Head-On Collisions in Anne Arundel County
Head-on collisions are some of the most devastating car accidents, usually resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Fortunately, they do not happen often, but when they do, there is usually a trail of destruction in their wake. As the name suggests, these types of wrecks occur when two vehicles end up driving straight towards each other and crashing head-on. What makes these accidents particularly catastrophic is that they often occur when the drivers are traveling at a high rate of speed, so the force of impact is massive. However, even at lower speeds, a head-on collision can have tragic consequences.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
According to traffic safety data, the majority of these accidents occur on rural roads, and two-lane highways where there is no median to prevent cars and trucks from accidentally swerving into a lane that has oncoming traffic. In some cases, a driver might be lost or unfamiliar with the area, causing them to veer into the wrong lane by mistake. Other times, a car or truck driver might be intoxicated, drowsy, or distracted by a phone call, a text, or someone else in the vehicle. In addition, these accidents can occur when a driver negligently or recklessly attempts to pass a vehicle in front of them by crossing the center line of traffic and into oncoming traffic.
Common Injuries from Head-On Collisions
As you can imagine, victims of head-on collisions often suffer serious injuries from the impact of the crash, if they were fortunate enough to survive. Injuries can include the following:
- Lacerations – Serious cuts can result in significant blood loss, which can be life-threatening if not treated.
- Broken bones – The force of the impact can result in broken arms, legs, and ribs, even if the airbag deploys.
- Soft tissue injuries – It is common to experience damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. If not treated, the victims may experience long-term, chronic pain.
- Neck injuries – Whiplash is a common example of a neck injury caused by a car accident. Head-on collisions can also cause whiplash, as well as other, more serious neck injuries like slipped or herniated discs, a broken neck, or paralysis.
- Back and spinal cord injuries – The massive impact of a head-on collision can cause a range of back injuries including slipped or herniated discs, which may require surgery. This can be extremely painful and often involves a long recovery. In more severe cases, there may be damage to the nerves of the spinal cord, which may result in paralysis.
- Head and brain injuries – Anytime an object strikes your head, there is risk of brain injury. A head-on collision involves such intense force that it can cause your brain to hit the inside of your skull, which can cause injuries ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries.
Liability in Head-On Collision Accidents
It can be difficult to determine who is at fault in a head-on collision, unless one of the drivers was clearly intoxicated or driving recklessly. Oftentimes, forensic engineers or accident reconstruction specialists examine things like skid marks and traffic cameras to determine fault. It is crucial that the victims of a head-on collision secure legal representation from an experienced car accident lawyer so their rights are protected and they are fairly compensated for any injuries and property damage.
Head-on collisions represent only two percent of all car accidents in the United States. Yet 10 percent of those accidents result in fatalities. Family members and dependents of the deceased victim may be eligible for death benefits if the other party was responsible for the accident. Damages can include funeral expenses, out-of-pocket costs, and loss of consortium.
Anne Arundel Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Head-On Collisions
If you have been seriously injured in a head-on collision, do not hesitate to contact the Anne Arundel car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. These are serious accidents that can cause severe, permanent injuries, which can have a negative impact on your ability to maintain a steady income. We are committed to securing the maximum financial compensation you deserve and we will not stop fighting for you until justice has been served. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent injured victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
