Most wrong-way accidents are caused by drunk drivers. Studies have found that driver impairment is one of the primary reasons these accidents have become more common in recent years. This is not to say that either wrong-way driving or impaired driving is necessarily new, but simply that statistics show there is a strong correlation between the two.
This does help explain how wrong-way accidents happen, as they otherwise often seem very avoidable. A sober driver in the middle of the day is highly unlikely to take the wrong ramp, pass multiple wrong-way signs and drive the wrong direction on the interstate. But an impaired driver at two in the morning is far more likely to do so simply because alcohol clouds their judgment, and visibility issues can make it more difficult to tell which direction they are supposed to be driving.
A risk for everyone
But a key thing to remember about these wrong-way accidents is that they are not just a risk for the impaired driver. Anyone who shares the road with them is also in danger, and wrong-way accidents are often head-on collisions that carry a statistically high chance of causing serious or fatal injuries.
It is important for drivers to understand the risks they face and always be on the lookout for wrong-way drivers. But these accidents happen quickly, and there may be little warning. Even an attentive and sober driver could certainly be involved in a high-speed crash caused by someone who is under the influence.
When this happens, drivers who have suffered serious injuries need to know how they can seek financial compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.