Philadelphia Head-On Accidents

Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous car accidents possible. When two vehicles collide with each other after moving directly towards each other, the speed at which they collide is the sum total of the speed of each car. Therefore, even if each car is traveling slowly – at 25 miles per hour – the force of the collision is actually 50 miles per hour. This makes head-on collisions especially dangerous, and the injuries that result from them particularly severe.

Because of their severity, injuries from head-on collisions are often debilitating and require extensive medical attention. This can result in significant medical bills that can be daunting to pay. The personal injury attorneys at the Philadelphia law office of Gilman & Bedigian can be the best friends you have, and can fight to ensure you get the compensation you deserve to pay for the medical care that you need.

Causes of Head-On Collisions

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous types of accidents possible. While they only account for 2.3% of total car accidents, they nevertheless make up 9.6% of fatal crashes in 2014. It is a rare head-on collision that does not injure anyone – only 1.7% of head-on crashes resulted in property damage only.

Most head-on collisions result when a driver goes the wrong way on a road, colliding with oncoming traffic. This can happen when a driver gets confused or disoriented and drives his or her vehicle the wrong way down a one-way street or onto a highway exit ramp. However, a far more likely scenario involves a driver error that takes them across the centerline of a road and into oncoming traffic.

Impaired driving is a common cause of head-on collisions. When drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they have a more difficult time keeping their vehicle on the right side of the road. This is also true if someone is too tired to drive and is having trouble staying awake. Veering into the oncoming lane creates the risk of a serious, high-speed collision if there are cars there.

Distracted driving is another common cause of head-on collisions. When drivers are fully functioning, but not paying attention to where they are going, they run the risk of drifting over the centerline and into the path of oncoming cars. Head-on collisions become increasingly common when a driver is texting or talking on the phone while driving, if they are eating, or if they do any other activity in the driver’s seat that takes their eyes off the road or hands off the wheel.

Not all head-on collisions are the fault of the driver who crossed the centerline, however. If the driver who veered into oncoming traffic lost control of their vehicle because of a mechanical defect or malfunction, then the car manufacturer might be the one responsible for the head-on crash. Additionally, drivers might veer across the centerline if they are having a medical emergency while behind the wheel, like a stroke or heart attack.

Injuries from Head-On Collisions

Because of the severity of head-on collisions, the injuries that result from them are often serious. Many are even life-threatening. This is especially true if you were not buckled up at the time of the crash. Unrestrained drivers are far more likely to be ejected from their vehicle in the event of a high-speed car accident. This often leads to serious injuries from the ejection, itself, and from being unprotected at the scene of an ongoing car accident.

The high speed of most head-on collisions make internal injuries more common than in other types of car accidents. Additionally, because the vehicles are moving towards each other, head, back, and neck injuries are more common because of the force of the deploying airbags. Finally, the high speeds of a head-on car accident can result in wrecks that trap drivers inside their cars, making it more difficult for emergency responders to provide the immediate care needed to prevent further injury.

Philadelphia Head-On Collision Attorney

The seriousness of a head-on collision makes it crucial to have a personal injury attorney on your side from the start. The severity of the injuries that frequently come from head-on collisions require extensive medical attention that can lead to significant medical bills. Additionally, the recovery process can take time, which can mean you miss work. You deserve to receive compensation for these losses. That is where the Philadelphia attorneys at Gilman & Bedigian can help. Contact our law office online or at (800) 529-6162 to get the legal representation you need.