Most people would agree that one of the most frightening things you can experience on the road is a vehicle coming straight at you in your lane. When the news media reports on head-on collisions, there is usually at least one person who died or suffered severe and life-threatening injuries, which only adds to the fear this type of accident conjures.
The good news is that, in some situations, you can avoid a head-on collision. That may not mean that you do not end up in some kind of accident, but the one you do have may be much less dangerous and hazardous to your health.
Tips on avoiding a head-on collision
In addition to staying focused while driving, which will help you see an impending collision sooner, you can take the following actions to avoid crashing head-on into another vehicle if it is coming at you in your lane:
- It may go without saying, but wear your seatbelt, even if you are only going to the corner store. The fact is that most accidents happen when you are within 10 miles of your home.
- Slow down as much and as safely as possible. It will give you more time to react and perhaps lessen any impact.
- Stop if you have to do so. You may end up hit from behind, but that is usually still better than the alternative.
- Be prepared to swerve out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. Try to stay on pavement if possible.
- The reality is that it is ordinarily safer to sideswipe another vehicle or hit a stationary object than to collide with the oncoming vehicle.
- Avoid “riding the centerline” since this puts you too close to the path of oncoming traffic, and if one vehicle strays even a bit over the line, you could end up in an accident.
Even if you manage to avoid the head-on collision, you may want to be prepared for some sort of impact. Hopefully, you will escape serious injury, but there is no guarantee of the outcome when it comes to these situations. If another driver’s negligence does put you in the hospital, you may have the opportunity to seek compensation for the inevitable financial losses you will incur and may continue to incur in the future, along with other damages you may be entitled to under Louisiana law.