Roadway departures are responsible for a majority of highway deaths.
A vehicle may depart from the lane and cross the center line causing a head-on collision, or collide into another vehicle in the adjacent lane; the results are often devastating.
Injuries Resulting From a Head-On Collision
The victim of a head-on collision may suffer from any one of the following:
- Fractures.
- Head or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Soft tissue injury (including cuts and bruises).
- Hyperextension of the spine.
- Neck injury.
Shoulder belts, air bags, and other safety restraints can also cause injuries to the ribs and chest in a head on-collision.
Preventing Head-On Collisions
Federal government, local county agencies, and other agencies that design and build roads need to take steps to enhance pavement safety, such as installing rumble strips, employing safety edge asphalt paving techniques, and improving pavement friction. Pavement markings and reflective signs can considerably increase night time visibility and reduce crashes. Although these technologies are readily available, constraints of time and budget often make it difficult to employ and maintain them. When an accident is caused by improperly maintained or defectively designed roads, then the responsible parties such as contractors, designers, sub-contractors, government agencies, and engineers may be held liable.
It is important to understand that head-on collisions occur even on the most well designed roads. Numerous accidents occur when drivers negligently or intentionally leave the lane without proper signaling or checking the traffic pattern. There are various other reasons why head-on collisions happen.
Texting or Speaking on a Cell Phone
Cell phone use is the most common cause of driver distraction. Only a few seconds of cell phone use can cause a driver to leave the lane and cross over to the other side.
Driver Fatigue
Truck operators, night shift workers, and other sleep deprived individuals often suffer from driver fatigue. The reflexes of a sleep deprived driver are often compromised, and the individual has a higher likelihood of falling asleep while driving.
Older Drivers
Reflexes of older drivers are often slower. They tend to feel confused and may find it difficult to move out of the way of traffic. There are cases where older drivers traveled the wrong way, made a highway exit through an entrance ramp, or crossed over the center line causing a head-on collision.
Collateral Accidents
These accidents result when several vehicles bounce off each other and one or more of the vehicles gets pushed into oncoming traffic or across the center line.
Driving Under the Influence
A large number of head-on collisions involve drug or alcohol use. Intoxicated drivers do not have the ability to calculate direction and distance and may cross over the center line and hit another vehicle head on.
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a head-on collision caused by a cross over accident, you may recover all damages from the party at fault. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242. We will help you fight for your rightful compensation.