There is perhaps nothing more frightening for a driver than suddenly facing a potential head-on crash.
Another car drifts into your lane as the driver sends a text message or a pickup truck turns the wrong way down a one-way street. You only have a split second to react, and making the wrong decision can be deadly. What do you do?
It helps to prepare in advance by thinking through the situation. This way, you can simply react in the moment, trusting your training. Here are a few helpful tips:
- Remember that a rear-end accident is less dangerous. If you can slam on the brakes to avoid the head-on crash, do it, even if that means the car behind you is going to hit you.
- If you have to swerve, it is often best to go to the right, off of the shoulder. If you swerve to the left, you can potentially enter the oncoming lanes.
- Don’t drive into the lane where the other car is supposed to be, because that driver may swerve back. For instance, if they’re sending a text message and they suddenly look up and correct their course, if you swerved into their lane, they could swerve back instinctively and hit you anyway.
- If you have to hit something, choose the object of least resistance. It’s probably better to leave the road and hit a number of traffic signs, for instance, then another car.
No matter how this plays out, you’re in danger, and it is someone else’s fault. You may be able to seek financial compensation for your injuries and medical bills.