Head-on collisions are the most dangerous type of motor vehicle accidents. Oftentimes, they lead to very serious injuries and even death. According to the Department of Transportation, 638 people were killed in head-on crashes in 2016. There are many causes of head-on collisions but some of the most common include:
- Distracted driving (use of cell phone, eating, etc.)
- Driving under the influence
- Disregarding traffic signals
Head-on collisions are particularly dangerous on highways where drivers are traveling at a high rate of speed. Some drivers can confuse feeder entrances and exists to cause them to drive the wrong way up the highway. For example, in April of this year, a wrong-way driver and a couple were killed in a head-on collision on Hardy toll road at I-45. Distracted driving can have fatal consequences. It is important for other drivers to be alert and practice defensive driving tactics to help avoid accidents involving distracted drivers.
Below are some of the common injuries that we have seen in head-on collisions.
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord trauma
- Paralysis
- Fractures
- Chest injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee or foot injuries
Frontal collisions can lead to enormous damage because it is similar to a vehicle hitting a wall or a tree in that there is no absorption of the impact. This can also lead to significant physical impairment. Although airbags and seat belts have helped reduce the fatality risk in these accidents, the rate of injury and fatality in these types of accidents remains high.
One of the first things that we do in these cases is to evaluate whether the other driver was on their phone, consumed alcohol or drugs or was distracted. We utilize this to establish liability to ensure that our clients receive fair compensation for their damages. Injured parties may be entitled to the following damages:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
It is important to consult with an experienced attorney that can assist you on your motor vehicle claim. Statistics have shown that injured claimants with attorneys receive three times the amount of money.