Leon County Cross-Over Accident Reported
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that an early morning crash on I-10 near mile marker 212 in Leon County killed a woman and sent a critically injured man to the hospital, according to local news reports. The state patrol indicate that the semi-truck was heading eastbound on the interstate highway when the rig crossed the median and hit the pickup truck, crushing the vehicle.
Median And Crossover Accidents
Median barriers are longitudinal barriers that are used to separate opposing directions of traffic on a divided highway. They are installed to help prevent a crash on one side of the roadway from crossing over and creating a head-on collision with vehicles on the other side.
There are three main types of median barriers:
- Rigid Barriers – these concrete barriers are the most effective at reducing crossover traffic and are preferred in areas with high traffic volumes (especially high truck traffic) and high speeds. However, crashes associated with rigid barriers may result in more severe injuries because, compared to other barriers, they absorb the least energy in a crash.
- Semi-Rigid Barriers – these guardrails or guiderails are usually made of connected segments of metal railing supported by post and blocks. They are suppose to absorb energy during a crash, as well as move or deflect a vehicle during a crash. However, vehicles are more likely to penetrate a semi-rigid barrier system than a concrete barrier.
- Cable Barriers – cable barriers typically consist of multiple steel cables that are connected to a series of posts. Cable barriers are used to minimize the forces on the vehicle and its occupants, as well as absorb most of the energy of a rash. In general, however, they are more penetrable than a rigid or semi-rigid barrier.
Median Cross-Over Accident Injuries
As noted by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, median involved head-on crashes at highway speeds are generally more severe than other types of highway crashes. They often result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Median crossover accidents typically result in frontal or side impact crashes. Because of the speeds typically involved and the nature of the crash itself, the crashes often are characterized by extensive vehicle damage. Frequently, the crash impact causes the vehicle itself to be crushed, intruding upon the interior space where the vehicle’s occupants are.
The violent crash forces created by a median crossover accident tend to propel the vehicle’s driver and passengers forward. If they are not restrained by a safety belt, individuals may be ejected from the vehicle. Ejection injuries are often catastrophic and may involve head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other injuries.
Even where individuals are restrained by a seat belt, the generally head-on nature of a median crossover crash can cause serious personal injuries to a vehicle’s occupants. While they may vary depending on the crash, head trauma and chest injuries remain a common type of injury.
Tallahassee Area Median Crossover Accident Attorneys
Many Florida highways now contain some sort of barrier system to reduce the likelihood of crossover accidents. However, in areas where no barriers have been installed or where the barrier is ineffective, in the time it takes for a driver to yawn, a vehicle traveling at highway speeds can cross over a highway median and strike opposing traffic head-on, causing serious injuries.
If you have questions about who may be responsible for your injuries and losses in a median crossover accident, the experienced Tallahassee area car crash attorneys at Fasig & Brooks can help. Give us a call today at (850) 222-3232 or use our convenient online contact form for prompt, knowledgeable, and tough legal representation.
