Two Drivers Seriously Injured in Coon Rapids Crash on March 26, 2011

According to the Star Tribune, one car swerved over the center line on Main Street NW in Coon Rapids on Saturday afternoon, March 26, 2011, hitting another vehicle head-on.

Both seriously injured drivers were pinned in their crushed vehicles. One driver was taken by ambulance to North Memorial in Robbinsdale, and the other driver was flown by helicopter to Hennepin County Medical Center. One of the vehicles also had two passengers, who were apparently not seriously injured.

According to Coon Rapids police Sergeant Tom Hawley, the roads were dry in the area of the crash, and alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the crash.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the drivers and their families.

Fortunately, most accidents are avoidable. There are things you can do to reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in a motor vehicle collision, or reduce the likelihood that you sustain serious injury if you are involved in an auto collision.

1. Wear your seat belt. Seat belts are the most important safety device ever invented. They provide impact protection, absorb crash forces, and keep you from being thrown out of the vehicle.
2. Buy and use other safety devices. In addition to seat belts, other safety devices, including size-appropriate child safety restraints, ABS brakes, and air bags, help reduce the likelihood of a crash or reduce the likelihood of severe injury.
3. Don’t run red lights. This one should be obvious, but red light running causes hundreds of accidents a year. There are two types of red light runners – those who are distracted and miss the red light and those who are too impatient to wait for the next green light. Don’t be either.
4. Drive precisely. Follow the basic rules of the road – signaling, proper lane position for turns, turning into the proper lanes, safe lane changes, driving to the right except when passing, coming to a complete stop for stop signs, and obeying traffic signs. Failure to follow these simple rules can result in a major accident.
5. Chill out! If you’re angry or upset, you’re more likely to drive aggressively, and more likely to have a collision. I like to think about driving in terms of “karma points.” I make mistakes, and everyone else does too. If I “forgive” someone else’s driving mistake, I bank “karma points” for the next time I make an error. Many collisions occur when a driver is mad, upset, stressed, or distracted in some way. Try to stay calm, rational, and positive.

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

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a Minnesota personal injury lawyer, call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.