Head-On Collisions
Request Free ConsultationA head-on collision is one of the most dangerous types of accidents, often causing serious injuries and fatalities. They occur when two vehicles strike each other front-end to front-end. This impact causes a significant amount of force, often causing injuries to both drivers and any passengers. A Nashville car accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation following an accident.
How Common Are Head-On Collisions?
Though head-on collisions are not the most common type of accident to occur, they can be one of the most dangerous. Data from the Insurance Information Institute states that, in 2022, 4,253 people died in head-on collisions across the country. That accounts for about 10.8% of all fatal crashes.
What Makes Head-On Collisions So Dangerous?
There are several factors that contribute to the risk of severe injuries in head-on collisions. Consider the physics involved in these accidents.
First, you have combined speed. Both vehicles are moving toward each other at the combined speed of their original velocities. In short, that means the impact force will be very high. That is true even when the vehicles are moving at slower speeds. Consider that, if two vehicles are traveling at 25 miles per hour toward each other and collide, that is the same amount of damage as one vehicle striking a wall at 50 miles per hour.
The second factor is impact force. If one vehicle is a large SUV while the other is a small passenger car, there is a much higher risk for serious injuries. When a truck strikes a car in a head-on collision, for example, all of that force from the heavy weight of the truck transfers to the car, causing serious injury as a result.
A third reason for complexity in these cases is the limited amount of crumple zones. Most vehicles today have a crumple zone. That is the area of the car that can absorb most of the energy from a collision. In any other accident, like a T-bone accident, a crumple zone allows for less force to be transferred to the passengers in the car. In a head-on collision, there is a limited crumple zone because the front of the vehicle takes on the full impact of the strike.
Common Injuries from a Head-On Collision
For victims involved in a head-on collision, especially one with significant force and size differences, the risk of serious injury is very high. Some of the most common injuries we see in these accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries due to compression and damage to the vertebrae
- Traumatic brain injuries, including severe brain damage
- Broken and shattered bones, often requiring surgical repair
- Amputations and disfigurements
- Internal organ injury due to the transfer of force
- Whiplash due to the rapid back-and-forth movement of the head during such a crash
Victims of serious injuries like this may suffer long-term injuries and catastrophic losses. In many situations, they face an ongoing battle to recover fair compensation. That is often because proving who is at fault is yet another factor that makes these accidents more challenging.
Seek Help from a Head-On Collision Lawyer
Understanding head-on collisions means recognizing the sheer risk of serious loss that comes with them. At Selvidge Injury Law, we aim to help you navigate the complexities of these cases. Your personal injury lawyer will investigate, build a strong claim, and fight tirelessly for you to recover fair compensation. Contact us now for a free consultation.