A two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway 200 near Mahnomen, Minnesota, left two injured and three others seriously injured. The seriously injured people were sent to a Fargo, North Dakota, hospital.
A 2004 SUV crossed the center line, lost a tire, and collided with an oncoming car driven by a Naytahwaush woman. The accident happened at 2:30 in the afternoon in mid-December, 2013.
People seriously injured in car and truck accidents in northern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota are regularly sent to Fargo, ND, hospitals for treatment. Fargo is home to the largest regional hospitals, and has the widest array of specialty care. The Fargo hospitals and clinics help crash victims with specialty orthopedic care for broken bones, internal medicine, surgery, and brain injury care.
The reality is that head-on car and truck crashes rarely occur without serious injury. Cars and trucks colliding at highway speed results in personal injury, because when cars and trucks hit head-on, they are generally travelling fast. The combined force of the vehicles is tremendous.
What Causes A Head-on Crash?
Head-on collisions happen when someone crosses the center line. This happens due to a number of different factors:
- ENTERING A CURVE TOO FAST. A truck or car that goes into a curve too fast might lose control and cross the center line.
- UNSAFE PASSING. Sometimes a driver will pull out to pass, but does not check for oncoming traffic, or misjudges the distance of oncoming traffic. The driver does not have time to pass, but tries anyway.
- DRUNK DRIVING. Drunk drivers cross the center line. Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs cannot control their vehicles, have slowed reaction time, and have impaired judgment.
- FALLING ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL. Drowsy drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel do not stay in their own lane. They cross the center line into oncoming traffic.
- DISTRACTED DRIVERS. Drivers who do not pay attention to the road because of texting, emailing, or checking their phones will cross the center line.
- DISOBEYING TRAFFIC SIGNALS. A driver might run a red light, stop sign, or turn left in front of oncoming traffic.
- DRIVING THE WRONG WAY IN THE WRONG LANE. Drivers driving safely in their own lane might not recognize a vehicle coming at them, in their own lane, travelling the wrong direction.
Lawyers Who Help Victims of Head-on Crashes
The injury and accident lawyers at the Stowman Law Firm have posted other articles here on the News page about head-on crashes in northern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. Some of our earlier News posts involve fatal head-on crashes. You can find them by searching our site in the Search Stowman Law box near the top of this page. Our attorneys help people after injury accidents. You will find examples of results we have gotten for clients on the Case Results tab at the top of this page.
If you have questions about an injury accident or a crash that has killed someone, contact us. Your initial consultation with the Stowman Law firm is free.