Head-On Crashes Kill Two in Kentucky

It is hard to imagine anything more terrifying than a head-on crash on a Kentucky highway.

The result is almost always serious injury or death.

Some head-on collisions come out of the blue and are unavoidable. But in other situations, there are steps you can take to prevent a crash or minimize the damage.

A pair of recent head-on crashes in Kentucky claimed the lives of two people and left a number of others seriously injured.

Fatal Head-On Crash in London

A female driver died September 11 after her Ford Focus ran into a Chevy Cobalt coming the other way on Highway 25 near the town of London, according to Lex 18 News. Four other people sustained injuries. The accident happened when a car came to an abrupt stop in front of the Focus, which veered into the other lane to miss running into its rear. The Focus ran head-on into the oncoming Chevy.

The women suffered severe injuries and was taken to the local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The four occupants of the Chevy were also hurt. One was rushed by ambulance to the emergency room, while three others were transported by helicopters to hospitals.

Dump Truck Demolishes Pickup on Highway 60

One day later, a male driver died when a dump truck rolled over and smashed on top of his car.

A Freightliner truck was headed east on U.S. Highway 60 when it experienced tire damage, according to news accounts. This caused the driver to lose control and swerve into the other lane, where it crashed into a westbound Ford pickup.

Both vehicles careened off the highway and rolled into a ditch. The dump truck flipped over and came to rest on top of the pickup. Video taken at the scene depicts the Ford truck flattened under the weight of the larger Freightliner.

The driver of the pickup died on impact. The condition of the dump truck operator is unknown.

Tips for Avoiding a Kentucky Head-On Wreck

The key to avoiding a head-on crash is to stay alert. You should also learn to recognize the signs of a looming hazard.

Here are some other safe driving tips:

1. Scan the road ahead. Make sure your lane is clear.
2. Slow down. If you think a head-on crash is likely, try to reduce your speed if possible. This will minimize the force of impact. It will also give you and the other driver more time to make a safe maneuver.
3. Don’t lock your brakes. This can cause a dangerous skid. Instead, simply lift your foot off the gas and apply the brakes gradually.
4. Move to the right. Steer your vehicle towards the right shoulder of the roadway. Never go left, even if the oncoming vehicle is in your lane and the left lane is clear.
5. Be ready to drive all the way off the road if necessary. Try to steer towards bushes or low vegetation.
6. Aim for a sideswipe or glancing blow. This will result in a lesser impact than a head-on collision.

A Kentucky personal injury lawyer can explain your legal options for free if you are in a head-on crash.

Sources:

• WAVE 3 News Louisville
• Lex 18 nbc news
• The Zenith.com