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Common Causes of Wrong-Way Accidents

Common Causes of Wrong-Way Accidents

Wrong-way collisions are serious incidents that can result in devastating damages and injuries. These types of accidents tend to happen unexpectedly to innocent drivers who suddenly find another car driving toward them from the opposite direction.

When this happens, there is often little time to react or potentially nowhere to go to get out of the way before an impact occurs. This is the reason that these types of car accidents are so deadly, especially when one or both of the drivers are moving at high speeds, such as on the freeway or when the guilty driver is speeding.

If you or a loved one are the victim of a wrong-way driving accident, contact the trusted Kentucky car accident attorneys at McCoy & Sparks. We have years of experience handling these kinds of cases and know what it takes to help our clients seek justice and get the compensation they deserve.

Wrong-Way Accidents in Kentucky

While wrong-way accidents are not the most common type of collision, they tend to be severe and even fatal when they do occur. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents seem to be happening more often across the state of Kentucky. Over the past couple of years, numerous wrong-way crashes have been reported across the state with devastating results.

In January 2019, six people were killed in a wrong-way accident in Lexington on I-75. Reports showed that the guilty driver had a blood-alcohol content that was nearly four times the legal limit. In September 2019, three people were killed, and another was injured after a drunk driver entered I-75 going the wrong direction. After the accident, the driver attempted to flee but was eventually apprehended and charged with murder.  

In April 2021, the at-fault driver was killed, and a Lexington police officer was injured during a wrong-way collision on New Circle near Nicholasville Rd. On June 5th, 2021, six people—including four children—were killed when a driver was headed the wrong way on I-75. The following day, another wrong-way collision occurred, killing the at-fault driver on New Circle near Harrodsburg Rd.

Just recently, on March 17th, 2022, three people were killed in a wrong-way accident in Graves County when a driver was headed in the wrong direction on Purchase Parkway. The reason is yet unknown, but the police did order a toxicology report.

These are just a few of the many wrong-way collisions that have occurred across Kentucky in the past couple of years. While six out of ten wrong-way collisions are said to be the result of intoxication, various other factors can contribute to these kinds of accidents, including poorly constructed intersections. To prevent these tragic accidents from continuing to be an issue, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is looking into statewide opportunities to improve infrastructure.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Wrong-Way Accidents?

Even with potential improvements, it is important for drivers to pay close attention to their actions and the actions of others when out on the road to avoid these tragic accidents. Some of the most common causes of wrong-way collisions include:

  • Drunk driving
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs
  • Texting and driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Lack of clear signage or confusing signs
  • Poor lighting
  • Bad road or intersection design
  • Old age and confusion
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Speeding

Wrong-Way Collision Injuries

Wrong-way accidents tend to result in severe damages and injuries that can require expensive medical treatments and repairs, not to mention the emotional trauma of experiencing such an accident. If you are involved in a wrong-way collision, you will need to work with an attorney to ensure the guilty party is held responsible and the insurance company pays you the full settlement amount that you deserve.

Some common injuries that result from wrong-way accidents include the following:

How the Premier Personal Injury Attorneys at McCoy & Sparks in Central Kentucky Can Help

Again, wrong-way collisions are often severe and even fatal, so it’s crucial that you work with an attorney to ensure you see the best possible outcome. Despite a party being obviously at fault, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to offer reduced settlement amounts. Furthermore, handling a personal injury case and potentially a criminal investigation can be challenging and overwhelming, especially if you are the loved one of someone who died in the accident. An attorney can help guide you through the process every step of the way to avoid any confusion and missteps.

Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade and counting, McCoy & Sparks represents thousands of clients with a focus on providing premium service and delivering superior results. Our goal is to help you reach the best possible result. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.