Wrong-way drivers are very likely to cause accidents simply because oncoming drivers don’t expect them to be there. This is especially true when these accidents happen on highways and interstates. People using a divided highway never expect oncoming cars and may be traveling at a relatively high rate of speed, so they have a very limited reaction time to something as unexpected as another vehicle coming around the corner toward them.
But why do these accidents happen in the first place? Anyone who has driven on highways knows just how controlled traffic lanes are. It’s part of what makes them relatively safe compared to many residential and rural roads. On-ramps and off-ramps help ensure that people are always heading in the proper direction, so a driver who is going the wrong way has made an egregious error by driving the wrong way up an off-ramp.
Alcohol impairment
There are times when people get confused and end up going the wrong direction. However, most of the time, studies have shown, alcohol impairment is to blame. A driver has had too much to drink and mistakenly uses an off-ramp as an on-ramp. Their impairment is also the reason they don’t realize the mistake, and they may not even understand that they’re heading the wrong direction until they’ve caused an accident.
These crashes can be devastating for victims in other vehicles. They often happen at a combined speed of around 150 miles an hour, meaning there are very high chances of fatal or life-altering injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. Many people find themselves dealing with lifelong disabilities, extensive medical bills and a massive reduction in their earning capacity.
For all these reasons and more, those who have been injured by wrong-way drivers need to know what steps to take to seek the compensation they deserve. Having experienced legal guidance can help.