another factor
Your left-right vector does indeed make the resulting vector larger. However, it may (depending on the actual path of the thing and the wind direction) increase the angle of incidence. Hitting the ground at a sharper angle imparts less impact than hitting the ground more head-on.
On the other hand, if your flight path and the prevailing wind direction are not in your benefit, it could bring you to a more head-on impact than otherwise.