Head-on collisions can be inexplicable. Why does one vehicle cross a clearly marked centerline and crash into a car headed in the opposite direction? Fortunately, when such accidents occur in an urban setting, the vehicles are not moving at very high speeds, and the injuries inflicted on drivers and passengers tend to be less critical than in similar accidents that occur at freeway speeds. A recent head-on collision in Middletown shows how this disparity operates to prevent needless fatalities.
The accident
On August 19, 2021, Middletown police officers were called to a head-on collision on Main Street near Sliders Grill and Bar. According to the police on the scene, a 2011 Subaru was northbound on South Main Street when it crossed the double yellow center-line and hit a south bound Mercedes-Benz. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He was reported to be in stable condition. The driver of the Subaru was taken to Middlesex Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; he was treated and released. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to observe local traffic regulations.
Aftermath
The driver of the Subaru appears to bear the greater share of fault for this accident because he was in the wrong lane when the collision occurred. He may be facing claims from the driver of the Subaru for medical expenses and lost income. Depending upon the injuries suffered by the driver of the Mercedes Benz, damages may also include future medical and rehabilitation expenses, and damages for permanent partial disability.
Anyone who has suffered injuries in a similar accident may wish to recover damages from the party who was at fault. The advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable assistance to such efforts. A knowledgeable attorney can evaluate the evidence, suggest legal strategies to support the claims, and provide an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.