My opinion? Ride with a mirror and use it religiously. If you knew what was coming before it had to beep at you, this *probably* would have ended differently.
I agree. This is a one-in-a-million incident.
MHO: riding the "wrong" way only allows you to see the car that hits you. I can't see where it would have any advantages otherwise.
Because you know what's coming... and you can react to "it" - like a drunk driver that is obviously not keeping a straight line, a lorry that is being overtaken so it can not pass you with big enough margin - and so on. I am not saying that is *always* good, but hey - it is a matter of judgment.