Head-on Collisions

Head-on car crashes occur when the front portions of two vehicles collide, which usually happens after one car crosses the center of the road and crashes into a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Head-on car crashes are some of the most dangerous and deadly types of auto accidents and are especially tragic because they almost always involve the extreme negligence or recklessness of at least one party. If you were recently injured in a head-on collision and have questions about your legal options, it is critical to contact an experienced auto accident attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you on your next steps.

What Causes Head-on Collisions?

In general, most head-on car crashes occur when one driver recklessly drifts into another lane, usually as a result of one of the following behaviors:

• Driving while distracted;
• Speeding;
• Falling asleep at the wheel; or
• Driving while inebriated or under the influence of drugs.

Although not nearly as common, the following factors can also contribute to or cause head-on crashes:

• Poor visibility;
• Poor road conditions;
• Unexpected mechanical problems; and
• Attempting to swerve around an object in the road.

Whether the crash was the result of a driver drifting off to sleep or a person’s reckless decision to drive while under the influence, head-on collisions almost always cause catastrophic injuries or death.

Serious Injuries

Head-on collisions often occur at high speeds because the negligent driver is unaware of the impending danger until it is too late to hit the brakes or swerve out of the way. For this reason, injuries sustained in these types of accidents tend to be particularly severe and include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, which are usually caused by an occupant’s head striking another object. This in turn can damage the brain tissue, which then leads to swelling and bleeding in the brain.

• Spinal cord damage, which often occurs when the broken pieces of a person’s vertebrae puncture the spinal cord and then cause total or partial paralysis.

• Crushed bones from coming into contact with the window, dashboard, or another part of the car. In severe cases, injured parties may even require amputation.

• Internal organ damage from colliding with the steering wheel or dashboard, or being trapped beneath a car. Organ damage can lead to internal bleeding and if left untreated, eventual death.

These types of severe injuries are extremely painful, but also difficult and expensive to treat, which makes it especially important for injured parties to collect compensation from the person who caused the crash.

Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney Today

Injured victims and grieving families should not also need to worry about paying medical bills, especially when they were not at fault in causing the accident. To learn more about your rights to compensation, please contact the legal team at Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale by calling 954-566-9919 to speak with a dedicated auto accident lawyer today.

Resource:

safety.transportation.org/htmlguides/HOcrashes/exec_sum.htm