Wrong-way drivers present a shocking sight on local roads, and they can also cause devastating collisions. Drivers hurt by a wrong-way driver’s mistake can seek help with their medical bills, car repair costs, and in replacing their lost time at work.
If you come away from an accident with just car damage and/or only very minor injuries, you may not need a lawyer to handle your case. But if you have a serious injury, and a wrong-way driver caused your accident, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to schedule a free consultation. It’s a confidential, no-obligation review of your case with a real Bakersfield car accident attorney.
The Scary Hazards Presented by Wrong-Way Drivers
Wrong-way drivers on local routes, like Highway 58 or 99, can present a shocking sight and a more dangerous accident risk to drivers going the right direction.
More Powerful Collisions: Drivers who are going the wrong way are often impaired or very confused, and that can leave them unable to recognize danger and slow down to avoid an accident. They may not have the awareness to hit the brakes when seeing cars coming straight at them and proceed, full speed, into a devastating collision. The additional speed can leave victims inside both cars experiencing a powerful impact and blunt force trauma.
Harder to Avoid: Drivers on the correct side of the highway might also have a harder time avoiding an accident. The confusing sight of car headlights coming at them at night could confuse even the most alert driver. Also, the unpredictable nature of a wrong-way driver (who may also be impaired) can make steering clear of a wrong-way car much more challenging.
Dangerous Angle of Impact: Wrong-way drivers are often heading straight for other drivers, and that can lead to dangerous head-on collisions. A frontal impact combines the speeds of both cars, and it’s the people inside the cars that endure the additional force created. Car damage is more severe, and injuries can go from minor to life-threatening.
Wrong-way accidents are not just a problem for Los Angeles motorists who are used to seeing these wild mistakes nearly every day. Bakersfield reports wrong-way incidents each year, and some accidents can cause serious harm.
Bakersfield saw 45 accidents involving injury blamed on wrong-way drivers in 2024. The level of accidents was nearly the same as the year before in 2023, when there were 47 serious accidents involving a wrong-way motorist. That’s according to California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS).
Victims can seek help from an at-fault driver’s car insurance company, but their adjusters often make it difficult for injured patients to get full compensation. If often up to a skilled lawyer to investigate what happened and build a case with strong evidence so that the facts of what happened and the severity of consequences can’t be twisted.
Why Do Wrong-Way Drivers End Up There?
Cloverleaf interchanges can be confusing to any driver, and vehicles rush on and off busy highways around Bakersfield.
But most often, the fault rests with drivers who may make poor decisions. Some drivers may not have the experience to drive safely on local roads. Others may not have the faculties to make a safe entry or exit on a highway.
These are a few of the most common types of wrong-way drivers:
- DUI Drivers: Drivers on drugs or under the influence of alcohol can make just about any wrong turn and end up going 70 mph in the wrong direction. DUI motorists usually don’t have the good judgment to stop a wrong-way trip before something bad can happen. More Information for Victims Who Are Struck by DUI Drivers
- Drivers With a Medical Emergency: Motorists suffering from a medical condition or having issues with a prescription drug can also mistakenly take the wrong exit ramp and get on a highway in the opposite lanes.
- Elderly Drivers: Older drivers can become confused by signs and the rush of traffic and end up making a wrong turn. Let’s face it, not every street sign in Bakersfield is 100% clear. Senior drivers might also be more easily disoriented.
- New Drivers: Teen drivers without a lot of experience can end up making an ill-advised turn.
- Distracted Drivers: Drivers at any age can get distracted by their phones or a conversation with a passenger and end up in the wrong turn lane. Complicated traffic patterns can require full concentration for victims to get where they are going. Mistakes can happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I wait to file a claim over a Bakersfield car crash?
California allows victims up to two years to file a personal injury claim, but waiting months or years can hurt a case. You should go over your case with a lawyer as soon as you can. Waiting can mean valuable evidence vanishes and witnesses become harder to track down. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you can hopefully receive a settlement check.
What kinds of damages earn compensation in a car accident settlement?
Accident victims must first get help with their medical bills before they face bankruptcy. All bills now and any expected medical costs in the future should be covered. Repair costs for a damaged vehicle or full replacement money should be a part of the settlement. The paychecks victims lose while missing work must be reimbursed. The physical pain and emotional trauma left for victims to cope with must also receive consideration. A skilled Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer can also help families earn support after a wrong-way driver has claimed a loved one’s life.
What type of documents and evidence should I bring to my meeting with a lawyer?
Any evidence you managed to collect at the scene will be helpful…things like photos of the damage and witness contact information. If you have a copy of a police accident report, bring a copy for your attorney (your lawyer will retrieve this report for you). Bring all medical charts and invoices. Turn over all receipts you have for any other care and damages related to your crash. Paystubs will be important later to show the income that you’ve had to say goodbye to while you’ve been unable to work.
We Back Your Injury Case with Powerful Evidence and Fight to Earn You More
If you have a serious injury, and a reckless driver caused your accident, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to schedule a free consultation. It’s a confidential, no-obligation review of your case with a real Bakersfield car accident attorney.
Your full recovery becomes our number one mission. We don’t stop fighting until you are 100% healed and have the money you need to restore your normal life.
If you end up needing our help to prove that another driver was at fault and caused your accident and injuries, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll afford a great lawyer. We don’t charge anything up front, and we only get paid if we win your case for you. Then our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement check that an insurance company writes for you.