Head-On Collisions Most Deadly Type of Motor Vehicle Accident
Head-on collisions are one of the scariest types of motor vehicle accidents a person can be involved in. The reason that head-on crashes are so scary is that they are often fatal. Head-on collisions are considered the deadliest type of motor vehicle accident because while they only account for two percent of car accidents, they are responsible for 10 percent of fatalities. The reason for this is because of the enormous energy transmitted into each driver’s body upon impact.
A head on collision is usually caused by negligent driving such as excessive speeding, distracted driving, and other types of reckless driving. While a head-on car crash often involves two vehicles, in some cases one vehicle crashes into a stationary object such as a wall, light pole, tree, or fence.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a head-on collision due to the negligence of another driver, seek the legal advice of an experienced car accident lawyer. An injury lawyer is best equipped to discuss your legal rights and place a valuation on your claim.
What is a head-on collision?
A head-on collision happens when the front-end of two cars crash into each other, often when one vehicle crosses into the oncoming lane of a road with no median to stop them. Because rural two-lane roads are less likely to have a median than urban two-lane roads, it comes as no surprise that most head-on collisions happen on rural roads. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 75 percent of head-on accidents involving two-vehicles occurred on un-divided two-lane roads.
Common causes of head-on collisions
- Rural roads, neighborhood roads and other roads that lack a median meant to stop vehicles from crossing over into the opposing lane
- Excessive speeding
- Running red lights
- Poor construction-zone redirecting
- Distracted driving
- Failure to maintain vehicle control while attempting to pass or overtake another vehicle or to avoid an object on the road
- Misjudging the distance between one’s car and the other vehicle
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or when fatigued
- Poor weather conditions such as ice
- Breaking traffic rules or ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Being unfamiliar with the area can cause confusion and lead to a driver turning down a one-way road and crashing head-on into another vehicle
Potential injuries from head-on car crashes
- Head trauma, particularly concussion
- Brain stem injuries
- Trauma to major organs
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord damage
- Lacerations and contusions
- Airbag injuries
- Neck and back trauma including whiplash
- Loss of teeth and other dental damage
- Internal organ injuries
- Limb amputations
The speed of travel before the collision as well as whether the passengers were wearing seat belts has a big impact on the severity of the injuries that occur in all collisions, including head-on accidents.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
