Wrong Way Accidents in Maryland: A Complete Guide

You're driving home after a late shift when headlights appear in your lane and a wrong-way driver strikes your car head-on. In an instant, your world changes as you face serious injuries, rising medical bills, and countless questions about what to do next.

While rare, wrong-way accidents are often severe. Victims may suffer life-altering injuries due to the combined speeds and forces involved in these head-on collisions. At Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, we understand how overwhelming this time can be and are here to help. Our knowledgeable car accident lawyer team has been fighting for the rights of Maryland crash victims for decades, and we're committed to guiding you forward with compassion and trusted counsel every step of the way. If a wrong-way driver has hurt you or a loved one, here's what you need to know to protect your health, finances, and future.

Why are Wrong-Way Accidents so Severe?

Wrong-way crashes are particularly dangerous for several reasons:

  • High-speed impacts. These accidents often occur on divided highways like I-95 and I-495, where vehicles are traveling at high speeds in opposite directions. This greatly amplifies the force of the head-on impact.

  • Limited reaction time. Most drivers don't anticipate a wrong-way vehicle barreling toward them, especially on a marked one-way road. This leaves precious little time to swerve or brake before a collision occurs.

  • Impairment. Many wrong-way drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, making their actions highly unpredictable. Severe impairment also increases the likelihood that they'll enter an exit ramp or cross a median without slowing.

  • Confusion or distraction. Drivers may miss one-way signs when unfamiliar with the area or distracted by something like their phone. 

Many wrong-way accidents involve head-on collisions. Victims may suffer life-altering injuries, from traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage to multiple fractures and disfigurement. Survivors often require extensive medical treatment, lengthy rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Some are left permanently disabled and unable to return to work or activities they once enjoyed. Families may be burdened with overwhelming expenses while also grieving the profound changes in their loved one's life. 

Determining Fault in Wrong-Way Accident Cases

Determining fault in wrong-way crashes may seem straightforward—after all, one driver was clearly going the wrong direction. However, multiple contributing factors must be thoroughly examined, such as:

  • Missing or confusing signage at entrances to roads or highway ramps

  • Defective road design or inadequate median barriers on stretches prone to crossover accidents

  • Mechanical failures or defective vehicle components that caused a driver to lose control

  • Poorly marked construction zones that lack clear detours and lane shifts

  • Another motorist's negligence that forced a driver into the oncoming lane

At Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, our legal team digs deep into the evidence to uncover every potentially liable party. We regularly work with accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, and medical experts to build powerful cases for our clients. Whether we need to pursue compensation from major insurers, government entities, or vehicle manufacturers, we have the resources and tenacity to hold them accountable.

Protecting Yourself After a Wrong-Way Crash

In the chaos following a high-speed, head-on collision, taking the right actions is critical to both your well-being and your legal case:

  1. Seek medical attention. Get evaluated by a doctor right away, even if you feel okay. Symptoms of soft tissue damage and brain injuries may be delayed.

  2. Follow your treatment plan. Attend all appointments and therapy sessions to give yourself the best chance at maximum medical improvement.

  3. Preserve all evidence. Document the scene as soon as possible, before memories fade and evidence disappears. Write down an account of the incident, collect contact info for witnesses, and take photos of the scene and your injuries.

  4. Avoid sharing details. Do not publicly discuss the accident or your case, including on social media. What you share could be used to undermine your claim.

  5. Find a lawyer. Consult an experienced wrong-way accident attorney before giving any statements to insurance companies. Remember, insurers look for ways to shift fault to you and reduce the compensation you deserve.

In the DC metro area, Maryland is the only jurisdiction that still applies the harsh contributory negligence standard, which means you can be barred from recovering any damages if you're found even 1 percent at fault. With so much at stake, you need an advocate who can counter unfair insurance tactics, prove liability, and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Get Help From an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

At Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, we've built our practice on compassionately guiding injury victims through their most challenging moments. We know you're facing a painful road ahead, and we're here to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing.

Our skilled trial attorneys understand the personal injury laws and court procedures in Maryland and the DC metro area. Insurance companies know our reputation for meticulous preparation, compelling arguments, and tireless advocacy. We've recovered millions of dollars for our clients and are ready to put our decades of experience to work for you.