Accidents that occur on a freeway, highway, or other high-speed road are inherently more dangerous due to the speeds involved. While it is very important that drivers always use the utmost care when driving, this is especially true when drivers are operating their vehicles on the highway. Drivers should always pay complete attention to what they are doing, and they should avoid driving while distracted while on the highway.
It goes without saying that the dangers of highway driving only increase when a driver is operating their vehicle on the wrong side of the road. While most highway on-ramps and off-ramps are clearly marked, an intoxicated or distracted driver may not see these signs or road markings, and he or she may end up traveling the wrong way on a high-speed road. This puts not just the wrong-way driver at risk but also anyone else who unfortunately happens to be traveling in the oncoming direction.
Whenever an intoxicated or distracted driver ends up traveling the wrong way on a one-way road, or is traveling in the wrong direction on the highway, an accident is very likely to occur. When it does, the driver who caused the accident may be held responsible for any injuries caused as a result of their negligence. This can be done through either a negligence lawsuit, if the accident victim survived, or a wrongful death lawsuit, if the victim died as a result of the accident. In either event, the plaintiff will need to show that the other driver violated a duty of care he or she owed to the injured party. It must also be established that the negligent act of the defendant was the cause of the victim’s injuries.