Head-on collisions are especially dangerous car accidents. When vehicles collide head-on, they can stop suddenly. This deceleration is actually a major cause of bodily injury. Many victims of head-on collisions suffer major, life-threatening injuries, such as torn arteries, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage. According to some statistics, head-on collisions have the highest fatality rate. If you were injured in this type of crash, call McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie & Clardy. A Spartanburg car accident lawyer with our firm will discuss whether you can file a lawsuit or negotiate a settlement with an insurance company.
What is the Leading Cause of Head-On Collisions?
We have no reliable statistics that identify the leading cause of head-on collisions. However, driver error is probably the most important contributing factor, and it can take many forms.
Fatigued Driving
A fatigued driver can cause a head-on collision accident when they briefly nod off, and their vehicle slides over the center line. Fatigued drivers also have delayed reflexes, which means they don’t always yank the steering wheel to get on their side of the road fast enough. A head-on collision can result.
Fatigued driving is a major public safety problem. The National Safety Council reports that around 6,400 people die each year in drowsy driving accidents, and thousands more are hurt each year.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major contributor to all types of accidents, including head-on collisions. Drivers are increasingly distracted by electronic devices, including smartphones, which allow them to multitask. Reading or typing a text message can lead to all sorts of distractions:
- Visual distraction—The motorist is looking at their phone, so it is easy to slide into oncoming traffic.
- Manual distraction—By holding a phone, the driver does not have two hands on the wheel. If they notice they are about to crash, a driver cannot take defensive action in time.
- Cognitive distraction—Text messages can occupy a person’s thoughts, preventing them from really processing what is happening outside the car. They might see that they are in the wrong lane without really understanding that fact.
It only takes a split second to end up crashing into a vehicle. Distracted driving is a leading cause of all collisions.
Intoxication or Drug Use
Illegal drugs and alcohol can also impair motorists to the point they get into head-on collisions. A drunk driver suffers from:
- Delayed reflexes
- Blurred vision
- Greater fatigue
- Impaired cognition
An intoxicated motorist is more prone to going the wrong way on a one-way highway. They might not even realize they are the one who is traveling in the wrong direction.
Criminal Activity
Some criminals end up causing a head-on collision as they flee from the police. Going the wrong way on the highway might be their way of trying to evade the cops. Instead, they end up crashing into an innocent motorist and causing serious (and possibly fatal) injuries.
Snow or Ice
A vehicle might crash head on when the vehicle loses traction with the road. Snow and ice can cause a car to fishtail or spin out of control. Even a careful driver is unable to regain control of the vehicle before it crashes.
Snow and ice are rare in South Carolina, but accidents seem to spike whenever we get a storm. Few drivers have winter tires, which can provide additional traction in slick conditions.
Illegal Passing
Aggressive drivers sometimes pass when the lines on the road tell them not to. For example, an impatient motorist might pass around a blind corner, only to end up crashing into a car coming in the opposite direction.
Driver impatience or inexperience is to blame in many illegal passing situations. Some drivers simply refuse to follow the law because they are in a hurry.
Speeding
Speeding is a main cause of many car accidents. We would not be surprised if it is a leading cause of head-on collisions as well.
When a driver is going too fast, they have a harder time controlling their vehicle. Further, they need more distance to come to a complete stop and avoid a wreck. When speeding, a driver could lose control and slip into oncoming traffic, leading to head-on collision accidents. Speeding motorists might also try to beat a light and end up crashing into a vehicle already in the intersection.
Road Construction
The risk of a head-on accident increases in a work zone. Some drivers are unprepared for one lane to be shut down, so they must take defensive action to avoid crashing into a barrier. As a result, they pull into the other lane and crash head-on with oncoming traffic.
Work zones should have appropriate signage warning drivers that one lane will be shut down and to reduce speed. But not all work zones are set up properly, and signs might blow over or be missing altogether.
Blown Tire & Other Defects
Sometimes a driver is driving their vehicle as safely as they can. Nonetheless, they crash due to some defect in the vehicle, such as a worn-out tire that explodes, rendering their vehicle uncontrollable. Tires can fail when they are too old or due to underinflation. Some tires are also defectively manufactured, so they are dangerous as soon as they are put on the vehicle.
Speak with Our Spartanburg Car Accident Lawyer in a Free Consultation!
McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie & Clardy can bring a legal claim for compensation whenever a person is injured in a car accident that is not their fault. For example, if you were hurt in a head-on collision, we can investigate to learn more about the reason why it happened. Once we identify the person at fault, we can analyze whether you can seek financial compensation.
Our lawyers are prepared to seek a variety of compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages where the facts allow. Contact our office to learn more about how to file an injury claim following a head on collision accident.