Head-On Collisions

We see it on the news all too frequently-another person killed in a car accident because an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line and caused a head-on collision. Driving a vehicle is one the most dangerous activities a normal person will engage in on a day to day basis, and head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous types of car accidents. Due to the violent force that head-on collisions create, they very often lead to serious injuries and death.

The attorneys at Slappey & Sadd are skilled at handling personal injury claims on behalf of victims injured in head-on collisions. If you were injured in a head-on collision accident, it might be a good idea to have an attorney look into your case to make sure that you are getting the maximum compensation you deserve. Our attorneys bring extensive experience to the table when representing injured victims of all types of car accidents, including head-on collisions, and we are confident that we can achieve success for you.

According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSB), there were 37,461 people killed in crashes on US roadways in 2016, which was a 5.6% increase over 2015. These fatalities increased among all segments of the population, including passenger vehicle occupants, occupants of large trucks, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Of the 1,976 more fatalities in 2016, 651 of those were in passenger cars, which is a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Thus, if you are involved in any serious accident, including a head-on collision, there is a good chance that the accident will be fatal.

You might ask yourself why head-on collisions happen, since, after all, the drivers of both vehicles should be able to see each other coming and avoid an accident. However, there are many situations in which, despite the drivers' best efforts, a head-on accident is unavoidable. Some common reasons that drivers get into head-on collisions include:

• Distracted driving: Anything that takes a driver's eyes off the road can increase the risk of a head-on collision. This includes texting, eating, applying makeup, adjusting radio and climate control dials, and talking on the phone.
• Fog, snow, and rain: Weather conditions that limit visibility also increase the risk of head-on collisions, as it can often be difficult for drivers in these conditions to discern where the center line of the roadway actually is.
• Poor passing techniques: Passing on a two-lane road can be tricky. Head-on collisions are often caused by drivers trying to pass more than one car at a time, passing on a double yellow line, or overestimating how far away an oncoming car in the passing lane is.
• Confusion over one-way streets: Congested urban areas with an abundance of one-way streets can often be confusing for drivers who are not acclimated to the area. It is very easy for these drivers to turn the wrong way down a one-way street and strike an oncoming vehicle head-on.
• Fatigue: When drivers are fatigued, they can lose focus on the road in front of them, causing them to drift into traffic in the oncoming lane.
• Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drug use are very common contributing causes of head-on collisions since it greatly impairs a driver's judgment and reduces their reaction time.

Many drivers can also be severely injured by near-miss head-on collisions, in which a prudent driver sees a vehicle coming toward him in his lane and then swerves out of the way to avoid a head-on collision.

Injuries caused by head-on collisions tend to be more severe than those caused by other types of accidents. This is mostly due to the speeds involved and the abruptness of the collisions. Some of the most common injuries we see with head-on collision accident victims are:

• Whiplash: When a car stops suddenly, the head and neck of the body continue to move forward, then they are whipped back. This motion can strain the ligaments and muscles of the neck and shoulders and lead to injuries.
• Head injuries: Although seat belts do a pretty good job of keeping the occupants of a vehicle from moving around too much in an accident, they are not foolproof. In many cases, the force of a head-on collision can cause occupants' heads to strike nearby objects.
• Spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury involves an injury to the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks in the spinal column and spinal cord, and are most often the result of a sudden and traumatic blow to the spine.
• Arm and leg injuries: While injuries to the arms and legs are usually not as severe as head and spinal cord injuries, they can result in broken or crushed bones and require amputations in severe circumstances.
• Death: Although head-on collisions make up a fairly small percentage of all traffic accidents, they generally have a much higher death rate.

If you suffered any of the above types of injuries in your head-on collision, you likely are looking at a long, difficult, and expensive recovery. These types of accidents can take a huge financial toll on their victims in the form of medical bills, lost income, lost future income, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering. And even after you recover from your accident, you may or not be able to recover the quality of life that you enjoyed before the accident.

If you were involved in a head-on collision, there is a good chance that you have been severely injured. If you think that your accident was caused by another driver's negligence, you may be able to recover through a personal injury action. Contact the attorneys at Slappey & Sadd for a free consultation to discuss your case by calling 888.474.9616. We serve the entire state of Georgia, including the following locations: Muscogee County, Newton County, and Cobb County.