Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on February 4, 2016
Fatal Accident Reported in Robertson County Wednesday Morning
A head-on collision claimed the life of a 70-year-old woman in Springfield, Tennessee, early Wednesday morning.
A report by wkrn.com states that the accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Highway 76 near Gum Station Road. The woman’s vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on. Emergency responders soon arrived at the accident scene and transported the woman to Northcrest Medical Center to receive treatment for her injuries, but she later died at the hospital.
The driver of the other vehicle that was involved in the accident sustained non-life threatening injuries. Police and the Tennessee Highway Patrol closed Highway 76 for several hours as they cleared the accident scene and investigated the cause of the collision.
Another report by Smokey Barn News says that both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident. Toxicology tests have been ordered by law enforcement to determine if drugs or alcohol might have played a role in causing the accident.
What Are Common Causes of Head-On Collisions?
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. Because they involve massive amounts of force that is often directed at the drivers and passengers of vehicles, the injuries they can cause can be severe, disabling, and even fatal. Many safeguards have been put in place to help reduce the risks of head-on collisions, including guard rails and medians, but there are still many scenarios and circumstances that can cause them to occur.
Some of the most common causes of head-on collisions include:
Areas of the roadway with double yellow divider lines are areas where passing other vehicles is illegal due to limited visibility or high speeds. If drivers ignore that and attempt to pass regardless of those facts, they can put themselves at serious risk of striking another vehicle head-on due to not having enough to slow down or move back into their original lane.
One-way streets are typically clear marked using street signs and “Do Not Enter” signs, but drivers who are intoxicated, fatigued, distracted, or driving during times of low visibility may miss those signs and enter a roadway driving in the wrong direction. Wrong-way accidents on interstates frequently lead to fatal head-on collisions due to the high speeds that are often involved when vehicles collide.
Many intersections use green arrows to indicate when it’s safe for drivers to turn left. Attempting to turn left without a green arrow—especially if the intersection has limited visibility of oncoming traffic—can put you at risk of turning into the path of a vehicle and getting hit head-on. It’s important for all drivers to wait for a green arrow before making left turns when oncoming traffic is moving at high speeds or when it’s difficult to see if the roadway is clear.
All it takes is a vehicle drifting to the left or right for a split second for a head-on collision to occur. Drivers who are distracted due to using a cellphone or other electronic device, or drivers who are sleepy and fatigued may lose their focus on the road momentarily, but that’s enough time for their vehicle to move into the path of oncoming traffic, putting them at risk for a serious head-on car accident.
Although any type of car accident can be dangerous, head-on collisions are statistically among the most likely to cause victims to suffer serious and life-threatening injuries. By being aware of some of the most common causes of these accidents, drivers in Tennessee can reduce their risks and the risks that others face on roadways throughout the state.
If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law may be able to help you recover compensation for your accident-related expenses. To find out how we can assist your family during this difficult time, contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing a free online consultation form.
