be owed substantial damages and should speak to a lawyer. At The Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, our attorneys are skilled at gathering the evidence needed to prove that people who recklessly harm others should be held accountable, and if you hire us, we will diligently seek the maximum damages recoverable in your case. We have a history of successful outcomes, including many damages awards surpassing one million dollars. We help injured people pursue claims in car accident cases on Cape Cod, and we are available to meet with parties in Hyannis and Plymouth. You can reach us via our form online or at (888) 262-6664 to schedule a conference. Nós Falamos Português.