Head-On Collisions in Harford County
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. One of the most devastating, destructive types of car accidents are head-on collisions. While only two percent of all wrecks in the United States are head-on collisions, they are responsible for ten percent of all crash-related deaths.
The reason for this is the extreme force of impact that occurs when the front end of two vehicles collide head-on, usually at high speeds. A head-on collision can happen anytime and anywhere for a number of reasons including a driver not paying attention, reckless driving, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
According to traffic data, most head-on collisions happen on rural roads where there is no center median that prevents cars or trucks from passing another vehicle on the left or from accidentally drifting into oncoming traffic. This type of accident can also occur if a car or truck approaches a curve going too fast, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and swerve into the wrong lane.
Sudden lane changes due to construction and work zones can also lead to head-on collisions.
Common Injuries
Not surprisingly, head-on collisions can cause severe injuries if the victims involved were fortunate enough to survive the ordeal. Some of the most common injuries that occur in head-on collisions include the following:
- Neck Injuries: The neck is very vulnerable to injury in a head-on collision because the extreme force of impact causes the neck muscles to be stretched to an extreme degree. Whiplash is an example of a common neck injury, which can be quite painful, affecting your ability to function without pain or discomfort. In extreme cases, a head-on collision can cause a broken neck, which can result in paralysis.
- Back and Spine Injuries: Like neck injuries, the force of impact in a head-on collision can cause injuries to your back and spinal cord, including slipped or herniated discs, a bruised or broken spinal column, nerve damage, or paralysis.
- Head and Brain Injuries: If your head hits the steering wheel or dashboard, or objects in the car hit your head due to the force of the impact, the brain can hit the inside of your skull, causing brain damage. Serious concussions, cuts to the head, or sharp objects in the car penetrating the head are other examples of head injuries.
- Broken Bones: Arms, legs, and ribs are particularly vulnerable to breaks in a head-on collision. Even airbags can sometimes cause injuries like broken ribs.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons are very common in a head-on collision. If the injury is not treated soon after the accident, it can result in chronic pain and discomfort.
- Lost Limbs: If the accident is severe, the victim’s limb(s) may be badly injured, or partially severed, making amputation the only viable course of action.
Taking Legal Action
It is not always clear who is at fault in a head-on collision, so having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side is imperative if you want to pursue legal action against the other driver. If the other driver caused the collision, you may recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. If the collision resulted in a fatality, the surviving dependents of the deceased may recover death benefits, which may cover the costs of the funeral, any out-of-pocket costs, and loss of consortium.
Harford County Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Head-On Collisions
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a head-on collision, contact a Harford County car accident lawyer at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We understand the devastating and traumatic nature of head-on collisions and we will work tirelessly to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. 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 car accident 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.
