Head-on collisions create a high risk of death and serious injury. As Orlando car accident attorneys, we hear horrifying stories following these crash claims. Often, these auto wrecks occur late in the evening or early morning hours when drivers are tired or have been drinking. When alcohol and fatigue impair a motorist’s faculties, their vehicle may easily drift across the roadway. Recently, a teenage girl, heading on a mission’s trip to the Domican Republic never had the opportunity to do what she loved. Tragically, a drunk driver traveling on the wrong side of the highway slammed into her small passenger vehicle. Upon impact, her car burst into flames and she never made it out.
Air bags can often reduce the incidence of fatal auto crashes. Depending on the speed of the two vehicles, lives can be spared. Often there is little warning that another driver is going to cross the road and innocent motorists have little ability to maneuver out of harm’s way. So, effective, new generation air bags are a vital, motor vehicle safety feature. Indeed, even when an unsuspecting driver observes an approaching car or truck traveling erratically, there may be insufficient time to react. Of course, even when there is adequate reaction time for a driver – the question arises: which direction should you turn?
Defensive driving experts have focused on the best tactics when a driver has time to react to a vehicle heading towards them. When there is some warning, a driver must decide whether to turn to the right, heading towards the roadside; or, turn to the left, moving into the opposite side of the road. It is clear that the greatest danger is to move across the road and risk running into other vehicles. Also, the at-fault driver may realize that he or she crossed the center line and moves back at the last moment. So, the safest course is to move to the right and off the road when confronted with a direct, head-on collision.
Working with law enforcement and accident reconstructionists, experience further demonstrates that it is safer to stay on one’s side of the road and turn away from any oncoming motor vehicle. Eliminating the risk of slamming into the approaching driver who may turn back onto his/her side of the road is a significant factor. Sadly, the facts of another case support these experts. A middle-age man was heading home after a late shift at work. He was driving along a two lane road when another vehicle approached him. Instead of the victim turning towards the right, the post-crash evidence and skid marks revealed he moved across the road. That evasive action sadly ended in tragedy.
When head-on auto accidents occur, the damage is significant and often disabling. The injury is serious and can prove fatal. Often clients require emergency treatment at the scene of the crash and need transport to local hospitals. When the immediate shock passes, there is much to deal with and that’s where we can help. Having handled serious car accident cases for more than twenty years, we have been providing immediate peace of mind to accident victims and their families.
