The Dangers of Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are the most terrifying and deadly of all traffic accidents, which is really saying something. The horrifying experience of another vehicle plowing into you head-on is difficult to comprehend. The consequences are nearly always devastating. If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury—or worse—in a head-on collision that another driver’s negligence caused, you need an experienced car accident law firm on your side. You’ve suffered a terrifying loss and serious damages, and the road to recovery demands the compensation to which you are entitled. At Stewart J. Guss, Attorney At Law, our dedicated car accident attorneys are committed to fighting for the justice you not only need but also deserve! Our experienced car accident legal team has the skill, drive, and compassion to help you and your family on the journey toward recovery. We are open, for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may contact us now by CLICKING HERE for a free case evaluation!

The Accident Specifics

A head-on collision happens when two vehicles that are traveling in opposite directions barrel into each other—often at high speeds. The level of devastation that ensues isn’t hard to predict. These accidents are so violent that even first-responders can have difficulty coping with the devastation. In head-on collisions, both cars typically sustain serious damage, and it is rare for any occupant of either car to walk away uninjured.

Common Causes

Head-on car accidents are often caused by one car crossing into a lane of oncoming traffic and, thus, into an oncoming vehicle. As egregious as such an error is, it can be influenced by a variety of factors:

• An exhausted driver who nods off
• A distracted driver who isn’t paying attention (smartphone usage is a common culprit)
• A driver who is impaired by alcohol or drugs
• A driver who passes other vehicles on a two-lane highway without taking proper care
• A driver who fails to factor in the condition of the road (including conditions caused by inclement weather)

Rollover accidents, which often send vehicles flying into the wrong lane, can also result in head-on collisions. It’s difficult to imagine a more deadly and terrifying combination. The dire nature of head-on collisions is, frankly, impossible to overstate.

The Mechanics of the Accident

When two vehicles collide at high speeds, each vehicle suddenly stops. As the cars decelerate, the occupants of the vehicles continue to rocket around inside the tight space at the original speed of impact. The occupants continue crashing into each other and the surfaces of the vehicles throughout the trajectory of the crash. Finally, the immense power behind these accidents turns any shards of glass, plastic, or metal (that break off during impact) into deadly shrapnel. The physical damage that ensues is extremely dangerous and often 

Not Quite Head On

Even though head-on collisions mean that two cars collide head on, it doesn’t mean that they connect squarely front to front. Often the impact is off center, which typically causes one or both vehicles to spin—thus exacerbating the inherent danger and injuries and increasing the likelihood that there will be more vehicles involved in the accident. Further, when a vehicle is set spinning, it can cause deployed airbags to fail to connect with the car’s occupants and to deny the occupants even that level of protection. Again, the impact and violence of head-on collisions are nightmarish.

Common Injuries

For survivors of head-on car accidents, there are a variety of extremely serious injuries that are often sustained:

• Head and facial injuries - Occupants of vehicles that hit head on are susceptible to extreme head and facial injuries. Before the advent of airbags and new and improved crumple zones, such injuries were nearly a constant. Because these safety features are now in force, head and facial injuries—though they remain a serious and obvious danger—aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were.
• Injuries to the lower leg and femur - In head-on collisions, it is very common for occupants to crash into the vehicles’ instrument panels and knee bolsters—often causing serious injuries to their legs. This can happen even when the occupants are securely belted in. Such injuries are usually intensely painful and slow to heal. Further, when they don’t heal correctly, they can lead to permanent disabilities.
• Neck Injuries - While many people associate neck injuries with rear-end collisions, they are just as prevalent in head-on accidents. The extreme impact of a head-on accident can cause the vehicles’ occupants to have their heads violently whipped around. Neck injuries like whiplash are extremely painful and extremely unpredictable. Such injuries can lead to ongoing pain and disability.
• Traumatic brain injuries - Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), because they affect the brain—the body’s command center—are extremely dangerous and unpredictable. The physical, financial, and emotional consequences of a serious TBI are difficult to overstate. In fact, the emotional component can be even more arduous to overcome than the physical damage.

Your Head-On Collision Claim

If another driver’s negligence has left you injured in a head-on collision, you need experienced legal counsel. Your health, welfare, and well-being likely hang in the balance. Without the compensation that you deserve, you are at a distinct disadvantage. The path to emotional and physical recovery after such a catastrophic event is long and extremely difficult; seek the compensation you need to fight for your best recovery.

For a Free Consultation, Contact an Experienced Head-on Collision Law Firm Today

There’s nothing more harrowing than a head-on collision. If you’re the victim of a head-on collision caused by another driver’s negligence, you know just how terrifying that is. At Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, we understand how difficult this is for you, and we’re dedicated to fighting for both you and your claim. Our compassionate car accident law firm is here to help! The legal team of Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of car accident victims for more than 20 years. If you or someone you love were injured in head on collision or any other type of crash, call our office right now to schedule a free consultation! Because we take all our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so please don’t hesitate to call us today or contact us now by CLICKING HERE to schedule a free consultation.