A driver on westbound Highway 46 dangerously passed a tractor-trailer and smacked into an eastbound pickup in San Luis Obispo County.
The driver and passenger in the Hyundai, the wrong-way vehicle, both died in the crash, the California Highway Patrol said.
Head On Accidents in California
The accident in the above story was an unavoidable head-on collision. If Driver A suddenly and unexpectedly crosses the center line and collides with Driver B, especially on a no-median highway, Driver A is almost always negligent.
These collisions are largely unavoidable, especially if both drivers are traveling at freeway speed. Everything happens too fast.
It is easier for a car accident lawyer in san diego to establish liability in head on cases, since the last clear chance defense does not apply. More on that below.
Compensation in a head-on or other car crash case usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Wrong Way Wrecks
However, the last clear chance defense could apply in wrong-way wrecks. Usually, these collisions occur after a driver mistakes an off-ramp for an on-ramp. If that is the case and Driver B has a chance to avoid the collision, perhaps by changing lanes, but doesn’t, Driver B could be legally responsible for damages.
All drivers have a duty of care to avoid accidents at all times, regardless of what another driver does or does not do.
Significantly, there is a difference between the last clear chance and any possible chance. Sometimes, weather, traffic, or other conditions make it impractical to suddenly change lanes. In these cases, such emergency maneuvers might cause a worse crash than the one it might have prevented.
Reach Out to Ozols Law Firm for more information
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Diego, contact the Ozols Law Firm. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.