One of the most harmful types of motor vehicle collisions is, without a doubt, the head-on collision. It involves two vehicles with different weights, densities, and speeds.
Our law firm's head-on car accident attorney has vast experience in these cases and will assist you in the most challenging tasks so that you and your family receive fair compensation due to the circumstances. Contact a head-on collision accident attorney from The Ward Law Group.
What Is A Head-On Collision?
A Head-on collision occurs when two cars traveling in opposite directions crash into each other with their fronts. High speeds transfer energy quickly, causing severe damage to vehicles and putting the occupants at a higher risk of injury.
Accidents often cause devastating injuries that can alter the lives of victims and their families. In some cases, the victims may even die on the scene. Although these collisions are not too frequent, they represent almost 14% of people killed in road accidents.
Drivers must practice safe driving habits and follow traffic rules. Staying alert and avoiding reckless behavior can reduce the risk of head-on collisions.
Roadway departures accounted for 57,475 highway deaths between 2016 and 2018.
Head-on collisions were the most harmful event in 15,744 of these fatalities.
How To Avoid A Head-On Collision?
Every driver must know how to handle a situation in which they see a car driving off their lane and heading up in front of them. We want to provide you with important information. This will help you stay informed and apply it when necessary.
Slow down your speed
The situation is this: you are driving, and a car in the opposite lane suddenly crosses your lane. You must take immediate action! However, this does not mean you should act hastily and make a move that could cause another accident. Be cautious when dealing with the car in front or behind you.
Stay calm. Step off the accelerator and press the brakes to reduce your speed to a minimum. You may want to turn on the parking lights to signal to the car behind you that something is happening.
Try to get the attention of the driver
Let's face it, we don't know why the driver is coming in the wrong direction. They may have been neglected and tired from a long trip and dozed off for a few seconds.
If that is the case, honk your vehicle's horn. Flash the lights to get the other driver's attention. Attempt to get their attention this way.
Move your car
The honk didn't work. The car in front of you is still going in the same direction. Move your car cautiously to the side of the road or any open space away from the irresponsible driver.
Drive off of the road
If you can't avoid a crash, try to avoid the impact on the front. This should be your last resort.
Why do Head-on Car accidents happen?
Head-on car accidents may happen for a variety of causes:
Distracted driving
Texting on the mobile phone, not paying attention to the road, driving for a long time being tired, drowsiness, and trying to reach objects in the back seat while the car is still in motion, just are some of the causes of distracted driving accidents that can lead to multiple types of car accidents and within them, we find the head-on collision.
Driving while intoxicated
It is known that drunk people driving are a hazard for themselves and others on the road. In New York, a 0.08% blood-alcohol level can result in two outcomes.
One is arrest by the police. The other is a significant car accident, which can have a devastating effect on multiple people's lives. Driving under the influence of alcohol typically lowers reaction times. This can result in the driver invading the opposite lane, leading to a head-on car accident.
Passing on a two-lane road
Rural roads often have only two lanes. Drivers must be cautious while navigating these roads, as even a minor distraction can cause a head-on collision.
Suddenly changing lanes due to construction or a stopped vehicle
We must be careful when encountering a construction site or a stalled car. We should slow down while passing. We may need to cross the opposite lane, so we should pay extra attention while driving on this stretch of road.
Roadway defect
The design or layout of the road can contribute to head-on collision accidents. This includes confusing signage, lack of proper lane markings, and inadequate barriers.
Wrong-way driving
Entering a lane or roadway in the opposite direction can lead to head-on collisions. This can be intentional or unintentional due to impaired judgment. Newbies on the road may also make this mistake.
Road conditions and visibility
Poor weather, such as heavy rain, fog, or snow, can reduce visibility. This makes it hard for drivers to stay in their lane and avoid head-on collisions.
Vehicular malfunction
It would be a nightmare to lose control of our vehicle due to a sudden malfunction. This situation could lead to a lane change, either to the right or left. That could cause a car accident.
Excessive speed/loss of control
It is important to control speed when driving. This is especially true when entering a curve. If you enter a curve with too much speed, you may invade the opposite lane, which could lead to a head-on collision.
Common Injuries In A Head-On Car Accident
This type of car accident often results in serious injuries. Common injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The car impacts the front of the other vehicle. This sudden stop causes the driver to go forward. The driver is likely to hit their head on the steering wheel if they are using their seatbelt. This will help prevent them from being thrown out of the car.
Even though the airbag deploys and absorbs part of the impact, it is still a significant injury.
Spinal Cord Injury
The forward whiplash effect that the driver may experience in this situation may be too strong, which will definitely affect the spinal cord, causing extreme pain, paralysis or weakness in limbs, difficulty breathing or coughing, tingling or numbness, muscle spasms, exaggerated reflexes, among other symptoms.
Broken bones
The crash had a lot of energy, which means bones are more likely to break. Arms, legs, ribs, and the skull are the most common broken bones.
Skin lacerations
The two vehicles are going to crash front-on. This could leave them wrecked and their occupants trapped between the scrap metal car and their seats. That metal may cut the victim's skin.
Psychological/PTSD
Victims of a head-on collision may survive. However, this traumatic event may leave them with psychological scars. These scars can remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Approaching these injuries with the right treatments and therapies is crucial for recovering their life. They may live with long-term conditions, so it is essential to understand how significant the impact was. This is necessary to determine the fairest compensation for them and their families.
Head-On Collision Statistics
Between 2016 and 2018, an average of 5,248 fatalities occurred annually due to Rear Wheel Drive vehicles. The most harmful event in these cases was a head-on collision.
In 2020, New York reported 963 crashes, 24 of which occurred on an off-roadway median. In the United States, the rate was slightly higher, with 1338 crashes out of a total of 35766.
Damages Available After a Head-On Collision
A crash of this magnitude will certainly result in the victim seeking compensation from the negligent driver who caused it.
There are economic and non-economic compensatory damages when talking about the damages that a victim can claim.
Of course, the first line of compensation for the expenses is their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP). However, PIP has a limit that probably won't cover all the costs. Therefore, people can ask for the at-fault driver's Bodily Injury insurance for the remaining money.
Once the insurance limit is exceeded, expenses may not be covered. The victim can still file a personal injury lawsuit to cover these costs. They can only sue if they sustain severe injuries in the crash. Most of these accidents cause serious injuries to the car's occupants.
Contact a Head-On Car Accident Lawyer in NYC for Help
Your best option for head-on car accidents is having a Ward Law Group lawyer on your side. Insurance companies may attempt to provide the lowest amount of compensation, even if you have suffered severe injuries. Our experienced head-on car accident lawyer knows how to deal with these insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.
We understand the risks and pain you or your loved one are facing. We want to offer our help. We provide the best representation with high-ethics lawyers who have served our community and our clients for over 10 years.
Contact us now at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation, and one of our lawyers will answer all your questions.