Storm Drains
Andrew,
yes the type of drain that you encountered is normal. Due to the sometimes abnormal volume of water and other items that can pottentially clog a normal sewer drain that is the style they came up with. However most of the time the bars run in opposing directions to the flow of traffic. What you encountered if I understand it correctly is a groos error in placement of that grate. Sorry to hear of your accident it sucks!