Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. These accidents often cause serious injuries or death, which may change the lives of victims and their families forever.
If you or your loved one has been affected, it’s time to seek legal representation. The top car accident lawyers can help victims get compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.
Below are the key reasons head-on collisions often have devastating consequences.
High Impact Forces
Head-on collisions are extremely dangerous because of the combined speed of the vehicles involved, creating a massive force of impact.
For instance, if two cars, each traveling at 60 mph, collide head-on, the force is similar to hitting a solid object at 120 mph. Even with airbags and seat belts, the human body cannot withstand such forces, leading to serious injuries like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), or organ damage.
In these crashes, a vehicle’s structure absorbs some of the energy, but it’s often not enough to fully protect passengers. Studies have shown that head-on collisions often result in extreme structural damage, increasing the likelihood of serious injury or death.
Inadequate Protection for Occupants
Modern cars are equipped with safety features for occupants in the event of an accident, such as airbags, seat belts, and crumple zones. These features do have their limits, especially during high-impact head-on collisions.
The crumple zone, meant to absorb the impact, collapses totally in the case of a severe accident and thus exposes the occupants. The drivers and front-seat passengers are highly vulnerable because they are closer to the site of impact and often suffer direct trauma to the head, chest, and legs.
Even with airbags, the force of sudden deceleration can cause severe internal injuries like brain hemorrhages, lung contusions, and aortic ruptures, making it essential to consult an insurance ticket lawyer if legal or coverage disputes arise
For example, the steering wheel or dashboard may press against the chest or abdomen, leading to critical injuries, even when seat belts are worn.
Higher Likelihood of Ejection
Not using a seat belt during a head-on collision dramatically increases the risk of being ejected from the vehicle, one of the most dangerous possible outcomes. Ejected occupants often strike the roadway, other objects, or other vehicles.
Not wearing the seat belt correctly can still lead to partial ejection, with the same outcomes of serious injuries involving fractures or deep cuts. Wear the seat belt correctly to keep safe.
Severe Vehicle Damage
Head-on collisions often cause complete destruction of vehicles, leaving little room for occupants to survive. Unlike side or rear-end crashes, these collisions focus the impact at the front, overpowering crumple zones.
The engine block can also be pushed into the cabin, causing severe crushing of the legs and pelvis of those in the front seats. Rescue is often slow because of having to cut through the wreckage, resulting in delays in medical attention and increasing the rate of fatalities.
Areas Where Head-On Collisions Are Common
Head-on collisions are common on rural roads and highways. On these roads, barriers are rarely present to separate traffic, and it is highly probable that vehicles might shift to oncoming lanes due to driver errors or poor conditions.
Also, contributing factors like drowsy driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence are more common on these stretches, which increases the chance of head-on collisions.
