Wrong-Way Driver Car Accidents: What to Know

A wrong-way car accident is one of the most terrifying types of crashes. It’s also one of the most dangerous. These accidents happen when a driver travels in the opposite direction of traffic, often at high speeds, leaving other drivers with little time to react.

Wrong-way collisions are more than just rare mistakes (especially since they’re increasing) — this type of accident can result in serious injuries or even death. If you or a loved one has been hurt in this type of crash, it’s important to speak with experienced car accident lawyers in Allentown who can help you understand your rights and options.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how often wrong-way driving crashes happen and what you need to know to stay safe on the road in Pennsylvania. We’ll also discuss what to do if you see someone driving the wrong way and when to call a lawyer.

How Often Do People Go the Wrong Way on the Highway?

Wrong-way crashes may seem rare, but they happen more often than you might think, and these numbers are only rising. Across the United States, hundreds of people are killed each year in wrong-way accidents. 

According to data from recent years, the number of deadly wrong-way crashes on highways has been rising. In fact, studies show that thousands of these accidents happen annually, with over 100 wrong-way accident deaths in Pennsylvania each year. Many of them occur at night or during the early morning hours when visibility is low and drivers are more likely to be tired or impaired.

The danger of wrong-way crashes lies in how they happen. Most involve head-on collisions, which are among the most violent types of crashes. When two vehicles are traveling toward each other at high speeds, the force of the impact can be devastating. Even at lower speeds, serious injuries are common.

Certain areas are also more prone to wrong-way driving, especially places with lots of highway ramps, confusing road layouts, or poor lighting. While wrong-way crashes can happen anywhere, they’re most often reported on divided highways or interstates. There, vehicles travel at high speeds, and it’s harder for drivers to stop or swerve out of the way.

How Does Wrong-Way Driving Happen?

Driving on the wrong side of the road almost never happens on purpose. In most cases, drivers don’t even realize they’re heading the wrong way until it’s too late. So how does it happen? Let’s look at some of the most common causes.

Fatigued or Drowsy Driving

Driving while sleepy can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Fatigued drivers may miss signs, make poor decisions, or fall asleep at the wheel altogether. On unfamiliar roads, a tired driver might turn onto an off-ramp by mistake, entering the highway from the wrong direction and end up driving against traffic.

Cognitive Impairment

Drivers with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments may become easily confused while driving. This can lead to dangerous wrong-way driving mistakes, like turning into oncoming traffic or missing clear warning signs. 

Unclear Signage or Confusing Roads

Some roads are simply hard to navigate. Poor lighting, worn-out pavement markings, missing or unclear signs, and complex intersections can all lead to confusion. In areas with lots of one-way streets or highway exits close to entrances, even cautious drivers can end up going the wrong way if signs aren’t easy to see or understand.

Lack of Local Knowledge

Travelers or out-of-town drivers are at higher risk for wrong-way driving because they’re not familiar with the area. If you’re relying on a GPS and trying to make a last-minute turn, you might miss a warning sign or mistake an exit for an entrance.

Bad Weather

Heavy rain, fog, or snow can make it harder to see road signs and pavement markings. Slippery roads can also lead to missed turns or overcorrections, pushing drivers onto the wrong side of the road.

Drugs and Alcohol

Impaired driving plays a major role in wrong-way crashes. Many of these accidents involve drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Impaired drivers often have poor judgment and slower reaction times, making it more likely they’ll enter a highway the wrong way — and less likely they’ll notice their mistake in time to fix it.

What Should You Do if You’re Driving in the Wrong Direction?

Realizing you’re driving the wrong way on a street or highway can be terrifying, but what you do next could save your life and the lives of others. If you find yourself going against traffic, stay calm. Panicking can lead to sharp turns or sudden stops, which might cause a crash. 

Instead, take a deep breath and follow these steps:

1. Pull Over Immediately (If It’s Safe): Look for a shoulder, median, or open area where you can stop your vehicle. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, turn on your hazard lights so others can see you.
2. Don’t Try To U-Turn on the Highway: On a busy road or interstate, turning around in traffic can make things worse. Instead, stop your car and wait for a break in traffic or for help to arrive.
3. Call 911: Tell the dispatcher where you are and explain that you’re driving the wrong way. They can send help, alert other drivers, and may even help you exit the road safely.
4. Do Not Drive Further: Even if you think you can get off at the next exit, it’s too dangerous to keep driving against traffic. Stay where you are until help arrives or until it’s completely safe to move your car.

Wrong-way driving can happen to anyone, particularly when tired, lost, or confused. If it happens to you, the most important thing is to act quickly but calmly to avoid making a bad situation worse.

What Should I Do If I See Someone Driving the Wrong Direction?

Seeing a wrong-way driver can feel like a scene out of a movie. However, it’s very real and very dangerous. Whether you’re in a car, on a motorcycle, riding a bike, or walking near traffic, knowing how to react can keep you safe.

If You’re Driving a Car or Truck

If you see headlights coming toward you, move to the right side of your lane or off the road if possible. Avoid swerving sharply unless absolutely necessary.

Next, flash your headlights and honk your horn. This may alert the wrong-way driver and give them a chance to correct themselves.

Finally, call 911 right away. Give the dispatcher your location and the direction the wrong-way driver is traveling. The sooner they know, the sooner they can alert others and send help.

If You’re Riding a Motorcycle

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in wrong-way crashes. Because of this, make sure you always scan ahead for headlights or vehicles in unexpected places.

If you see a wrong-way driver nearby, get off the road quickly and safely. Don’t try to block or stop the other driver — just focus on protecting yourself and reporting the incident.

If You’re on a Bicycle

Move onto a sidewalk, grass, or shoulder if you see a wrong-way-driving vehicle. If you suspect a negligent driver is nearby, wait for them to pass or call for help before continuing.

Finally, use lights and reflective gear. This helps you stay visible, particularly at night or in low-visibility conditions.

If You’re a Pedestrian

If you’re walking near a busy street and hear or see something unusual — like a car coming the wrong way — move away from the road as quickly as you can. Reporting what you saw can prevent a crash down the road and possibly save lives, so make sure you also call 911 whenever it’s safe to do so.

What Injuries Are Common With Wrong-Way Driving?

Wrong-way crashes are often so severe because they usually involve head-on collisions at high speeds. Unlike rear-end or side-impact crashes, there’s little time to slow down or avoid impact. 

As a result, the injuries tend to be serious, life-altering, or even fatal. Read on for some of the most common injuries seen in wrong-way accidents.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Head injuries are common in high-speed collisions. A traumatic brain injury can range from a mild concussion to permanent brain damage. Victims may suffer memory loss, mood changes, trouble concentrating, or even lose the ability to walk or speak. TBIs often require long-term care and can affect every part of a person’s life.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spine can result in partial or complete paralysis. In a wrong-way crash, the force of impact can cause the spinal cord to stretch, tear, or fracture. Even less severe spinal injuries can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and reduced quality of life.

Neck and Back Injuries

Whiplash is a common injury in any crash but can be especially intense in head-on collisions. Other neck and back injuries may include herniated discs, nerve damage, or soft tissue strains that cause long-term pain and stiffness. These injuries may not show up right away but can become worse over time if not treated.

Broken Bones and Fractures

The violent impact of a wrong-way driving crash can break ribs, arms, legs, hips, or facial bones. In some cases, victims may need surgery, pins, or plates to heal correctly. Recovery from fractures can take weeks or months and may involve physical therapy or assistive devices like crutches or braces.

Internal Injuries

Organs like the liver, kidneys, or lungs can be damaged in a crash, even if there are no visible wounds. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening and may require emergency surgery. These types of injuries are often hard to detect without medical tests, so it’s important to get checked out after any serious crash.

Wrongful Death

Tragically, many wrong-way crashes result in fatalities. Families left behind must cope not only with the emotional loss but also with financial burdens such as funeral costs and lost income. In these cases, pursuing wrongful death and survival claims can help families left behind pursue justice and closure.

How To Prevent Wrong-Way Drivers?

While you can’t control the actions of other drivers, there are many ways cities, states, and even individuals can help reduce wrong-way accidents. These include better signs, technology, driver awareness, and accountability.

Better Signage and Road Design

One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent wrong-way driving is clear signage. Some of the signs that transportation departments might implement include the following:

• “WRONG WAY” and “DO NOT ENTER” signs at highway exits and one-way streets
• Large, one-way arrows painted on the pavement
• Reflective markers that appear red to wrong-way drivers and white to others
• LED-enhanced warning signs that flash when a car enters the road from the wrong direction

These tools help alert drivers who may be confused, impaired, or unfamiliar with the area. Placing them in highly visible spots — especially at night — can make a big difference.

Technology and Detection Systems

Some areas have installed cameras and sensors to detect wrong-way drivers in real time. These systems can alert nearby drivers through digital highway signs and send a quick response to police. While it’s not common yet, this technology could become more common as cities look for smarter ways to prevent crashes.

Driver Awareness and Education

Public safety campaigns and driver education courses can also help decrease wrong-way driving accidents. Teaching new drivers how to recognize and avoid wrong-way roads and reminding experienced drivers to stay alert can reduce the risk of accidents. It’s also important to educate people about the dangers of impaired and drowsy driving.

Accountability Through Legal Action

Sometimes, preventing future wrong-way crashes means holding reckless drivers accountable. Many of these accidents are caused by drunk, impaired, or distracted drivers — people who make the choice to get behind the wheel when they shouldn’t.

By pursuing legal action against negligent drivers, victims and their families can help create change. Lawsuits aren’t just about seeking compensation. Ultimately, they send a message that unsafe driving has serious consequences.

How To Establish Fault in Wrong-Way Driving Accidents

When you’re hurt in a wrong-way crash, one of the first questions is: Who was at fault? Most of the time, the wrong-way driver is legally responsible. However, proving that takes more than just pointing fingers. 

Insurance companies will need a lot of evidence to provide just compensation, especially if you’re dealing with the driver of a stolen car or an unlicensed driver. To hold someone accountable, you need to show that they were truly negligent.

In legal terms, negligence means the driver failed to act with reasonable care. To prove this, your lawyer will look at four key elements:

• Duty: Every driver has a duty to follow traffic laws and drive safely.
  
• Breach: The wrong-way driver broke that duty by entering a road from the wrong direction, ignoring signs, or driving while impaired.
  
• Causation: Their actions caused the crash.
  
• Damages: You were injured or suffered losses as a result.

Evidence like police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and medical records can help support your claim. The sooner you begin gathering this information, the stronger your case may be.

Do I Need a Lawyer After Being in a Wrong-Way Collision?

If you were hurt in a wrong-way driving accident, talking to an Allentown motorcycle accident lawyer is one of the best steps you can take. These crashes are serious, and the injuries often come with high medical bills, lost income, and long-term pain. Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement, but it’s rarely enough to cover everything.

If you use an experienced attorney, you can increase the compensation you may receive. For instance, our team has secured the following settlements for car accident victims in the Lehigh Valley:

• $3.75 Million car accident settlement
• $2 Million MVA and dram shop settlement
• $1.75 Million motorcycle settlement
• $1.66 Million car accident settlement
• $1.35 Million motorcycle accident settlement

A personal injury lawyer can also help you understand your rights, gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and file a lawsuit if necessary. They can be especially helpful in more nuanced cases, such as if the other party is an uninsured or unlicensed driver.

You don’t need to go through this alone. A lawyer can handle the legal side while you focus on healing.

Talk To a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was hurt in a wrong-way driving collision, an experienced attorney can help you get the answers, support, and compensation you need. At Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, we understand how devastating these crashes can be, and we’re here to fight for you every step of the way.

We listen to our clients’ stories, explain their options in plain language, and guide them through the claims process from start to finish. Plus, you won’t pay anything unless we win your case. 

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.