Head-on Car Accidents Can Cause Devastating Effects

Any kind of car accident can be catastrophic, of course, but head-on collisions are particularly horrible. While these types of accidents are, thankfully, fairly rare, they tend to either be fatal, or result in injuries that can have lifelong consequences. Safe driving is obviously always a priority, no matter where you live. But in a state like Florida, which is notorious for being filled with bad drivers, motorists have to be even more vigilant to avoid this most terrible kind of automobile accident.

The attorneys with Jones Law Group would like to help you do just that. We’d like to share some information on why head-on collisions typically occur, and steps you can take to avoid one. If you’re ever hurt in any sort of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we may be able to help. Please contact us online or call (727) 571-1333 for a free review of your case.

What Factors Contribute to Head-On Collisions?

It’s easy to understand why certain kinds of car wrecks happen. One driver may lose control on a slippery road and hit another. Or someone might fall asleep at the wheel and slam into the back of someone else stopped at a red light.

But it’s hard to fathom how a head-on collision can occur. After all, drivers traveling in opposite directions should be able to see each other, right? Plus, opposing traffic lanes should, at least, be clearly marked.

These are just a couple of reasons why head-on collisions don’t happen as frequently. But you would think they shouldn’t happen at all. Unfortunately, they do. These are just a few of the factors that can contribute to them.

Bad Visibility

The governmental agencies that are responsible for constructing roads will typically do everything they possibly can to make sure all lanes are clearly marked. They’ll work to ensure that motorists will know the direction they’re supposed to travel, no matter what time of the day or night it may be.

The hard truth is that Mother Nature will often make it nearly impossible for someone to be able to see where they’re going. We get a lot of storms that can bring blinding rain. Foggy mornings can reduce visibility down to zero. Even when the sun is shining, it’s often so bright that the glare makes it dangerous to drive.

Impaired Drivers

A head-on collision is more likely to occur due to some sort of human error. Impaired driving is at the top of the list. Whether someone is drunk, on drugs or simply tired, that can exponentially increase the risk of slamming into the front of an oncoming vehicle. An impaired driver on a two-lane highway can easily drift into the wrong lane, with potentially tragic results.

Distracted Drivers

Distracted driving has always been a problem since the first automobiles started sharing the road. But drivers are distracted now more than ever. Between roadside distractions, smartphones and in-car technological gadgets, people are at an incredibly high risk. Doing something as simple as diverting your eyes from the road to talk to a passenger can lead to a head-on collision. Even learning to pick something up can have disastrous results, because if your body moves, your hands will move as well.

Driving in Unfamiliar Areas

Trying to drive in a place you’ve never been before – especially at night – can be scary. You don’t know where you’re going, so you might not pay as much attention to the road as you should. When a motorist is in an unfamiliar area, they are more prone to making sudden, unpredictable decisions behind the wheel. They could easily wind up going the wrong way on a two-lane road.

Poor Road Infrastructure

Being in a strange area becomes even more dangerous when roads aren’t as well-maintained as they should be. Road stripes can fade over time, especially after years of exposure to the sun. Drivers, in some instances, are basically left to guess where they’re supposed to make a turn. Missing signs, such as “wrong way” signs, can also lead to head-on accidents.

Physics

While physics doesn’t necessarily explain why head-on collisions occur, it does paint a picture of why they’re so devastating. A head-on wreck exposes drivers and passengers to an incredible amount of energy. They can have air bags and be wearing their seatbelts, but they’re going to be impacted by tremendous forces.

When one vehicle hits another head-on, the speed of at least one of them will immediately go to zero. Have you ever not paid attention to where you’re going and accidentally hit a wall or a door? You probably came to a sudden stop. When this happens in a car at a high speed, the effects on the body are terrible, such as potentially fatal internal injuries.

How to Prevent Head-On Collisions

Thankfully, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk that you’ll ever be involved in a head-on collision. Here are a few to keep in mind.

• If you see another vehicle coming from the opposite direction approaching yours, take your foot off the gas pedal and gradually apply the brake.
• Honk your horn and flash your lights.
• Veer to the right if you can, and move to the shoulder or another clear area if available.
• Even if you have to drive into a ditch, that is very likely a better alternative to striking an oncoming vehicle at a high rate of speed.
• If you’re passing a vehicle on the left on a two-lane highway, do so with extreme care. Always make sure you have plenty of space to do so safely, and always get back into your lane as soon as you can.

Contact an Attorney if You’ve Been Involved in a Head-On Collision

If you’ve been hurt in a head-on collision due to another driver’s negligence, or another party’s negligence, you’ll need the help of an experienced attorney. The Jones Law Group has that experience, as well as a long track record of success in representing accident victims.

Schedule a free consultation as soon as possible by calling (727) 571-1333 or using our online form.