This guide is designed to help you understand the steps to take in the hours and days following a car accident. If you have any questions not covered by the guide, please don’t hesitate to contact us right away.
There is a nationwide increase in fatal wrong-way car accidents. Between 2015-2018 there were more than 2,000 deaths caused by wrong-way drivers on divided highways. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS), deaths from wrong-way car accidents increased by 34 percent compared to 2010-2014.
Wrong-Way Collision Statistics
Wrong-way car accidents are often fatal because they occur on divided highways and typically involve head-on collisions. The AAAFTS have identified three main causes for wrong-way driving accidents. The most common reason is drunk driving, followed by the driver’s age and the presence of a passenger. 60 percent of wrong-way accidents are caused by drunk drivers. Drivers 70 and above are also at a higher risk than younger drivers to be involved in a wrong-way car accident. Additionally, about 87 percent of drivers involved in wrong-way car accidents were alone, which suggests that passengers help prevent these collisions.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Crash
In the case of a fatal wrong-way crash, the victim’s family has the right to file a wrongful death claim, which is a lawsuit against a person who may be deemed at fault. If a drunk driver drives the wrong way on the highway, is involved in a head-on collision with a person, and that person dies, the drunk driver may be held liable for his or her death.
The objective of wrongful death claims is to bring comfort and monetary compensation to the family of the deceased victim. Ohio has identified five categories of compensable losses in a wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation can be awarded for the following losses:
- Loss of services
- Loss of companionship, care, assistance, and guidance
- Loss of support from the reasonably expected earnings of the decedent
- Loss of prospective inheritance
- Mental anguish incurred by the decedent’s spouse, children, parents, or next of kin
Let Tittle & Perlmuter Help Your Family Seek Justice
The compassionate attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter have years of experience with fatal wrong-way car accidents and wrongful death lawsuits in the state. If you have been tragically affected by any of these events, you deserve financial recovery for your lost loved one. To learn more about seeking compensation, contact Tittle & Perlmutter immediately to discuss your options.