Head-on collisions are more dangerous than any other type of vehicle accident. This is the vehicles travel in opposite directions when they collide. The increased force sustained by both drivers can result in severe injuries or death.
Approximately 10 percent of fatal automobile accidents involve a head-on collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, many head-on collisions happen on two-lane rural roads, causing 13 percent of all rural fatal accidents.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on collision, you should consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. It is best to seek legal advice before you speak to your insurance company. This will enable your attorney to make sure that all your legal rights are safeguarded.
The Law Place has an incredible 75 years of unrivaled experience in dealing with road traffic incidents. Our firm is committed to providing the Florida community with the highest level of legal aid.
We know how stressful and traumatic car accidents can be, and so we want to help you recover from your ordeal. Please call for a free consultation. The lawyer appointed to your case will be able to offer you unique advice and reassurance applicable to your case.
Our lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444.
Head-on Collision Statistics
The Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) has reported the following statistics:
- 75 percent of all head-on collisions happen on rural roads.
- Head-on collisions occur most frequently on two-lane roads.
- There were 7,000 reported head-on collisions on two-lane roads. Of these, 4.2 percent were caused by a driver trying to pass another vehicle.
- Failure in handling curves on the road resulted in 3 percent of fatal head-on collisions.
The FARS data highlighted several common causes of head-on collisions. These were:
- Distracted driving.
- Driving under the influence.
- Driving over the speed limit.
- Poor judgment when negotiating a curve at high speed.
- Severe fatigue that results in falling asleep at the wheel.
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Common Causes of Head-on Car Accidents
The FARS data points to the underlying cause of most accidents – negligent driving. When a motorist drives with due care and attention, it allows enough reaction time to prevent an accident from occurring. Here are several common causes for most head-on crashes:
- Distracted driving – Multi-tasking whilst driving weakens a driver’s concentration. When a driver is texting or taking a call on a cell phone, eating or drinking, their eyes are not where they should be – on the road. Within moments, they could drift into oncoming traffic with fatal consequences.
- Wrong direction – A head-on collision is very likely to happen when a driver drives down the wrong way on a one-way street or highway. Sometimes this can happen when a driver is on unfamiliar roads or when driving at night. Negligent behavior, such as driving under the influence, could be another factor for such an error. A head-on collision is extremely likely to be fatal if either driver is traveling at high speed.
- Drowsy driving – When a driver is drowsy, it reduces their ability to drive with care and attention. They could easily veer into oncoming traffic, as reaction times will be reduced due to exhaustion. Several recent studies have concluded that driving when drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving when drunk.
- Excessive speed – Driving over the speed limit means that more damage will be incurred in the event of an accident. Many negligent drivers do not adhere to the speed limit when they are in a rush to get to their destination. A driver traveling fast could easily miss an important sign and find themselves in the way of oncoming traffic. The combination of speeding and hitting another vehicle head-on almost guarantees severe personal injury or fatalities.
- Weather conditions – Many head-on collisions happen due to severe weather conditions such as blaring sunshine or black ice. Both of which can affect visibility on the road. If a driver fails to slow down and drive according to the weather conditions, they are increasing their chances of being in a car accident.
- Taking a curve too fast – When a driver travels too fast around a curve, the probability of losing control of his vehicle and crashing into oncoming vehicles significantly increases.
- Inexperienced driving – The driver may not be experienced enough to navigate any dangers on the roads. Teenage drivers cause many accidents because they lack experience. Florida has a high rate of teenage car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States.
Injuries You Could Suffer in a Head-on Collision
The injuries sustained in a head-on accident could be devastating. If a standard vehicle or a motorcycle is involved in a head-on collision with a larger vehicle such as a truck, the vehicle driver or motorcyclist could suffer catastrophic injuries or even death, whilst the truck driver may suffer only minor injuries. If a person was not wearing a seatbelt when the head-on collision happened, they could also be thrown from the vehicle.
Common injuries that victims of head-on crashes suffer include:
- Whiplash.
- Broken bones.
- Burns.
- Head and brain injuries.
- Internal organ injuries.
- Neck and back injuries.
Psychological injuries can also be caused by major accidents. According to the American Psychological Association, vehicle collisions are the leading cause of PTSD in the United States. Common symptoms include:
- Severe mental health repercussions such as anxiety or depression.
- Difficulty in being able to sleep.
- Avoidance of any place that triggers memories of the accident.
- Nightmares and flashbacks of the incident.
- Memory lapses and inability to recall key details about the accident.
- Inability to concentrate.
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What to Do After a Head-on Collision
After an accident, you should call 911 immediately. If it is possible, get out of your vehicle and move a safe distance away from the vehicles. Do not try and retrieve any possessions from your car. Whilst you wait for help, take some deep, slow breaths so that you can gain composure, as you will have suffered a major shock. As soon as you feel you can, gather evidence, such as photographs of the accident scene. There may be someone else you could ask who could do this for you.
The police will write an accident report, which you will be able to use to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible and contact a reputable car accident attorney.
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Contact The Law Place
When you suffer serious injuries in a head-on collision, you may need a considerable amount of time away from work. You may also be struggling to pay your medical costs. This type of claim can help you receive the level of compensation that can help you through this challenging time.
If you have lost a loved one in this type of accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. In order to do this, you should hire a lawyer with extensive experience in dealing with head-on collisions. And this is where we come in. A car accident lawyer from The Law Place can discuss the whole process with you. Whether you need assistance filing a car insurance claim or filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver, one of our highly knowledgeable, professional, and deeply compassionate car accident lawyers can discuss your options with you.
The insurance company will have its team, and you need one of your own. Contact us today at (941) 444-4444. We are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
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