Brainerd Man Hurt in Collision on Highway 25 on March 26, 2011

According to the Pioneer Press, a 21 year old man sustained serious injuries when the convertible he was driving broadsided a truck on Minnesota Highway 25 on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

The young man was driving southbound on Minnesota 25 in a Saab convertible when he broadsided a Dodge truck going north on Minnesota 25 making a left turn. There was also a passenger in the convertible who suffered non-life threatening injuries, and the truck driver had no injuries.

The Pioneer Press article is not absolutely clear as to who was at fault in this accident, but in our practice, left turns in front of oncoming traffic are a very common cause of motor vehicle collisions.

Thankfully, most auto collisions are avoidable. Here are some common sense tips to keep yourself out of a motor vehicle accident.

1. Look ahead to watch for potential hazards, like lane restrictions, construction areas, slow moving vehicles, turning vehicles, or slow vehicles. The farther you look ahead, the more time you have to react to a hazardous situation.
2. Create space. Guard your safety by creating space around your vehicle. Adequate space allows you additional time to react to a hazardous situation. Allow at least two seconds of following distance, avoid driving in others’ blind areas, and move away from tailgaters.
3. Communicate with other drivers. If other drivers see you, it’s less likely that they will collide with you. Use your lights and horn when necessary to let other drivers know you are there. Making eye contact with other drivers also makes it less likely that they will pull out in front of your or make another driving error.
4. Drive predictably. Let other drivers know your intentions. Signal your intentions, change lanes slowly, and gradually decrease your speed. Sudden lane changes or stopping often causes accidents. If you miss your turn or exit, don’t fly across four lanes of traffic. Just wait for the next exit.
5. Use your signals. Always signal your turns and lane changes. If other drivers know your intentions, they’re less likely to collide with you.

For more great safe driving tips, visit Drive Safe With Uncle Bob.

If you’ve sustained injuries in an auto collision as a result of someone else’s negligence or careless, you may be entitled to compensation for you injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Minnesota personal injury attorneys, call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.
Visit us at MeuserLaw.com.