What happens if you’re in a car accident caused by a wrong-way driver on an Illinois highway?
Car Accident - March 3, 2025 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
Wrong-way car accidents can be dangerous and even deadly. If a wrong-way driver has hit you or a loved one head-on, you have the right to recover your losses through legal action. An experienced Chicago car accident attorney from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates will put your interests first and will guide you through the legal process.
Wrong-way driver accidents have serious consequences
During their most recent reporting year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) disclosed 704 fatalities caused by wrong-way accidents. A wrong-way driver accident is typically caused by vehicles traveling opposite traffic flow on roads such as ramps or controlled-access highways.
These types of accidents are dangerous because they often result in head-on collisions. Frontal impact in an accident can cause severe injuries and even be fatal, as the impact is absorbed more directly by the driver and passengers who are hit. Whiplash, brain injuries, neck and spine injuries, and internal damage are a few of the most common injuries from these types of accidents.
How to handle the immediate aftermath of a wrong-way accident in Illinois
Wrong-way accidents are frightening and disorienting. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of an accident, taking care of a few logistics upfront can help ensure your safety and get the resources you need faster. It is important to take the following steps after an accident:
- Get medical attention immediately for your injuries.
- File a police report and request a copy.
- Exchange information with the other driver involved.
- Take photos and videos of the collision and your injuries.
- Get statements from witnesses if possible.
- Hire a Chicago car accident attorney.
- File a claim with the other driver’s insurance company and inform your own.
Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident can make the process easier and result in a far greater settlement than what you can get on your own. They will also protect your rights so you are not exploited during a vulnerable time.
What you could recover in a car accident with a wrong-way driver
Wrong-way accidents often result in severe injuries, long recovery times, and exorbitant medical bills. The disruptions an accident with a wrong-way driver can have on your life are burdensome and leave you struggling under their weight. For many, these costs feel insurmountable and add even more stress to an already stressful time in your life.
Compensation is designed to alleviate the impact of the financial expenses you have incurred. Monetary damages can also help ease your pain and suffering to offset the effects the accident has had on other areas of your life. Some of the losses that compensation can help you recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Vehicle damages
- End-of-life, funeral, and burial expenses, in the event of death
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD and other mental anguish
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Diminished quality of life and loss of enjoyment
Advantages of hiring a car accident attorney to handle your case
When you are in pain after an accident with a driver going the wrong way, it can be hard to focus on anything besides the pain you are in and trying to recover. Fighting with insurance companies to get fair compensation can also feel like an uphill battle. However, a car accident lawyer can come alongside you and be your advocate and ally.
Your attorney can provide support by negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf and handling legal aspects if you also choose to file a personal injury claim. Your lawyer will also investigate your situation, gather evidence, and build a sound case to get results. They will also ensure your claim is filed before the two-year statute of limitations expires, per Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/13-202.
Additionally, when you hire Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, you do not have to pay any attorney fees unless we win your case. We use a contingency fee guarantee and only take attorney fees out of awarded damage, so you do not have to pay them alone. By doing this, we ensure that legal representation is accessible when you need it most.
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates put you first
For more than a hundred years, Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has been committed to working hard and loyally serving our clients so they can get the compensation they need. We understand that you are facing uncertainty after a wrong-way accident, and our team is here to ease your concerns and offer steadfast support during this difficult time.
To take the first step toward reclaiming your life, call our offices at (800) 985-1819 or contact us online to schedule your free consultations with one of our car accident attorneys.
