A pickup truck driving the wrong way on I-265 ran head-on into another truck killing both drivers. According to Louisville Metro Police, the drive of the truck going the right way died after being ejected from his truck while the other driver died at the hospital of blunt force trauma.
The crash happened on the Gene Snyder Freeway around 1 am Friday, January 25 and closed the freeway westbound until 6 am. The incident is under investigation, and it’s unknown why the driver was going the wrong way on the freeway.
Head-On and Wrong-Way Driving
Head on Collisions are the deadliest type of auto-accident according to a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration report . While they account for only 2% of total accidents per year, they make up 10% of all accident fatalities. This is because of the double impact that occurs in a head-on collision.
Head-on collisions happen in two ways. The majority of them happen when a car drifts or slides over the centerline of a non-divided highway and hits an oncoming car head on. These centerline crashes make up the vast majority of all head-on collisions.
The other type occurs when a car enters a divided highway or freeway and goes the wrong direction. These are called wrong way driving head-on collisions and account for about 15% of all head-on accidents.
Head-On Collision Injuries
When two cars collide head on, both vehicles stop in an instant with the force that is often double that of a typical car accident. Both cars’ occupants are thrown toward the front of their car, and then they are thrown violently back into their seat. This action causes certain common injuries:
- Blunt Force Trauma: The vast majority of fatalities come from the impact of the person into whatever is in front of them.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Not always fatal and happens with the impact of the body at the time of collision.
- Thoracic Spine Injury: (Whiplash) This injury is not necessarily fatal, but it often results in paralysis. It comes from the body being thrown forward where the spine in the neck is stretched and then violently compressed when thrown back into the seat.
- Broken Bones: Skull fractures, facial bones, ribs and extremities such as wrists, ankles legs.
What Should I do if I’m Injured in a Head-on Collision?
If you are injured in a head-on collision, the first thing to do is to concentrate on your immediate medical needs and start the healing and rehabilitation process. However, once the financial losses began mounting, it is best to talk to a professional who can advise you on the law and can evaluate your case.
Do I need an Attorney?
If the injuries are severe, then yes, you should at the least talk to an attorney. Don’t talk to the insurance company or their attorneys without first speaking with an attorney who will be on your side and give you unbiased advice.
Call the attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, and they will stand behind you to make sure that you are treated fairly and that you get the highest compensation allowed by the law. When you call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, at 800 937-8443, you will immediately speak to a member of the legal team and not a message machine. You can also Live Chat with an expert who can immediately began helping you with your claim.
