From what I've been told, there's more scatter to laser than you'd think at intermediate to long-ish ranges.
Take a laser pen sometime and try to aim it at something a couple of hundred yards away. Even bracing it on something, the dot will "jiggle" quite a bit before you get a steady bead on something. Even harder with a moving target.
I've no doubt you can get enough warning with laser to possibly save your ass simply due to refraction or the beam jiggling around. Even easier when there's someone in front of you. Here's how V1 explains it:
http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt6.asp
http://www.valentine1.com/Moreinfo/pdf/what_you_should_know_laser_pg12.pdf
http://www.valentine1.com/Moreinfo/pdf/finding_laser_pg13.pdf
http://www.valentine1.com/moments/mom0307.asp
http://www.valentine1.com/laserhowto/
It might not be enough warning to avoid getting nailed, but it very well might be if you're situationally aware, don't do obviously stupid things and respond IMMEDIATELY to any laser threat.