What is a Head-On Collision?
When one vehicle crashes headfirst into the front of another car that was traveling from the opposite direction, a head-on collision occurs. If these vehicles are traveling at high speeds, the crash can make for an incredibly damaging, and sometimes fatal, accident. The reason a head-on collision can be so dangerous is because of the sudden impact it has on the vehicle. When two cars abruptly slam headfirst into each other, neither can absorb the impact of the crash. The result is a severely damaged vehicle, and most likely, the drivers are critically injured.
Most of the time, a head-on car crash occurs because an individual was driving recklessly. However, several other reasons can lead to an accident. The most common reasons can include:
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Cell phone use while driving
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Speeding
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Not correctly reading or seeing road signs
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Traveling on the wrong side of the road
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Driving under the influence of alcohol
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Falling asleep while driving
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Driving across the center yellow line of the road into oncoming traffic
The Physical Damage of a Head-On Collision
What Kind of Damage Can a Head-On Collision Cause?
Often, a head-on collision results in extreme physical trauma. Drivers who are involved in this kind of accident suffer from the following injuries:
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Broken bones
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Burns
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Severe lacerations
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Internal injuries
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Neck injuries
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Head and facial injuries
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Injuries to the lower leg
The occupant can either be thrown from the vehicle or get crushed inside, which can make their injuries worse. If the occupant was thrown from the vehicle, they might suffer an additional impact when they hit the ground. This can increase the severity of their injuries, like severe friction burns, or secondary injuries if they are struck by another vehicle while lying on the road. When the occupant of the vehicle is crushed inside the car, they will have to wait for assistance to remove them. This can take several hours, which can put a dangerous amount of pressure on their organs or cause them to lose a significant amount of blood.
The Most Severe Injury
What Are the Types of Injuries Head-On Collisions Cause?
In a head-on collision, the occupants may suffer from severe injuries to the brain, also known as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can be caused by the occupant hitting their head on the inside of the car, or from whiplash, which causes the brain to slide around the skull. This trauma results in wounds in the brain's tissue. Often, this detrimentally affects a person's mental health. Victims of TBI are likely to experience the following:
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Quadriplegia
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Motor and speech disorders
Experiencing a severe TBI can lead to physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Recovery is usually limited, meaning the victim's life is changed forever. The amount of medical care required to heal from a TBI can vary depending on the severity of the case. Typically, the recovery process will require a vast amount of time, which leads to costly medical bills.
Making a Head-On Collision Claim
The key to avoiding one of these head-on collisions is to stay vigilant and do not speed. Remember, head-on collisions are deadly at high speeds. However, sometimes these crashes happen despite our best efforts. If another driver left you with injuries from a head-on collision, you need experienced legal counsel. At Pete Olson Law, we have nearly three decades of experience with helping injured people. We are dedicated to helping our clients navigate through this difficult situation, and will work diligently to find a positive resolution at the end.
Don't hesitate to contact our firm to discuss your case. Call us at (877) 438-7383 to schedule a free consultation.