Wrong Way Car Accident Attorneys in Burlington, VT

A wrong way accident can turn your life upside down in a split second. One minute you are heading home, running errands, or meeting up with friends. The next, you are caught in a terrifying crash that you never saw coming. These accidents are not only scary but also devastating, leading to serious injuries or even worse.

If you or a loved one has been in a wrong way accident in Burlington, we know how overwhelming it can feel. Medical bills, insurance calls, lost income—it's enough to leave anyone extremely stressed out. At Horn Wright, LLP, our wrong way accident team handles the legal side so you can focus on healing and putting your life back together. 

What Are Wrong Way Accidents?

A wrong way accident occurs when a vehicle travels against the flow of traffic, often on highways or one-way streets. These crashes are as dangerous as they sound, often involving high speeds and head-on collisions.

So, what causes someone to end up on the wrong side of the road? The reasons vary, but some of the most common include:

• Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drugs play a huge role. Impaired drivers can easily get disoriented and take the wrong exit or entrance ramp.
• Confusion or Fatigue: Ever been so tired or distracted you’ve missed a sign? It happens especially to tourists or out-of-towners who aren’t familiar with Burlington’s roadways.
• Poor Signage: Sometimes it's not the driver's fault. Missing or unclear "Do Not Enter" or "Wrong Way" signs can lead to honest mistakes.

The bottom line? These crashes are preventable, but they still happen. And when they do, the consequences can be life-altering.

Burlington's Wrong Way Accident Hotspots

It might be a smaller city, but Burlington is not exempt from the wrong way drivers that seem to plague the roads everywhere. Interstate 89, for example, has experienced its share of incidents throughout the years. It does not take much to create chaos with wrong way drivers entering the ramps or at intersections, especially near the University of Vermont or downtown's crowded streets.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation has worked hard to address problem areas, but accidents still happen. If you’re navigating Burlington’s roads, it’s worth staying extra alert, particularly near high-traffic zones like Main Street or Shelburne Road.

Common Injuries from Wrong Way Accidents

Wrong way accidents don’t just wreck cars—they can wreck lives. Victims often suffer from:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: This can vary from a slight concussion to a more permanent, serious damage that changes the memory, speech, and even emotional status of a person.
• Spinal Injuries: When the spinal cord is injured, partial or full paralysis may be acquired, forever changing the way in which someone lives their life.
• Broken Bones: Legs, arms, ribs—when a crash occurs, fractures are common and sometimes take months (or years) to heal.
• Internal Injuries: Often you won't even realize the internal injuries, but these could be serious and usually would necessitate emergency surgery.
• Emotional Trauma: It's not just about the physical aching. Many victims have psychological traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression after such an unbelievable happening.

You Have Rights, and We'll Fight for Them

Following a wrong way accident, you can feel lost. Who is going to pay for all these medical bills? Your car? Your lost work? In Vermont, the law is on your side. If the other driver's negligence caused the accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: This includes everything from emergency room visits to physical therapy and ongoing care.
• Lost Wages: If you've had to take time off work—or can't work at all because of your injuries—you deserve compensation.
• Pain and Suffering: It's not just about the bills. You can also seek damages for how the accident has affected your life emotionally and physically.
• Property Damage: Repairs or replacement for your car or any belongings damaged in the crash.

Our wrong way accident team will handle the insurance companies, file your claims, and make sure your rights are protected. You focus on healing—we'll focus on justice.

What To Do Right After a Wrong Way Accident

If you just experienced a wrong way accident, your head is probably spinning. In such moments, it is not easy to think clearly, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. Seek Medical Attention Right Away: Even if you feel okay, some injuries do not appear right away. A quick trip to the ER can catch hidden issues like internal bleeding or a concussion.
2. Call the Police: When it comes to filing claims or building a case legally, a police report is your best friend. They will document the scene and help decide the fault.
3. Document Everything: If possible, photograph the vehicles, your injuries, and the crash scene. Write down everything that you can remember about what occurred. Details are important.
4. Calm down and do not take responsibility: It's tempting to say, "I'm sorry," or make something up, but don't. Leave that for the investigators to sort out.
5. Consult an Attorney: This can seem like the biggest leap of all, but it really, really does matter. The right attorney is going to know the best way through the system. You are not.

How Burlington Can Prevent Wrong Way Accidents

We believe prevention is the key. Burlington can do much to prevent these accidents, such as:

• Improved Signage: Larger, more visible "Wrong Way" signs can catch a driver's attention before it's too late. Reflective paint or LED-lit signs work wonders, especially at night.
• Ramp Design Changes: Installing one-way tire spikes or more physical barriers on highway entrances could stop wrong way drivers in their tracks.
• Ramp up sobriety checkpoints to counter impaired driving, one of the main causes.

As a driver? Stay vigilant. Use GPS, drive cautiously in unfamiliar areas, and in case you observe someone traveling the wrong way on a highway, safely move out of the way, turn your phone on, and call 911.

Let Horn Wright, LLP Help You After a Devastating Wrong Way Accident

Wrong way accidents are frightening, life-altering experiences. Whether you're facing serious injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one, it's okay to feel overwhelmed. But you don't have to go through it alone.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve helped countless Burlington residents pick up the pieces after devastating accidents. Let us help you, too. We’ll fight for your rights, handle the tough conversations, and make sure you’re taken care of. Call us today, and let’s take that first step toward justice—together.