Wrong-Way Car Accidents in Indiana: Causes, Injuries, and What to Do Next

Originally published August 2020. Updated July 2026 to include additional causes, psychological injury guidance, post-accident steps, and Indiana comparative fault information.

Indiana’s interstates and highways are far from immune to wrong-way car accidents. A quick web search for Indiana wrong-way accidents will produce a list of statewide news stories involving high-profile crashes, many involving traumatic or fatal injuries, and nearly all of them preventable.

Wrong-way accidents are unlike any other crash that occurs on Indiana’s roadways. When an adverse driver approaches you head-on at highway or interstate speeds, it is often without warning and with little or no time for the victim to react, and in too many cases, it results in wrongful death.

Attorney Matt Boulton has spent more than 30 years helping Hoosiers injured in serious car accidents, including victims and families affected by wrong-way crashes. This article reviews some of the common causes of these accidents, various types of resulting injuries, and next steps for those who have been involved in such a collision.

How Dangerous Are Wrong-Way Car Accidents?

The numbers behind wrong-way crashes confirm the danger associated with these collisions and, unfortunately, also suggest there may be a growing problem.

According to a 2026 report by the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety, between 2014 and 2023 a total of 4,164 fatal wrong-way accidents occurred on divided highways throughout the United States, resulting in 5,730 individual fatalities.

Specific to Indiana during the same timeframe, the report cited a total of 105 wrong-way fatalities, which accounted for 5.2% of the total number (2,007) of our state’s divided highway fatalities.

Additionally, if you take a closer look at the 2026 report, it highlights another harrowing concern: during the 9-year time period of data collection, it was revealed that the total number of wrong-way crashes actually increased, raising alarm bells for authorities and safety officials.

The extreme danger associated with wrong-way accidents continues to be tied to the high incidence of traumatic and fatal injuries, all of which can be attributed to the crash dynamics and physics that occur between two vehicles striking one another head-on.

In a typical rear-end collision, the vehicles involved are traveling in the same direction, and the force of impact is, in part, divided by the difference between their two speeds. In a head-on crash, the traveling speeds of both vehicles are added together, leading to a much more significant total force. Thus, two cars traveling at 60 miles per hour striking each other head-on produce an impact equivalent to hitting a stationary wall at 120 miles per hour. The human body is not built to withstand that type of force without sustaining traumatic or fatal injuries.

Common Causes of Wrong-Way Car Accidents in Indiana

Attorney Boulton has reviewed a significant number of Indiana accident reports and conducted investigations into wrong-way crashes that have occurred throughout Indiana. Based on his findings, the causes of these collisions are rarely random and often fall under one of the following categories.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Impaired driving continues to be the leading cause of wrong-way accidents in Indiana as well as across the country. An impaired driver is far less likely to recognize wrong-way signage, respond to oncoming headlights, or correct course once they have entered a highway or interstate traveling in the wrong direction.

It’s also worth noting that the consequences of a wrong-way accident involving impairment often extend beyond the personal injury claim. Depending on the evidence and injuries involved, the impaired driver may also face serious criminal charges, including felonies, in addition to civil liability to the victims.

Fatigued Driving

Medical studies have proven that a sleep-deprived driver experiences many of the same cognitive impairments as someone who is intoxicated, including slower reaction times, poor judgment, and an increased likelihood of confusion about their surroundings. Fatigued drivers can easily miss wrong-way signs or fail to recognize they have turned the wrong direction onto an interstate ramp until it is too late.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of fatigue-related wrong-way crashes occur between midnight and 6 a.m., though late afternoon hours also carry elevated risk, as these accidents can and do happen at any time of day.

Medical Conditions

Not every wrong-way driver is impaired or drowsy. A number of these collisions are caused by a driver who experiences a sudden medical event, such as a stroke, seizure, diabetic episode, or other cognitive or physical condition that affects their ability to operate a vehicle safely.

These accidents can result in additional case complexities, but a driver experiencing a medical condition can still be held liable for a wrong-way collision, particularly if the condition was known and the driver chose to get behind the wheel anyway.

Distracted Driving

A driver who is looking at a phone, adjusting an in-dash display, or otherwise not paying attention to the road can quickly fail to see a wrong-way sign or turn the wrong direction at an interchange or off-ramp.

Indiana’s hands-free law exists precisely because distracted driving produces split-second errors with catastrophic consequences, yet wrong-way entries on interstates continue to happen because distracted drivers make what seems like a routine turn but is in fact a life-threatening mistake.

Elderly Drivers

Age-related factors, including slower reflexes, reduced vision, confusion, and the effects of certain medications, are behind a meaningful number of wrong-way crashes in Indiana.

To help reduce the risk of elderly wrong-way crashes, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles oversees a Driver Ability Program that allows investigative requests to be made on behalf of Indiana drivers who may no longer be able to safely operate a vehicle.

While the circumstances are often tragic, when a wrong-way driver’s age is determined to be a cause, the liability laws apply equally, leaving victims within their legal rights to recover compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Driving Alone Without Passengers

While it’s a commonality that’s rarely mentioned, accident reports and data have shown that a large number of wrong-way accidents are caused by a defendant driver who is also operating a vehicle without passengers.

To be clear, driving without passengers is not a leading cause on its own, as there are usually one or more attributing wrong-way crash factors, such as those listed above. However, if a driver is impaired, distracted, fatigued, or otherwise compromised, without a second voice or set of eyes to potentially help them avoid a mistake, the odds of a wrong-way crash increase significantly.

Poor or Confusing Road Signage

While not as common, it’s worth noting that signage issues have previously played a role in a number of wrong-way crashes. For example, in some wrong-way cases, it has been determined that missing, faded, or poorly placed signage at highway entrances and exits has contributed to a driver entering a roadway in the wrong direction.

It’s important to know that when roadway design or signage deficiencies are thought to play a role in a wrong-way accident, there may be additional parties beyond the driver who bear some responsibility for a victim’s damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can help to ensure any potential defendants are identified and appropriately placed on notice.

Injuries Caused by Wrong-Way Car Accidents

Because wrong-way crashes are almost always head-on collisions, the injuries they produce tend to be among the most severe seen in any type of car accident.

Common injuries in wrong-way accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and crushing injuries
• Loss of limbs or amputations
• Severe internal organ damage
• Serious burn injuries in cases involving fire
• Wrongful death

Due to the wide array of injuries sustained in these collisions, it’s not uncommon for wrong-way accident victims to require long-term medical care.

Attorney Boulton has witnessed and handled cases in which victims are permanently unable to return to work or struggle to perform daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals. When injuries impede a person’s professional or personal lifestyle, they may require ongoing professional assistance, which is one of the most important reasons not to settle a wrong-way accident claim too quickly or for less than it is truly worth.

Low-Speed Wrong-Way Crashes Can Also Be Very Serious

Given the physics that dictate these accidents, it should never be assumed that a wrong-way crash at lower speeds shouldn’t be treated seriously. In fact, a wrong-way accident that occurs at 30 or 40 miles per hour can result in many of the same life-altering conditions as one that occurs at higher speeds.

Attorney Boulton has investigated low-speed collisions that left victims with one or more serious injuries, including concussions, whiplash, spinal injuries, and significant trauma from airbag deployment and seat restraints.

If you were involved in a wrong-way accident that didn’t seem catastrophic at the time of the collision, that’s still not a reason to delay medical evaluation or assume your injuries are minor. Wrong-way accidents have the potential to leave victims with delayed and/or internal injuries that don’t present until days or weeks following the crash.

The Emotional and Psychological Impact

The physical injuries from a wrong-way accident are only part of what victims deal with in the weeks and months following the collision. Those who recover fully from their physical injuries can still often carry significant psychological effects long after the crash.

No one expects to encounter a vehicle coming directly at them at highway or interstate speeds. When it happens, the shock, helplessness, and trauma of that experience can linger for months or years. Many wrong-way accident victims will report:

• Recurring nightmares and flashbacks
• Anxiety about driving or riding in a vehicle
• Depression and emotional withdrawal
• Difficulty sleeping
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These conditions are real, they are recognized under Indiana law, and they are compensable as part of a personal injury claim.

Attorney Boulton has helped many of his clients recover compensation for the emotional and psychological experiences that resulted from a serious collision. And while they typically require documentation from a mental health professional, they deserve the same attention and treatment as any physical injury.

Why Evidence Collection Can Be Difficult in Wrong-Way Crashes

In a minor fender-bender, the people involved are usually able to speak with witnesses, photograph the scene, and interact with responding officers while the accident report is being completed. Wrong-way accident victims often are unable to take these steps.

Wrong-way crashes frequently result in victims being immediately transported by emergency services. Many victims have no clear memory of the minutes leading up to or following the collision. As such, the window to collect firsthand evidence closes fast, and by the time family members or a friend arrives at the scene, much of the physical evidence may already be gone or in the hands of third parties.

Among other reasons, evidence collection is one of the most practical reasons to involve an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Not only does it increase the chances that liability and legal rights are firmly established, it also helps to ensure the strongest case possible is built on their behalf.

Attorney Boulton can step in to preserve evidence, work with his network of accident reconstruction professionals, locate and interview witnesses while memories are still fresh, and obtain police reports and any supplemental documentation. He has the resources and professional relationships to build an accurate picture of what happened even when the victim was in no condition to document it themselves.

What to Do After a Wrong-Way Car Accident in Indiana

If you or a passenger were involved in a wrong-way crash and are able to take any steps at the scene, the following actions can make a real difference in your ability to pursue a claim.

Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay. As we have covered in the context of delayed car accident injuries, serious trauma does not always announce itself right away. Always get checked out by a doctor before assuming you are fine.

Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company without an attorney. The other driver’s insurer may contact you quickly, particularly in a case involving serious injuries. You are not required to speak with them, and anything you say can be used to reduce what they pay you.

Document what you can, when you can. If you are physically able, take photos at the scene. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses before they leave. Note the time, weather conditions, and anything you remember about the other vehicle’s behavior before impact.

Contact an attorney before signing anything or giving a statement. Wrong-way accident claims involve significant damages, complex liability questions, and insurance companies that are motivated to settle quickly and for as little as possible. The sooner an attorney is involved, the better protected your claim will be.

How Indiana’s Comparative Fault Rules Apply

Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.

In a wrong-way crash where the other driver was clearly traveling in the wrong direction, establishing liability might seem straightforward, but insurance companies will still look for any opportunity to assign some portion of fault to the other driver. For instance, they may argue that the victim could have taken evasive action or was speeding themselves. Having an attorney who anticipates and counters those arguments from the beginning is important to protecting the full value of your claim.

Contact Attorney Matt Boulton After a Wrong-Way Accident

If you or a loved one was injured in a wrong-way car accident in Indiana, you should be focused exclusively on your health and personal recovery, not dealing with an insurance company or making a potential mistake with your claim.

Attorney Matt Boulton has spent the entirety of his professional career helping Indiana accident victims fully understand their legal rights and seek maximum compensation for their injuries, including those that were caused by a wrong-way collision.

Specifically, attorney Boulton has dedicated 30 years to a wide array of Indiana personal injury claims, including:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Dog bite injuries
• Pedestrian accidents
• Wrongful death lawsuits
• Slip and fall injuries
• Nursing home abuse
• Negligent security

Boulton Law Group offers a Zero Fee Guarantee to every wrong-way car accident client. This promise means there is no charge for a case review and nothing is owed to the firm unless your case is settled or won at trial. Our guarantee helps to ensure every injured Hoosier has equal access to award-winning legal representation.

To speak with attorney Boulton directly, call 317-350-2680. Or you can send your story to us by using the firm’s confidential, free contact form.