Florida Head-On Collision Lawyer: Dump Truck Overturns in Hernando County to Avoid Head-On Collision

July 16, 2019

A dump truck overturned in Hernando County while avoiding a head-on collision with an SUV, just a few days ago.

The dump truck was traveling eastbound when an SUV was passing several vehicles illegally, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

As the SUV approached the dump truck, the driver of the truck steered it into the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision.

The driver then lost control of the dump truck, causing it to overturn and spill lime rock gravel across SR-50.

The crash closed SR-50 from US-301 to SR-471 for several hours.

Anyone with information regarding the SUV involved is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol by calling 813-558-1800.

While head-on collisions account for just a small percentage of motor vehicle accidents in the United States, those involved in this type of crash are more likely to be severely injured than in other types of vehicle crashes. Head-on collisions account for only 2 percent of motor vehicle accidents, but the fatalities associated with these crashes account for 10 percent of all traffic accident fatalities. Head-on collisions are absolutely some of the most serious types of vehicle accident there can be. If victims of these accidents survive, they are usually left suffering from catastrophic injuries. Some of these injuries leave victims permanently disabled and/or disfigured.

In order to avoid causing a head-on collision, it is important to understand the main causes of these types of accidents.

The main causes of head-on collisions are:

• Distracted driving: A distracted driver that is texting on their phone, talking on their phone, applying makeup, fiddling with radio dials, eating, trying to fix their GPS, etc, is highly likely to veer into the oncoming lane. It doesn’t take long for that to happen.
• Wrong way drivers: Drivers may become confused or disoriented and drive on to a highway using the off-ramp instead of the on-ramp. They may even turn the wrong way down a one-way street. It is estimated that nearly 75 percent of all wrong way driving incidents are due to the impairment of the wrong way driver.
• Drunk driving: Drunk drivers are notorious for driving the wrong way and/or speeding. Drunk drivers may be unable to stay in their own lane, which can lead to a head-on crash in the same way that distracted driving can.
• Drowsy driving: Drowsy driving can affect anyone. Driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. When a person is sleep-deprived, their reflexes are diminished and the drowsy driver could fall asleep at the wheel.
• Hazardous road conditions: Potholes, road debris, bad lighting, lack of dividing lines and other road problems can result in a driver veering out of their lane and into the path of oncoming traffic.

If you happen to see a vehicle coming toward you in your lane, you do not have much time to react in order to prevent a devastating head-on collision. Our Hernando County Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want you to be aware of some of the defensive driving tactics that may help you get out of the way of a vehicle driving towards you in your lane.

• If you see a vehicle coming at you, slow down and be prepared to stop or move out of the way if the driver does not return to the correct lane.
• Flash your headlights and honk your horn to try and alert the other driver, who may be distracted or tired. Making the driver aware that you are there may cause the person to drive back into the correct lane, and prevent a tragic wreck.
• Swerve to the right. Never swerve to the left. Avoid going completely off the road if possible.
• It is better to veer off the road than to hit another car head-on, especially if you are travelling at highway speeds.
• If you must hit an object, aim for something stationary rather than the other vehicle. If at all possible, try and hit the object with the side of your car so that the impact will be less damaging than striking head-on.
• If you cannot avoid a collision with the other vehicle, try to sideswipe another vehicle rather than have a direct hit.
• Call 911. If you are lucky enough to avoid the oncoming danger, pull over as soon as possible and call 911 to report what happened.

If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a head-on collision, our Hernando County Auto Accident Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are here to assist you with a personal injury or wrongful death claim. We proudly help victims of all types of traffic collisions, including head-on collisions, recover financial compensation from negligent and careless drivers.