Head-on collisions often happen without warning. In a split second, another car can crash into your vehicle, causing severe injuries. Why do these accidents happen? And what can you do afterward? Our Sarasota head-on collision lawyers explain.
What causes head-on collisions?
Head-on collisions are more likely to occur on undivided roadways, especially rural roads with frequent curves. They can be attributed to the following factors:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Negligent passing on single-lane roads
- Negligent left turns at intersections
- Drowsy driving
- Driving too fast around curves
- Mechanical defects such as brake failure and tire blowouts
- Environmental factors such as high winds, heavy rain, and slippery roads
The speed factor
According to The Car Crash Detective, the severity of your injuries in a head-on collision is determined by speed. Many new vehicles are manufactured to absorb a great deal of impact in a head-on collision. However, your vehicle may only save your life at an impact of 40 mph.
If a head-on collision occurs at 80 mph, the damage can be four times more devastating. This is because the protection provided by your vehicle’s front-end structure, airbag, and seatbelt is no longer effective at such a high speed.
At lower speeds, your injuries may be non-life-threatening – but they can still have a massive impact on your quality of life. These injuries can include:
- Broken bones
- Head and face injuries
- Airbag burns
- Spinal injuries
- Whiplash
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Damage to internal organs
The risk of catastrophic or fatal injuries increases substantially at speeds higher than 43 mph.
Putting your life back together after a head-on collision
If you were injured in a head-on collision, recovery may be lengthy and expensive. You may be required to undergo surgery and months of physical therapy. Even after making a recovery, you may never be quite the same as you were before the crash occurred.
Obtaining compensation for your medical bills and lost wages after a crash isn’t easy. Proving fault in a head-on collision can be difficult. When crashes occur at full speed, there may be no tire tracks in the road indicating that either driver applied the brakes. Additionally, both vehicles can end up in different positions at the scene of the crash.
For this reason, insurance companies will likely to try to pin the blame on you. That’s why you need an experienced auto accident attorney to investigate your crash. No matter how complex your auto accident may be, the attorneys at Farrow & Pulice, P.A. know how to gather crucial evidence to support your claim. We proudly serve injured motorists in and around Sarasota, Florida. Contact us today to learn more.
