Posted in Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on September 18, 2015
Head-On Car Accident in Lafayette Kills 1, Injures 2
A head-on collision in Macon County, Tennessee, killed one man and injured two others on Wednesday afternoon near the city of Lafayette.
According to a report by wsmv.com, the accident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. when a Chevy Trailblazer drive by a 26-year-old woman was headed east. The woman attempted to pass a tractor-trailer in a no-passing zone on Highway 52 when her vehicle collided head-on with a Mercury Sable driven by a 36-year-old man near the intersection with Old Highway 52.
The impact of the collision caused the driver of the Mercury Sable to suffer serious injuries and the driver and a passenger of the Chevy Trailblazer to suffer non-life-threatening injuries. The 36-year-old man was initially revived at the accident scene by emergency responders, but he later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Police who responded to the accident scene say that the crash occurred on a stretch of Highway 52 where there’s a curve in the road that limits visibility. The driver who caused the accident may be charged pending the results of the preliminary investigation.
What are the Primary Causes of Head-On Collisions?
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of accidents that drivers and passengers can experience. Because they involve two vehicles colliding at impact zones that generate huge amounts of force on both the vehicles and the occupants inside the vehicles, these accidents are much more likely to cause victims to suffer serious and often life-threatening injuries.
There are a handful of common causes of head-on collisions that drivers can do their best to avoid, including:
Some stretches of roadways simply aren’t safe for passing, whether it’s due to limited visibility or high speed limits. These areas are indicated with solid yellow dividing lanes, and attempting to pass in these zones is not only illegal, but it also puts both the driver who decides to pass and other motorists at significant risk of being involved in a serious accident. Drivers who need to pass another vehicle should wait until they reach an area of the roadway where doing so is permitted and only attempt to pass when the other lane is clear.
Wrong-way accidents are another common cause of head-on collisions due to the fact that drivers often have very little time to react to vehicles that are traveling in the wrong direction. These types of accidents occur when drivers turn the wrong-way down one-way streets or enter highways and interstates by using exit ramps instead of on-ramps. Many wrong-way accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications, which can impair their sight and judgment.
On many roadways in Tennessee, vehicles traveling in opposite directions at high speeds are separated only by a painted line. Because vehicles are often less than a few feet apart, all it takes is a split second of a driver being distracted or taking their eyes off the road for their vehicle to drift over into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision. Because these accidents can occur without warning and cause such debilitating injuries, it’s vital for drivers to avoid distractions and keep their eyes on the road at all times while behind the wheel.
Head-on collisions are extremely dangerous for everyone involved, and the victims of these accidents can suffer injuries that range from debilitating to disabling to life-threatening. Although these types of accidents can’t be completely avoided, drivers can help reduce their risks of causing them by staying in their lanes, never drinking and driving, reading all road signs, and keeping their eyes and minds on the road at all times.
If you or someone you love was injured in a head-on collision, our Clarksville car accident attorneys want to help you get compensation for your accident-related expenses. Get in touch with Matt Hardin Law today by dialing (931) 274-7788 or filling out a free online consultation form.
