Head-on collisions and wrong-way traffic accidents result in some of the worst injuries that we see here at DJC Law. A recent wreck during morning rush-hour traffic in Austin is a timely reminder that these accidents can cost motorists their life.
Man Veers Into Oncoming Traffic
According to Patch, a man in his 30s veered onto the 500 block of South Pleasant Valley Road during rush hour traffic for reasons unknown. Because the man was going the wrong way, he collided with two other vehicles that were traveling northbound.
The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was killed and pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two women who were injured in the other vehicles were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to make a recovery. The collisions caused the shutdown of traffic on the road for the remainder of the morning.
Typical Causes of Head-On Collisions
No one yet knows why the man mentioned in the Patch article swerved into oncoming traffic. However, there are some common reasons for these collisions, including:
- Intoxication;
- Fatigue or drowsiness;
- Recklessness, often brought on by drugs;
- Criminal activity, as the driver tries to avoid the police;
- Confusion;
- Distracted driving; and
- Missing lane markers or traffic signals.
Head-on collisions cause a disproportionate amount of traffic fatalities—about five times more than you would expect given the low number of head-on collisions.
How to Protect Yourself from Head-On Collisions
There is very little that unsuspecting motorists can do to prevent a head-on collision after a driver enters their lane. However, alert motorists can try the following:
- Always drive close to the shoulder of your road, particularly in the evening. Some head-on collisions are caused accidentally, after a drowsy or intoxicated driver drifts into your lane. By driving near the shoulder, you give yourself enough room to possibly avoid a collision.
- Be prepared to hit the brakes. Even if a collision is unavoidable, you can minimize the forces generated by the collision by reducing your speed.
- Think twice before swerving. Yes, swerving might allow you to avoid getting hit—but you might swerve into oncoming traffic yourself. All this does is endanger more people and does not protect you at all.
Lastly, remember to call the police if you see someone driving in an erratic manner. Report the vehicle, location, and license plate number (if you could catch it). The driver might be intoxicated, and the police can pull them over before they injure someone.
Experienced Car Accident Injury Lawyer in Austin
If you have been injured in a wrong-way collision, please consult with a car accident attorney right away to consider what compensation you can receive.
At DJC Law, we have helped countless auto accident victims just like you receive money to pay for medical bills, replace lost wages, and repair their vehicles. To find out whether you have a legal claim against the other driver, please contact us today.
You can schedule your no-risk, free consultation by calling 512-888-9999.
