It’s obvious to any motorist (or should be) that driving the wrong way on a Boyd County highway is extremely dangerous. But wrong-way drivers still cause extremely violent car accidents throughout Kentucky. Any type of collision can cause severe disabilities and death, but a head-on crash between two vehicles usually causes catastrophe.
Not only is wrong-way driving incredibly dangerous, but it also would seem to be easy to avoid. As a responsible driver, you might not be able to imagine driving over a highway’s concrete median or even yellow dividing line, let alone entering the road through an exit ramp. And making such a terrible mistake is indeed very difficult if you are sober, paying attention and following the law. But not everyone on the road is that responsible.
Five ways a driver can end up going the wrong direction
Common reasons that drivers wind up going the wrong way on the highway include:
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving while drowsy
- Dementia or mental illness
- Unfamiliarity with the area leading to a mistake
In some cases, it isn’t the driver’s fault. The county or state responsible for maintaining the road sometimes fails to post proper signage, keep onramps and exits well lit or design entrances and exits so poorly that their use is not obvious. If someone enters the highway on the wrong side due to government negligence, the agency responsible might be liable for any resulting injuries.
Otherwise, it’s the wrong-way driver and their auto insurance company who must pay after a preventable car accident. As the victim or the survivor of someone killed in the crash, you might be entitled to substantial compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.