Van Dorn & Curtiss Blog

ROUTE 4 ACCIDENT UNDERSCORES NEED FOR DRIVER SAFETY

On Thursday January 7th, Nicole Patterson, a Northwood Elementary School teacher was seriously injured in an accident on Route 4. The accident occured when a vehicle coming in the opposite direction crossed the center line and struck her vehicle head on. The  accident was investigated by the Northwood Police. I know from my 30 years as an attorney representing victims seriously injured in car accidents that head on collisions can be deadly. Both drivers are lucky to be alive. Nevertheless Ms. Patterson has sustained serious injuries requiring surgery to her leg and her shoulder. According to the story in Foster's Daily Democrat   Nicole Patterson was required to be extracted from her vehicle by firefighters.

Head on Collisions are particularly dangerous because it is the speed of two vehicles, not just one contributing to the force of impact. In a one vehicle collision where the vehicle hits a stationary object going 40 mph, there is 40 mph of force at impact. But where two vehicles going 40 mph collide head on, there is 80 mph of force at impact and the potential for serious injury is exponentially greater.

The law makes the person responsible for causing the auto accident liable to pay damages for good reason. In this case the victim is the mother of three year old twins and a one year old. She will not only be disabled from work for an extended period, but it also be difficult to care for her small children. Plus there will be considerable medical expenses, pain and suffering and other harm caused by this serious accident.

The law firm of Van Dorn and Curtiss has extensive experience in representing seriously injured automobile accident victims. Learn more about our accident victim law practice here . If you want to discuss an accident claim with us call the toll free number above or use the contact form on this page.