There are few traffic accidents more dangerous than a head-on collision. These are among the deadliest types of car crashes, often leaving survivors with life-altering injuries or families grieving unimaginable losses. According to the NHTSA, only about 3.1% of car accidents involve head-on collisions, yet these collisions account for more than 10.8% of all car accident fatalities.
Even when a head-on collision isn’t fatal, they often result in severe injuries that require months or even years of recovery, sometimes leaving victims with permanent disabilities. That’s not to mention the financial costs, ranging from the initial medical bills to lost income and home modifications.
Because damages in these cases can exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars, they often involve lengthy, challenging legal processes. In the sections below, we’ll detail how these accidents happen, what the effects can be, and what to do if you’ve been affected by one.
What is a Head-On Collision?
A head-on collision is when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash, with the front ends of both vehicles impacting. These accidents typically happen when a vehicle crosses the centerline or counterflows on a road or highway. The combined force of both vehicles moving toward each other makes these crashes particularly devastating.
Risk Factors and Causes
Several conditions and behaviors significantly increase the risk of a head-on collision. One of the most common contributing factors is the presence of narrow, two-lane roads without dividers, which can make it easy for either driver to cross into the opposing lane. This is especially common in rural or mountainous areas that may be poorly lit or lack adequate signage.
Distracted and impaired driving are also common causes. Any time a driver takes their eyes off the road, the likelihood of swerving into the opposite lane or taking a wrong turn into oncoming traffic increases. Meanwhile, drugs and alcohol can impair both decision-making and reaction time, and drivers may not notice themselves drifting into the oncoming lane until it’s too late. In some cases, the driver may not be impaired or distracted, but rather driving recklessly, whether speeding or weaving in and out of traffic.
All of these factors can also be compounded by poor weather or traffic conditions. If it’s raining, snowing, or there is ice on the road, it can cause a driver to veer into the opposite lane due to hydroplaning.
Common Injuries in Head-On Collisions
As we’ve discussed, it’s rare for drivers involved in a head-on collision to walk away uninjured. Below are a few of the more common types of injuries seen in these types of crashes and how they can impact victims many months or years later:
- Whiplash: The sudden forward-and-backward movement in a head-on collision can easily cause whiplash, straining the neck and tearing ligaments and tendons. While many people associate whiplash with minor discomfort, it can actually lead to chronic pain, stiffness, headaches, and a limited range of motion that lasts long after the initial crash.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: The jolt from a head-on collision can cause trauma to the brain, even if there’s no direct impact to the head. Traumatic brain injuries, by definition, are recurring and long-term, with symptoms including cognitive impairment, memory loss, or behavioral changes.
- Fractures: Arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones are especially vulnerable to fractures in a head-on collision, as the body is thrust forward against the steering wheel, dashboard, or seat belt. Some fractures heal with time and rest, but others require surgery, metal plates or pins, and lengthy physical therapy.
- Internal Injuries: One of the severest injuries a person can endure in a head-on collision is internal injuries, primarily because they can often display no symptoms at all. Yet, when they are present, they can quickly cause serious medical conditions such as hemorrhaging or vital organ damage. These conditions can be life-threatening, which is why it’s important to see a medical professional regardless of how you may feel.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Another potentially life-threatening injury commonly caused by head-on collisions is a spinal cord injury. Depending on where the spine is injured, victims can suffer from partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and reduced motor control. When this happens, recovery can take many years and require significant lifestyle changes, including long-term care and in-home modifications.
Regardless of what symptoms you may be experiencing following your accident, the most important thing to remember is never to delay seeing a doctor. This is not only important for protecting your health, but it also strengthens your case should you file a personal injury claim. If an insurance company finds that you put off your healthcare needs or ignored medical advice, it can severely limit your settlement amount.
What Should You Do After a Head-On Collision?
If you’re able, call 911 as your first step so that medical help and law enforcement arrive as soon as possible. The responding officers will document the crash scene and file a police report. If you’re unable to provide your version of events, you will typically be given the opportunity to do so later on. When you do so, make sure to keep your statements brief and avoid admitting fault. If you are safely able to remain at the crash site, do your best to take pictures of the damage to your car, your injuries, and the crash site itself. Additionally, request contact information from first responders, the other driver, and witnesses.
Once a doctor has seen you, make sure to keep records of anything that relates to your accident or injuries. This may include transcripts, medical bills, diagnoses, prescriptions, and communications from doctors, insurance providers, or anyone else involved in the crash. However, it’s typically best practice to limit your communication with insurance until you’ve had time to talk with a lawyer. In many cases, your lawyer can even handle this and other communications on your behalf.
Legal Options and Considerations
In head-on collision accidents, victims may file a personal injury claim to compensation for property damage, medical costs (short- and long-term), lost income, and pain and suffering. In the case of a fatal accident, family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to address funeral costs, loss of companionship, and future financial support.
Regardless of the type of claim, success hinges on showing that the other driver was liable through verifiable evidence. In some cases, this liability may apply to multiple parties or require unique proceedings depending on who was involved. For example, if a government vehicle was involved, you may only have a few months to notify the government before you can file a claim.
In other cases, liability may be complicated by the laws in your specific state. In South Carolina, which follows a comparative negligence mandate, you may still be eligible for compensation even if you were partly at fault, but not if you were more than 50% at fault. However, any compensation you get will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers may try to take advantage of this rule by misrepresenting your statements to argue that you’re more at fault than you say, which can lead to a denied claim or unfair settlement.
Head-On Collisions are Serious, and They Demand Serious Legal Help
Car accident injuries can range considerably in severity, but when it comes to head-on collisions, the chances of a life-changing medical condition are much higher. Victims can easily endure years of recovery and hundreds of thousands in medical debt. Because of this, you must understand your legal rights and options from day one so that you maintain your best chance at receiving the compensation you need.
Remember that if you’re feeling overwhelmed and need support through this process, Anderson accident lawyers can provide you with answers and advice so that your claim is in good standing. Personal injury lawyers can help collect evidence, calculate the full extent of your damages, and defend you against predatory insurance tactics.
