There are no specific causes of head-on collisions; they can happen to anyone at any time. Even so, there are a variety of factors that may cause a driver to lose control and collide with another vehicle head-on, including:
- Distracted driving (such as texting)
- Driving under the influence of drugs, or alcohol
- Fatigue
- Dangerous road conditions
- Driver error or faulty judgment
- Drivers attempting to illegally pass another vehicle
- Faulty brakes
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), head-on collisions cause an estimated 3000 to 4000 deaths in the United States each year.
The True Impact of Head-On Collisions
What causes head-on collisions is when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash directly into each other. This is one of the more dangerous types of car accidents because the impact is doubled due to the speed of each vehicle. Injuries associated with head-on collisions can be much more severe than those caused by a typical fender bender.
They include:
- Injuries to the spinal cord, which can cause both temporary and permanent paralysis
- Various burns from the vehicle igniting
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Brain damage
Steps to Take After a Head-On Collision
After a collision, it is important that you take key steps to ensure your safety and document what happened in case you decide to seek compensation for your injuries. What you do right after the collision can impact both your health and your right to seek damages.
Seek Medical Attention
It is important to seek medical attention no matter how minor your injuries may appear after your accident. Many injuries to your internal organs or spinal cord may take days or weeks to cause any discomfort. Additionally, waiting to receive medical care can put you at risk of injuring yourself further.
File a Police Report
Filing a police report will establish a link between yourself and the accident. This may be helpful later if you decide to pursue litigation against the other driver. Make sure that when you file the police report at the scene of the accident that your name and a description of your injuries are included. In Florida, filing a police report for a car accident is mandatory if:
- Damage to either vehicle exceeds $500
- There are any injuries, pain or discomfort
- Any vehicle needs to be towed from the scene of the accident
If an officer was not present to fill out a police report, you have 10 days to file a crash report with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
A Team of Attorneys Ready to Fight for You
When you have been dealing with pain and suffering due to a head-on collision, a personal injury attorney can help protect your right to compensation so you can put this traumatic chapter behind you.
The team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine has helped our clients recover compensation to cover their expenses after an accident. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, we want to hear from you.
We are eager to meet you and learn about the details of your accident. To find out more, call 1-800-747-3733.
