Wrong-Way Driving Accident Lawyer in Colorado

CALL (800) 863-5312 to speak with a Colorado PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY FOR FREE

Wrong-way crashes have been on the uptick in recent years and remain a persistent and devastating threat. In fact, between 2015 and 2018 there was an average of about 500 deaths a year due to wrong-way collisions. If you have been injured in a wrong-way driving crash in Colorado, the resulting physical and financial consequences can impact you for years to come.

Our Colorado personal injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group have experience helping people who have been hurt by a driver who was driving in the wrong direction. We can investigate your claims, determine who is liable, and guide you through the entire legal process of fighting for the compensation you deserve. So, if you or someone you love has been hurt in a wrong-way car wreck in Colorado, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer today.

The ins and outs of wrong-way collisions

Wrong-way accidents are head-on collisions that take place when motorists drive in the opposite direction of traffic flow and crash into other motorists. These types of accidents are incredibly dangerous and oftentimes cause serious injuries, sometimes fatal.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a wrong-way accident in Colorado, you may have a lot of questions. At Zinda Law Group, it is our prerogative to give you all the answers we can.

Why Do Wrong-Way Accidents Happen?

Wrong-way accidents may sound like a rare occurrence, but that is not actually the case; in fact, Colorado has an average of 8 deaths per year from these types of accidents. You may be asking yourself this question: Why on Earth would someone be driving on the wrong side of the road? Well, there are many different possible explanations.

Here are a few examples of common causes for wrong-way driving accidents in Colorado:

• The driver had impaired judgment due to alcohol or drugs.
• The driver was distracted while driving.
• Drivers dose off while driving, particularly those in positions like commercial truck drivers who are on the road for long periods of time.
• Drivers text and talk on the phone while driving.
• The driver entered the interstate incorrectly.
• The driver was speeding and lost control of the vehicle.
• Some people have difficulty driving late at night.
• Drivers 70+ years of age may drive the wrong way in confusion.

These are just a few reasons for why these kinds of automobile accidents occur. However, studies show that six out of ten wrong-way crashes involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Thus, driving while intoxicated is certainly a very common cause of wrong-way collisions.

Once you have been injured in an accident, it can be difficult to figure out what happened and who is responsible. In some cases, it can be difficult to prove that the other party was driving with impaired judgment or was distracted or disoriented. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer to investigate the case for you can greatly improve your chances of prevailing.

Experienced personal injury attorneys know how to determine who was liable and how to hold them responsible in court. While you and your family attempt to get back on your feet after a wrong-way driving crash, an experienced Colorado auto accident attorney can fight for the compensation you deserve. Additionally, your Zinda Law Group personal injury lawyer won’t charge you a penny unless they win your case.

What Kind of Compensation is Available?

If you were injured in a wrong-way driving crash in Colorado you may be entitled to compensation. Every case is different in terms of the exact amount a plaintiff is awarded, but here are a few different types of damages that you may be entitled to:

• Economic damages: These damages include past and future medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost income. This means it includes the cost of any hospital stays or medicine co-pays, the wages you lost from taking time off work to recover, the cost to repair or fix any personal property that was damaged, and the other expenses you needed to pay because of the accident, such as the price of a rental car. For these types of accidents, economic damages can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars.
• Non-economic damages: Although these types of damages are a bit more difficult to ascertain, they are nonetheless a very important form of recovery. These damages cover things like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and disability or disfigurement.
• Punitive damages: Pursuant to Colorado law, if the jury found that the driver’s conduct was “willful and wanton,” then punitive damages can be awarded. Basically, this means that if the driver was acting in a particularly egregious manner, then the jury can order the defendant to pay punitive damages as a mean of punishment.

Although Colorado does have a cap on the amount of damages that a plaintiff can recover, it only pertains to the amount of punitive and non-economic damages as opposed to recovery of things like your medical bills. Additionally, there is an exception to the cap if the injured party can prove permanent physical impairment. This is an example of one of the many reasons to retain a personal injury lawyer for your wrong-way accident case; a lawyer who has handled these kinds of car crash cases can help you decipher what kinds of damages you may be able to recover and can work to make sure you are compensated adequately.

Colorado does recognize wrongful death actions brought by the family of a victim of a wrong-way collision. So, if you have lost a loved one to an auto accident in Colorado, you may have a claim for compensatory damages. Although the damages cap does apply to these types of cases, there are some exceptions to the rule that may apply to your case; an experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate those complexities and ensure that your family receives the compensation it deserves.