Teen DUI Driver in Head-On Collision Kills Teen
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Teen DUI Driver in Head-On Collision Kills 15-Year-Old
A 15-year-old girl was killed in a head-on collision caused by a teen driver accused of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter with intoxication, according to a report by the Miami Herald. The motor accident occurred when a 2015 BMW driven by 19-year-old crossed the double line on a curve near Temecula and smashed head-on into a Toyota Corolla. According to reports, the BMW was speeding at least at 55 mph at the time it crashed into the car in which the victim was riding as a passenger. The BMW careened 200 feet down the embankment leaving the driver moderately injured while the two other teens in the Toyota suffered severe injuries.
Regrettably, this recent tragedy results from a type of motorcar accident that is associated with tragic results most of the time – the head-on collision.
Understanding Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions happen when two cars approaching from opposite directions hit each other straight on. As may be appreciated, this kind of collision in invariably the most dangerous. Typically, head-on collisions occur on roads where no medians are present and are thus most common in rural areas.
According to statistics released by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head-on collisions are more common in rural areas accounting for 13% of crashed involving fatalities compared to just 7% in urban areas. The figures serve to illustrate that these accidents are more common on open roads and how dangerous they can be due to the extreme seriousness of the injuries sustained by the motorists involved.
Why Do Head-On Collisions Happen?
Unfortunately, the causes of head-on collisions are many, the most common ones being:
- Roads not familiar to the driver
- Bad weather conditions
- Not obeying traffic signs and signals
- The inability to maintain control over the vehicle
- Driving while being distracted
- Incorrect passing/overtaking
- Failing to pass or overtake another vehicle
- Construction-zone redirections
- Driving while being tired
- Driving under the influence
What Injuries Occur Most Commonly Due to Head-On Collisions?
The sort of injuries and their extent depends on several factors including the relative speed and mass of the vehicles and the safety devices being used at the time of the accident. As with any type of car accident, whether the motorists were using seatbelts or not and whether the airbags deployed or not can make a serious difference to the nature and extent of the injuries sustained.
The safety of the structural build of the vehicle is also an important consideration in how well the occupants are protected in crashes. However, regardless of the safety measures and other conditions, the most common injuries arising out of head-on collisions include:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash injuries
- Airbag injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Concussion
- Head trauma
- Neck & back trauma
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Dental damage
What to Do In Case You or a Loved One Has Suffered Injury Due to a Head-On Collision?
It can be really frightening to be involved in a head-on collision as it is perhaps the most deadly type of car accident that you could have, especially if it is due to no fault of yours. Fortunately, the laws in Florida allow the family of the deceased or the survivors of the crash to claim compensation on account of past and future medical expenses, trauma suffered, past and future loss of earnings, inability to attend the workplace, etc. The auto accident attorneys at Lavalle, Brown, Ronan & Schwencke, P.A. have the necessary skills and competence to assist you to meet your legal needs. For a free consultation, call us today!