With some minor wrong-way accidents, the problem is just confusion. For instance, maybe someone who is used to driving in rural areas and is a rather young and inexperienced driver finds themselves in the city. It may be relatively easy to accidentally turn the wrong way down a one-way street simply because they are not used to the road design.
But the most devastating wrong-way accidents are the ones that happen on the interstate. If both vehicles are traveling at 75 mph, they have a combined impact speed of 150 mph. These accidents often result in severe injuries and fatalities – and yet, they should never happen because the interstate is specifically designed to prevent these crashes. So why do drivers still make such an egregious mistake and head the wrong way down the interstate?
Alcohol is the main cause
There are numerous reasons if you look at individual accidents, but statistics show that alcohol is the top cause. Impaired drivers are the ones who are most likely to make a mistake and get on the interstate going the wrong direction, later causing an accident.
This also means that many of these car accidents happen late at night, when impaired driving crashes are already more common and there are more drunk drivers on the road. Because it is dark out, it can be harder for them to see the signs telling them that they are heading in the wrong direction. Traffic levels are also lighter, so they may merge onto an empty interstate highway, meaning they do not immediately realize that they are heading in the wrong direction.
Seeking compensation
Have you been injured in an accident caused by a wrong-way driver? You need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.
