2 dead in head-on crash outside Detroit
Two men lost their lives following a head-on crash in Macomb County on Monday. The accident happened near Mile 26, on North Avenue, which remained closed for several hours.
“It was like a bomb went off’,” one witness said. Two vehicles, a white GMC work van and a red Dodge Ram truck, collided on the two-lane highway, right where the speed limit changes from 55 to 45 miles an hour. Residents say no motorist ever slows down to 45 mph, which explains the high number of horrific accidents in the area.
Both drivers were killed on the spot, while a passenger in the Dodge was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Thousand of people die in head-on crashes each year
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of crashes and account for roughly 10% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents in the US, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In 2020, 3,631 people were killed and thousands more were injured in this type of crash.
Experienced Detroit car accident lawyers say that a full frontal collision between two vehicles usually occurs when a car crosses the center line into an opposing lane of traffic. A driver traveling the wrong way on one-way roads can also cause a head-on crash.
Main causes of head-on collisions
To file a personal injury or wrongful death claim, your lawyers will have to establish what exactly happened. Why did the other driver cross into an oncoming traffic lane? Here are the most common causes of head-on crashes.
Intoxicated driving
If a driver is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol their judgment will be severely impaired. He or she will have difficulties going into a straight line and may easily lose control of the vehicle. The intoxicated driver will most probably face criminal charges, but you must file a civil case to recover damages. Depending on the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC), your lawyers may seek punitive damages on top of your compensatory ones.
Driver fatigue
When a driver is so tired that he closes his eyes even for a few seconds, an accident is often inevitable. Experienced lawyers always advise people to have a good look at the other driver involved in the crash. If he keeps yawning and blinking, or if he has trouble carrying on a conversation, the driver may be exhausted. The driver may have a very convincing explanation for being tired, like working two jobs to feed the family, but, from a legal point of view, driver fatigue constitutes negligence and you have grounds to file a claim.
Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents in the US. If it’s a trucker that causes a head-on collision, your lawyers may be able to build a case against the employer.
Distracted driving
In recent years, texting while driving has become a leading cause of accidents in Michigan, although it is prohibited under a 2010 law. Motorists must use hands-free devices to make a call or text.
Have you been injured in a head-on collision?
If you or a loved one were injured in a head-on crash, the experienced attorneys at the Neumann Law Group can help. Our personal injury attorneys have many years of experience working on such cases. Through our dedicated representation, we have secured significant compensation for our injured clients and their families. To learn more and schedule a free initial consultation, call our office at 800-525-6386.