The Atlanta area has seen an uptick of fatal wrong-way accidents over the past year. For some reason, a driver ends up going the wrong way on the highway and collides at high speeds with another motorist. Unfortunately, any head-on collision can lead to fatal injuries, and surviving family members are often confused about why the accident happened. The police might have few answers, at least initially. Reach out to Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys if you have questions about what comes next. Our Atlanta wrongful death lawyers can meet to discuss the crash and what possibly caused it. If your loved one was not to blame, then we might file a legal claim for compensation.
Disturbing Increase in Wrong-Way Collisions
The Atlanta area has seen many wrong-way fatal accidents over the past year. Here is only a small sampling of some of the most recent fatal wrecks:
- On June 15, 2025 a fatal accident occurred on the I-285 Northbound Expressway early in the morning. One driver was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the other vehicle was in critical condition when police arrived.
- In October 2024, a woman died in a fatal accident in Midtown Atlanta early in the morning. The car, which was going the wrong way, had crashed into a cement barrier.
- In November 2024 a 24-year-old woman was killed in a wrong way crash on the 400 Northbound Expressway. The victim was driving a Kia Sorento which collided with a Toyota Rav4 head on.
These accidents are a disturbing reminder that motorists must always be alert, even on the freeway. Another driver could be traveling at high speeds directly at you. If possible, swerve out of the way and then pull over to the side of the road and call the police or 9-1-1. They will hopefully flag down the driver before anyone gets hurt.
What Causes Head-On Collisions?
These should be rare accidents. Only someone unfamiliar with the roads would enter a highway going the wrong direction, and most drivers would stop immediately once they realized their mistake.
But as Fox 5 reported early in 2025, the number of fatal wrong-way accidents in Atlanta doubled between 2013 and 2022. And those statistics do not account for the most recent fatal wrong way accidents, like those listed above.
Wrong way accidents usually occur for one of the following reasons:
- Fleeing from police. The driver could be fleeing the police after committing a crime. They go the wrong way on the highway simply because they are trying to get away and not thinking clearly.
- Intoxication or drug use. A motorist who is high or drunk might engage in risky behavior. A high driver might not even really realize they are going the wrong way. Drugs and alcohol also impair a motorist’s vision, so they might not see clearly, especially at night.
- Suicide. A driver might be attempting suicide by going the wrong way and precipitating a head-on collision.
- Driver inexperience. Some teens engage in risky behavior to show off to their friends. They could go the wrong way intentionally as a joke—which unfortunately turns deadly.
Whatever the reasons for the accident, these collisions cause serious injuries because the cars usually collide head on. That type of accident causes a dramatic deceleration, which can lead to fatal internal injuries, neck injuries, and brain trauma.
Can You Receive Compensation if a Loved One Dies in a Wrong Way Accident?
The legal team at Stewart Miller Simmons Trail Attorneys has fought for many clients to obtain financial compensation when a loved one dies in an accident. Georgia’s wrongful death law grants certain family members a right to file a claim when they lose a close relative.
The key legal issue in these cases is fault for the death. Suppose your spouse ended up going the wrong way on the highway and caused the crash. It will be hard as the surviving spouse to obtain compensation for wrongful death because your spouse is to blame for the head on collision.
Going the wrong way is certainly negligent, at a minimum, and usually reckless. If your loved one was drunk or high, then they probably have most of the blame for the collision that resulted. Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law will prevent you from seeking compensation in those situations.
Let us investigate. It is often unclear why these wrong-way accidents take place. Many victims die at the scene, so we never hear their version of what happened.
Bringing a Lawsuit Against an Estate
We will have better success if your loved one was traveling in the correct direction. If so, we can probably hold the wrong-way driver accountable for the fatal crash because they failed to follow the rules of the road. Even if the defendant dies, we can file a wrongful death claim against their estate for compensation.
Time is of the essence. Legal claims against an estate need to be filed promptly. The defendant’s estate could have other claims filed against it, so if you want to be paid then you should file your claim early. Let our wrongful death attorneys begin the investigation process quickly so we can identify whether you can file a lawsuit. Then we will handle all the legal paperwork.
Contact Our Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorney Today
Wrong way accidents are incredibly dangerous and are sadly increasing in the Atlanta metro area. Too many people are dying because motorists engage in risky behavior. Call our firm if a loved one was killed in this type of wreck.You might be entitled to compensatory damages, including loss of consortium. We do everything possible to bring home as much compensation as is allowed under Georgia law. We will also check if you can seek punitive damages for a drunk driving or intentional criminal act. These damages are awarded to punish a defendant, and you can keep them in addition to any compensatory damages. Contact us by calling (404) 529-3476 to schedule a free consultation with our office.