Man Killed In Head-On Crash With Semi
When driving, it’s crucial that you stay on the right side of the road and travel in the correct direction. If you travel in the wrong direction, you risk a catastrophic or even fatal car accident.
Sadly, a Florida man figured this out the hard way. He was killed in a head-on crash with a semi truck. The fatal accident occurred on the morning of March 14 in Dade City.
A 24-year-old man from Dade City was driving his GMC Sierra pickup truck on U.S. 301, near Mickler Road. He was heading south in the northbound lanes for unknown reasons when he hit a Hungry Howie’s semi truck. The driver was a 41-year-old man from Haines City.
The driver of the pickup truck died from his injuries. The driver of the semi truck was injured but his injuries were not life-threatening.
Causes of Head-On Accidents
Head-on accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the following:
- Distracted driving. Texting, eating, or using a phone can cause a driver to drift into oncoming traffic.
- Impaired driving. Alcohol, drugs, or fatigue can reduce reaction time and cause lane departures.
- Reckless driving. Overtaking in no-passing zones or losing control at high speeds can lead to head-on collisions.
- Wrong-way driving. Entering a highway or one-way street incorrectly due to confusion, intoxication, or poor signage.
- Poor road conditions. Ice, rain, fog, or potholes may cause drivers to lose control and veer into opposing traffic.
- Mechanical failures. Tire blowouts, brake failures, or steering malfunctions can push a car into another lane.
Head-on crashes are the most severe type of car accident due to the combined mass and speed of the vehicles involved. Even in modern cars, the chances of surviving a head-on crash at speeds above 40 miles per hour are greatly reduced. For older vehicles, surviving such a crash is less likely at even lower speeds.
These accidents are most likely to happen on undivided roads, rural roads, and roads with posted speeds of 50 miles per hour or more.
Dangers of Semi Trucks
Head-on crashes are dangerous, especially when semi trucks are involved. Here are some reasons why:
- Massive impact. Semis can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, significantly increasing the force of impact in a collision.
- Severe injuries and fatalities. Due to the size disparity, smaller vehicles often sustain catastrophic damage, leading to severe injuries or death.
- Hazardous cargo. Some trucks carry flammable or toxic materials, making accidents even more dangerous.
- Limited maneuverability. Trucks struggle with quick turns or evasive maneuvers, increasing crash risks in sudden-stop situations.
Seek Help for Your Car Accident Case
Car accidents can happen in a number of ways, from rear-end crashes to head-on accidents. These accidents can cause significant damages.
A Dade City & Zephyrhills auto accident attorney from Madonna Law has the experience to help you pursue maximum compensation for all your economic and non-economic damages. To schedule a consultation, call (800) 557-0411 or fill out the online form.
Source:
fox13news.com/news/wrong-way-driver-dies-after-crashing-head-on-semi-truck-u-s-301-fhp
