Head-On Collisions Are One of the Most Dangerous Type of Crashes; Here is Why
There are several common types of motor vehicle collisions: rear-end, side-swipe, T-bone, rollover, and head-on crashes to name a few. In this article Gainesville and Ocala accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon discusses some basic information about head-on collisions including the common causes for them and explains why they are such a dangerous and potentially fatal crash.
What is a head-on collision? Just as it sounds; a head-on collision is when the front of a car, truck, train, bus, or any motor vehicle, collides with the front of another motor vehicle….front to front. These are generally serious collisions and have a higher rate of causing fatalities than other crashes, with the exception of rollover accidents. In 2005, 2% of crashes were head-on collisions but accounted for 10% of fatal accidents.
Why are head-on collisions more often fatal? Head-on crashes more frequently result in death because of the abrupt nature of them; stopping forward movement so instantly. To explain, when two vehicles of equal weight and size going the same speed crash head on, it is like crashing into a brick wall, and all forward movement stops all at once. For example, when two of the exact same vehicles in weight and size, going 50 mph, crash into each other head-on, each vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, just as if it had hit a solid wall at 50 mph, there is no giving way or absorption of the impact force. In fact, a person would be better off hitting a parked car at 50 mph, as the parked car would give and move and not be a stationary force, stopping their forward movement so abruptly.
Common causes of head-on collisions:
- Going the wrong way on the road; often called a “wrong-way” crash
- Crossing the center line and crashing into an oncoming vehicle
- Passing incorrectly on a 2 lane road
- Falling asleep behind the wheel and drifting into the oncoming traffic
- Speeding
- Speeding around a curve
- Not seeing, reading or following road signs properly
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving distractions such as texting, celling, etc…
Common places for head-on collisions to occur:
- 83% of head-on crashes occur on 2 lane, undivided, rural roads.
- Construction zones
- Highway ramps
Be safe! Pay attention to the road and do not drive distracted, here are some other ways to prevent head-on crashes.
We at Meldon Law strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of an accident or in the recovery from one.
We are experienced personal injury attorneys, trial attorneys, negotiators, litigators, paralegals, and staff that have been proudly working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 40 years in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, and the rest of North Central Florida and North Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and criminal defense are all included in our practice.
Based on Jeffrey Meldon’s, founder of Meldon Law, over 40 years of helping accident victims get justice and a fair shake from the insurance companies, he has written the consumer guide book, Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case. You can request your free, no obligation copy right now, or contact our office for your complimentary copy sent to you today.
Contact Meldon Law at 800-373-8000 immediately if you have been involved in a serious auto, truck, or motorcycle accident. We are in your community, have the experience and resources required to work towards obtaining a fair settlement for you – we are here to help you.
