Head-on Car Accidents
While all auto accidents can be very serious, head-on car accidents are the deadliest. The impact can cause catastrophic injuries even if you are wearing a seatbelt and have functioning airbags. The car accident lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC have helped many families recovering from the aftermath of front-end collisions.
The team of attorneys at our Bellevue, WA, law firm would like to consider the dangers of head-on collisions. We’ll note possible causes, the kinds of injuries sustained, and how we can hold negligent drivers accountable for causing a front-end crash.
The Dangers of Head-on Collisions
According to state-by-state data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 497 fatal crashes in Washington state in 2018, resulting in 546 deaths. Additional IIHS statistics on vehicle occupants and crash types found that frontal impacts caused 56 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities in 2018.
For perspective on these 2018 numbers, head-on impacts in multi-vehicle crashes caused 15 driver deaths for every million registered vehicles; in single-vehicle crashes, that number was 10 deaths per million registered vehicles. Side-impact multi-vehicle crashes resulted in five deaths per million registered vehicles and one death per million in single-vehicle crashes.
The numbers prove what you probably know: the sheer amount of force from these head-on collisions can cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries.
What Causes Head-on Car Accidents?
Some of the most common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Driver Distraction - Distracted driving can take many forms, from texting while driving to grooming while behind the wheel. Anything that diverts attention from the road makes head-on crashes more likely.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) - Driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and greatly increases the risk of a deadly collision.
- Driver Fatigue - Many people drive when they are sleepy or exhausted. Drowsy driving can be just as deadly as drunk driving, impairing reflexes and decision-making skills.
- Overtaking Vehicles - Overtaking a slower-vehicle on a two-lane road can be dangerous. Drivers who act irresponsibly could strike an oncoming vehicle in the opposite lane of traffic.
- Poor Weather Conditions - Rain, snow, and fog can reduce visibility, making it difficult to see oncoming motorists and hazards.
- Debris in the Road - If there is some kind of object or debris in the road, it can cause drivers to swerve out of the way into other lanes or oncoming traffic.
The Lasting Effects of a Head-on Collision
Our Bellevue car accident lawyers have seen how head-on collisions can affect accident survivors. The physical trauma they’ve experienced can severely affect mobility, cognitive function, and quality of life.
In the case of fatal head-on collisions, households have to deal with the grief of losing a loved one as well as financial losses associated with emergency medical care and funeral services.
Legal Damages in Head-on Accident Cases
During a car accident lawsuit, our attorneys will help clients seek damages to cover vehicle and property damage, medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and lost future earnings. In fatal front-end collisions, we can also help surviving family members receive damages for funeral expenses and the emotional pain and suffering they’ve experienced.
Speak with Our Lawyers
If you have been involved in a head-on car accident, the attorneys at Quick Law Group, PLLC can help hold the negligent driver accountable. We encourage you to schedule a legal consultation online or call our law office in Bellevue at (425) 576-8150.