It is fortunate that head-on collisions are not common on New Mexico’s roadways because when they do happen, they are often fatal. When two vehicles collide head-to-head at high speeds, it is unlikely that the occupant of the smaller car will survive. If he does manage to survive, his injuries are likely to be catastrophic. If your loved one was permanently disabled or killed in a head-on collision, you need an experienced legal team who will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Causes of Head-On Collisions in New Mexico
In order for two cars to hit each other head-on, one car must be traveling in the wrong direction. Because of this, it is often easy to determine fault. Some common scenarios for head-on collisions include:
- Passing on a two-lane highway. Attempting to pass a car on a two-lane undivided highway is always risky, and if the passing driver fails to make his move in a designated passing zone or tries to beat an oncoming car, the result could be a head-on collision.
- Entering a highway from the wrong direction. Intoxication, poor visibility, bad weather, fatigue, or unfamiliarity with the area could cause a driver to enter a divided highway in the wrong direction.
- Vehicle spin-outs. Bad weather conditions, debris on the road, or a tire blowout could cause a driver to lose control and his vehicle to spin out. If the car ends up facing the wrong direction, he could be hit head-on by an oncoming car.
- Crossing the center median. A driver who falls asleep at the wheel could cross the center median into oncoming traffic on the other side of the highway. Likewise, a driver who is distracted or who takes evasive action to avoid stopped traffic could also end up crossing the median.
In all of these situations, an innocent driver and his passengers are put in extreme danger by a careless, reckless, or negligent driver. If a serious injury or death occurs, the at-fault driver should be held accountable.
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