On the interstate, most drivers will never see a vehicle coming the wrong way down the road. Traffic is always divided so that lanes traveling in different directions have a median or a concrete wall between them. This is part of the reason why the interstate is so safe, because head-on collisions are almost nonexistent.
However, they sometimes do occur, and they have a high chance of being fatal. These crashes happen at very high speeds, and they’re often unexpected because drivers who are traveling in the correct direction never anticipate that someone would be coming toward them. So why would this happen?
Driver impairment
The main reason for wrong-way accidents on the interstate is that drivers are impaired. This can happen from using recreational drugs or from using alcohol. But there’s some level of cognitive impairment that leads to such a critical mistake.
It is only due to this impairment that the driver gets confused about which ramp they are supposed to use to enter the highway, for instance. Impairment may also cause them to overlook the wrong-way signs on the ramp and on the interstate itself. As a result, these drivers may not even realize they’re going the wrong direction until they see headlights coming toward them, and by then it may be too late to avoid the crash.
Have you lost a loved one?
These accidents are often fatal. If you have lost a loved one or suffered serious injuries yourself, then it’s important to know what legal steps you can take. You may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, lost earnings and more.