Head-on crashes claim the lives of far too many individuals not only in the Pittsburgh area, but beyond. This sadly occurred once again earlier this month in Erie County. The fatal accident left one individual dead and another injured.

Police indicate that the crash occurred in McKean Borough not long after sunrise. As a Chevrolet Silverado travelled down the road, a Buick Regal coming from the opposite direction crossed the centerline and struck the Chevrolet.

The individual who died was a 59-year-old man who was driving the Chevrolet. Though he survived the initial impact, he sadly succumbed to his injuries soon after at UPMC Hamot hospital. The person behind the wheel of the Buick, a 20-year-old man, reportedly suffered broken bones. He too was transported to a hospital for treatment of those injuries. The seriousness of his injuries is unknown.

It is unclear why the Buick crossed the centerline. Historically, accidents like this have been attributed to many different reasons. One such reason is that the driver fell asleep behind the wheel. In other instances, an intoxicated or distracted driver is to blame. In still other situations, a driver may experience a medical emergency of some sort causing him or her to lose control of the vehicle, leaving it to enter a lane that is not the one in which it belongs.

Whatever the reason for this accident, it is likely certain that the family of the man will sorely miss him. They are probably stunned by his sudden demise and are unsure how to proceed. A wrongful death lawsuit may be the best course of action.

Source: KDKA, "1 Killed, 1 Injured In Erie County Crash," July 8, 2012