Most Nebraska drivers know that driving in the wrong direction on an entrance or exit ramp is extremely dangerous and can result in a serious car crash. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board has found that 3 percent of accidents are wrong-way crashes; however, these type of accidents are much more likely to be fatal or to result in serious injuries.
There has been a substantial amount of research conducted involving wrong-way accidents. In a study conducted by Virginia authorities, it was found that the fatality rate was 27 times higher for wrong-way accidents than other types of crashes. Additionally, the California Department of Transportation found that the fatality rate of wrong-way accidents was 12 times higher when compared to other types of highway crashes. Even further, a Michigan study concluded that 22 percent of wrong-way collisions were fatal while less than 1 percent of other highway accidents were fatal.
The NTSB found that many wrong-way accidents were caused by drunk drivers. Impaired drivers were identified as a serious safety concern in a 1984 study. In 1990, the NTSB recommended that toxicological testing and reporting should be standardized and that all drivers should be tested if they are involved in a fatal accident. The NTSB had also issued reviews of the problem in 2000 and been involved in a public forum in 2012.
Motor vehicle accidents of any type can result in serious injuries or even death. A person who suffers a serious injury in an accident that was caused by another driver might want to seek compensation for the damages that have been obtained by filing a lawsuit against the responsible party with the assistance of an attorney.