Savannah Wrong Way Accident Lawyer

For most drivers, absolutely nothing can prepare you for the moment you see a pair of headlights speeding right at you. Almost instantly, everything changes. These crashes are violent and destructive. Because these crashes are frequently head-on, it is almost impossible to get into one without catastrophic injuries. These include traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and severe whiplash. As a result, victims of wrong-way drivers often spend days, weeks, or even months getting physical therapy and medical treatment. This results in medical bills that can be sky high.

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Savannah wrong way accident lawyer team stands ready to shoulder the legal burden so you can concentrate on healing. We know the hospitals you may be in, the doctors you may see, and the unique challenges Savannah families face after a devastating wreck. Medical bills pile up fast. Paychecks stop when you cannot work. Pain makes even the smallest tasks feel impossible. You deserve full and fair compensation for every loss. We fight to make that happen. Call us today at 912-341-6644 for a free consultation with an experienced Savannah wrong way accident lawyer who truly cares.

Common Causes of Wrong-Way Crashes in Savannah

Wrong way collisions rarely happen by pure accident. Someone made a preventable mistake that put your life in danger. Understanding the cause helps us build the strongest possible case for you. Some of the most frequent reasons these crashes occur include drunk driving, distracted driving, driver fatigue, confusion at night, poor signage, reckless behavior, and sudden medical emergencies behind the wheel.

Drunk drivers often enter highways going the wrong direction after leaving bars or parties. A blood alcohol level above the legal limit impairs judgment so severely that stop signs and one-way markers go unnoticed. Distracted drivers looking at phones miss critical warnings and drift into oncoming traffic. Tired drivers who push through exhaustion misread exits or fall asleep momentarily, waking up headed straight toward other vehicles. Confused elderly drivers or visitors unfamiliar with the area sometimes make tragic wrong turns. Poorly designed or poorly lit entrances can contribute as well. Reckless individuals who speed or pass illegally sometimes end up in the wrong lanes. Even medical episodes such as heart attacks or diabetic emergencies can cause a driver to lose control completely.

No matter the reason, the result is the same. Innocent people pay the price. Serious injuries follow. Whiplash, fractured limbs, internal bleeding, and head trauma send victims to emergency rooms across Savannah. Our attorneys investigate every detail to pinpoint exactly why the crash happened and who should be held accountable.

How Wrong-Way Crashes Affect Your Life

A wrong way crash can turn everyday life into a daily struggle. Simple things like getting out of bed, bathing, or playing with your kids become painful or impossible. Chronic neck and back pain from whiplash can linger for months or years. Concussions bring headaches, dizziness, and trouble concentrating. Broken bones require surgery, casts, and lengthy rehabilitation. Some victims never return to their old jobs. Financial stress builds as medical bills arrive and wages disappear.

Parents worry about how to care for children when they can barely care for themselves. Spouses take on extra work and household duties while watching their loved one suffer. The emotional toll is enormous. Many survivors develop anxiety about driving again. Some experience nightmares or constant fear on the road. Children who lose a parent face grief that no child should endure.

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we see the full picture of what you are going through. We fight for compensation that covers hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and all other damages Georgia law allows. You should not have to drain savings or go into debt because someone else made a terrible choice.

Determining Liability in Savannah Wrong-Way Crashes

In almost every wrong way collision, the driver traveling against traffic bears primary responsibility. Georgia law views wrong way driving as negligence per se, meaning it violates traffic laws and usually establishes fault automatically. However, insurance companies still look for ways to shift blame or reduce what they pay. Some claim the victim could have avoided the crash or contributed to it in some small way. Others argue injuries existed before the wreck.

We refuse to let those tactics succeed. Our attorneys use police reports, witness accounts, video evidence, and traffic law violations to prove the wrong way driver caused the collision. In certain cases, additional parties share liability. Poor road design or missing signs can make government entities responsible. Bars or social hosts who overserved an obviously intoxicated driver may face dram shop claims. Employers can be liable if their worker caused the wreck while on the job.

If the at-fault driver was a minor, Georgia’s Family Purpose Doctrine often allows claims against parents who provided the vehicle. We explore every possible avenue of recovery to maximize the compensation available to you and your family.

Overcoming Insurance Company Obstacles

Insurance adjusters know wrong way crashes typically mean large payouts, so they work hard to pay as little as possible. They may offer a quick settlement before you realize how serious your injuries are. They might request recorded statements designed to trap you into saying something they can twist. They sometimes hire their own investigators to find any reason to blame you partially. If the wrong way driver had no insurance or not enough coverage, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy becomes critical, yet your own company may fight just as hard to limit what they owe.

Having an experienced Savannah wrong way accident lawyer levels the playing field. We know every tactic insurers use and how to counter them. We present overwhelming evidence of liability and damages backed by medical experts, vocational specialists, and economists when needed. We negotiate aggressively and prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies respect attorneys who are ready and willing to fight in court, and that respect translates into better settlement offers for our clients.

Legal Penalties That Strengthen Your Civil Case

Wrong way drivers who cause injury or death in Georgia face severe consequences that help prove negligence in your civil claim. Driving the wrong way on a divided highway is a misdemeanor carrying fines and jail time. If impairment is involved, DUI charges bring mandatory license suspension, thousands in fines, community service, and possible prison sentences. Reckless driving convictions add points and increase insurance rates dramatically. Serious injury or fatality cases can lead to felony charges like vehicular homicide or aggravated assault.

These criminal penalties and citations serve as powerful evidence in your injury lawsuit. They show the driver violated clear traffic laws and acted with disregard for public safety. Juries and insurance adjusters give significant weight to official findings of wrongdoing.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Takes a Compassionate Approach to Your Claim

We understand that no amount of money erases what happened, but fair compensation eases the burden and lets you rebuild. From your very first call, we treat you like family. During the initial free consultation, we listen carefully to everything you have been through. We explain your rights in plain language and answer every question.

Once you choose our firm, we immediately begin investigating and building your case. We keep you updated at every stage without overwhelming you with legal jargon. If insurance negotiations reach a fair settlement, we make sure you understand exactly what it covers before you sign anything. If the offer falls short, we file suit and take your case as far as needed to achieve justice.

Georgia’s Strict Statute of Limitations

In most car accidents, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. In some cases, such as in those involving drivers employed by the government, the timeline can be even shorter. If you miss these deadlines, your case could be thrown out, and you might not be able to win any compensation at all. This is true no matter how much evidence you have. This means it is imperative to call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Savannah wrong way accident lawyer team as soon as possible to ensure that your legal rights are protected and enforced.

Compensation Available to Savannah Wrong-Way Crash Victims

Georgia law allows recovery for many types of losses after a serious wreck. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, out-of-pocket costs, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring or disfigurement. In cases of extreme recklessness or intoxication, punitive damages may punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

Wrongful death claims provide compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the profound grief of surviving family members. We work with trusted experts to calculate lifetime costs of care for catastrophic injuries like paralysis or brain damage. No detail gets overlooked.

Take the First Step Toward Justice

You did nothing wrong, yet you are paying the price for someone else’s terrible mistake. Do not let another person’s mistake define your life. An experienced Savannah wrong way accident lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Call 912-341-6644 to schedule your free consultation.