Head On Car Collisions

Head on collisions cause devastating wrecks. These horrible accidents claim lives each year and cause thousands of debilitating injuries.

So why do head on collisions occur, and how can a car accident lawyer help you if this accident injured you or a loved one? Let’s talk about it.

Factors Contributing to Head-on Collisions

Head on collisions accounted for nearly 11 percent of all vehicle accidents in a recent year across the U.S., leading to 4,295 deaths. Various human, environmental, and vehicle-related factors contribute to these accidents. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the most significant ones.

Human Factors

• Distracted driving: One of the leading causes of head on collisions is distracted driving, which involves doing something that takes the driver’s attention from the road. Examples include texting, talking on the phone or with passengers, drinking or eating, or changing the radio station. Distracted drivers may fail to notice oncoming traffic or drift into opposing lanes, increasing the risk of head-on collisions.
• Impaired driving: Driving while drunk or high or while on prescription medications can impair coordination, reaction time, and judgment. It increases the likelihood of veering into oncoming traffic or losing control of the vehicle. Impaired drivers are more likely to cause head-on collisions because they have a harder time perceiving and responding to traffic hazards.
• Fatigue: Fatigued drivers are prone to reduced concentration, slower reaction times, and impaired decision-making, increasing the risk of drifting into opposing lanes or falling asleep at the wheel. Fatigue-related head-on collisions often occur during late-night or early-morning hours when drivers are most susceptible to drowsiness.

Environmental Factors

• Weather conditions: Poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain, fog, snow, ice, or glare from the sun, can impair visibility and traction, making it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles and stay within their lanes. Bad weather increases the risk of head-on collisions by reducing a driver’s ability to see and react to oncoming traffic or road hazards.
• Road design: Poor road design or maintenance issues, such as narrow lanes, sharp curves, lack of signage, or substandard lighting, can contribute to head-on collisions by creating hazardous driving conditions. Design flaws or obstacles that reduce visibility may increase the likelihood of drivers crossing into opposing lanes or colliding with vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.

Vehicle-Related Factors

• Mechanical failures: Vehicle malfunctions, such as blown-out tires, brake failure, or steering system defects, can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and veer into oncoming traffic. Mechanical failures are often unexpected and can occur suddenly, leading to head-on collisions without warning.
• Inadequate safety features: Vehicles lacking essential safety features, such as seat belts, airbags, or electronic stability control systems, may fail to protect occupants in the event of a head-on collision. The absence of safety features or outdated technology can increase the severity of injuries sustained by drivers and passengers and contribute to fatalities.

The Consequences of Head On Car Collisions

Head on car collisions affect the physical well-being of those involved and their psychological and financial stability. Examples of some of these consequences include:

Debilitating Physical Injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Head on collisions can cause brain injuries with serious side effects. Severe TBIs can result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, and other neurological deficits.
• Spinal cord injuries: The force of impact in a head on collision can cause spinal cord damage, leading to paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired motor function.
• Broken bones and fractures: The violent nature of head on collisions can result in broken bones and fractures throughout the body, including the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.

Severe injuries resulting from head on collisions can impact a survivor’s quality of life and ability to perform basic activities. Many survivors often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care to manage their injuries and regain functionality.

Psychological Impacts

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Survivors of head on collisions may develop PTSD, a debilitating mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance related to the traumatic event. PTSD can significantly impair functioning and quality of life, affecting relationships, work, and overall well-being.
• Emotional Trauma for Victims and Their Families: Head on collisions can also have profound emotional consequences for victims and their families, causing feelings of fear, anxiety, grief, and guilt. Witnessing or experiencing a severe accident can leave lasting emotional scars, leading to depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues. 

Families may struggle to cope with the emotional aftermath of a loved one’s injury or loss. For example, they may face challenges adjusting to a new routine and supporting each other through the healing process.

Economic Costs

• Medical Expenses: The medical costs associated with treating injuries sustained in head on collisions can be substantial, including emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment. Victims may require long-term care and assistance, further increasing medical expenses over time.
• Loss of Income due to Injuries or Fatalities: Victims of head on collisions may be out of work temporarily or permanently due to their injuries, resulting in lost income, diminished earning capacity, and financial hardship. Families may also experience loss of income if a primary breadwinner is killed or disabled in a head on collision, worsening their financial strain and impacting their long-term financial security.
• Property Damage: Head on collisions often result in significant damage to vehicles involved, requiring repairs or replacement of damaged parts. Property damage can include damage to the vehicle’s frame, engine, transmission, and other components and personal belongings inside the vehicle. 

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Strengthen Your Case

If a negligent driver injured you in a head on collision, you must contact a car accident lawyer immediately to get the money you deserve. Your attorney will investigate to prove you didn’t cause the wreck.

Part of this investigation may include consulting an accident reconstruction expert. The following is a look at how these professionals can help improve your chances of winning your case.

The Basics

Reconstructing a head on collision is a detailed process that requires experience in accident investigation, physics, and engineering. This reconstruction aims to understand the events leading up to the collision, determine the factors contributing to the crash, and establish liability or fault.

An expert in accident reconstruction takes an approach that combines scientific principles, data analysis, and forensic techniques to accurately reconstruct the events surrounding the collision.

How They Do It

The first step in reconstructing a head on collision is to gather evidence from the crash scene. This may include photographs, measurements, and documentation of skid marks, debris patterns, and damage to the vehicles involved. 

The expert carefully examines the physical evidence to reconstruct the positions and movements of the vehicles before, during, and after the collision.

Next, the expert analyzes the vehicles involved in the collision to assess their mechanical condition and performance characteristics. This may involve inspecting the brakes, tires, steering, and other components to determine whether mechanical failures or defects contributed to the crash. 

Vehicle data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, may also provide valuable information about the speed, acceleration, and braking patterns leading up to the collision.

Once they’ve collected the physical evidence and vehicle data, the expert uses mathematical models and computer simulations to recreate the collision dynamics. This involves calculating the speeds, trajectories, and forces involved in the collision based on the available evidence and physics principles.

By simulating various scenarios and variables, such as vehicle speeds, angles of impact, and road conditions, the expert can determine the most probable sequence of events leading up to the collision.

Analyzing Human Error

In addition to reconstructing the physical aspects of the collision, the expert considers human factors such as driver behavior, perception, and reaction time. 

This may involve analyzing witness statements, driver histories, and toxicology reports to assess factors such as distracted driving, impaired driving, or reckless behavior that may have contributed to the crash.

The expert maintains objectivity and impartiality throughout the reconstruction process, relying on scientific principles and empirical evidence to reach conclusions. Your car accident lawyer may use the reconstruction findings to support your case.

Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney to Fight the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, especially when negotiating with insurance companies, is overwhelming. Hiring a car accident attorney can be invaluable if you’re facing a situation where you must fight the other driver’s insurance company. Here’s why:

• Legal experience: Car accident attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience handling cases like yours. They understand the legal system and can handle all those complications on your behalf.
• Assessing your damages: Determining the total value of your damages, including medical bills, lost income, emotional trauma, and future medical needs, can be challenging. A car accident lawyer will assess your damages accurately and work to see you get the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance companies is intimidating, especially when they pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer. Car accident attorneys are skilled negotiators who will handle all communications with the insurance company. They’ll fight to negotiate a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your injuries and losses.
• Representing you in court: If negotiations with the insurance company fail, your car accident attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. They’ll represent you during litigation proceedings, presenting evidence and arguments to support your claim and advocating for your rights before a judge and jury.
• Statute of limitations: The statute of limitations is the deadline for filing personal injury claims after a car accident. Missing this deadline can result in losing your right to seek compensation. A car accident attorney will file your claim within the applicable statute of limitations, protecting your legal rights and maximizing your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.
• Peace of mind: Hiring an experienced car accident attorney allows you to focus on your recovery while they handle the legal aspects of your case. Knowing that you have a skilled advocate fighting for your rights can provide peace of mind during a difficult time.

Talk to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Today 

From investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies and representing you in court, a car accident attorney will provide the legal representation you need to get compensation for your injuries and losses.

Please don’t try to take on an insurance company by yourself. Leave this work to a qualified personal injury attorney at Rosenberg & Gluck LLP so you can focus on getting better as quickly as possible. 

Call (631) 451-7900 for your free consultation today.