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The U.S. Department of Transportation has extensively studied the causes and prevention of head-on collisions because these types of accidents are more deadly than other types of car accidents. When victims of head-on collisions survive the crash, they often suffer catastrophic injuries that never fully heal and leave debilitating effects that never go away. The life of the victim—and their family—can be changed forever.
Insurance companies and investigators may try to blame the victims and try to deny liability for head-on collisions. For that reason, it is crucial to start working with an experienced Decatur car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. Having a legal advisor focused on protecting your interests provides a layer of insulation between you and the insurance company. Instead of dealing with phone calls and wondering whether you might be doing something to hurt your ability to recover compensation, you can focus on healing while your attorney answers questions on your behalf.
At Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC, we understand how to hold the responsible drivers accountable when their actions lead to Decatur head-on collisions, and we stand up to insurance companies who try to deny or minimize the value of accident claims. We focus on helping you get the medical care and resources you need to rebuild your life after a crash. Our team doesn’t try to help the most possible number of clients—instead, we provide the most possible help to each client we serve.
Understanding Head-On Collisions
Engineers often refer to head-on collisions as full-frontal collisions. This type of collision involves two vehicles traveling toward each other, striking each other at the front. A head-on collision can also describe a situation where the front end of one vehicle hits a stationary object, such as a utility pole.
The physical forces involved in a head-on motor vehicle collision can be incredibly intense. Because the vehicles involved are moving toward each other, the impact incorporates the force of their combined speeds. Even if each vehicle is not moving at a high rate of speed, when the speeds are added together, it makes for a serious impact. For example, if one car traveling at 45 miles per hour collides head-on with a car driving at 40 miles per hour—well below highway speed—the combined force is the equivalent of having a vehicle hit a wall while traveling 85 miles per hour. Not surprisingly, a crash becomes more devastating when impact occurs at a higher effective speed. The combined speed factor is one reason head-on collisions are so dangerous.
In addition to speed, however, it is also important to consider the force generated by the weight of the vehicles involved in the collision. Vehicles with more weight, such as trucks, generate more force when they collide. If one vehicle is heavier than the other, such as when a truck collides with a compact car, the force transmitted through the structure of the smaller vehicle can be extremely damaging. The “crumple zone,” which is designed to absorb and deflect force during a collision, is often not sufficient to reduce the energy of the impact in a head-on collision, so the driver and passengers feel the full force of impact at the combined high rate of speed.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions occur with far more frequency on undivided roads, and they tend to lead to more fatalities when they occur in rural areas because of the high rates of speed on undivided highways. Curves or slick pavement can also make head-on collisions more likely. However, all licensed drivers should be aware of these risks and take appropriate safety precautions. Actions such as glancing at a phone while driving could cause a driver to hit a curb in a city or suburb but could lead to a head-on collision on an undivided highway. Drivers need to be extra vigilant about following proper driving practices when they are driving at high speeds on an undivided road.
The team at Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC has seen numerous causes of Decatur head-on collisions, most of which are due to negligence on the part of a driver. Some of the most common causes include:
Driving While Distracted
Although distracted driving has always been a primary cause of accidents, the prevalence of cell phones and other tech devices has increased the problem significantly. Even drivers who are careful to avoid texting or dialing the phone may take their attention away from the road to check GPS instructions, change a music selection, or adjust a seat warmer.
Commuters, in particular, often get distracted by trying to multitask, such as eating breakfast or shaving on the way to work. A driver’s eyes could be on the road, but if their mind is replaying an argument or worried about a change in the office, then they can fail to react to driving situations as they should. The fact is that driving is an extremely dangerous occupation, and many drivers fail to give the task the attention it deserves. On an undivided road, inattention can prove to be fatal.
Driving While Impaired
Many factors can impair a driver’s ability to stay within the lane, and when that happens, a head-on collision in Decatur becomes quite likely. Driving requires mental judgment and the physical ability to control the vehicle, and both can be impaired by issues such as:
- The use of over-the-counter or prescription cold medicine
- Alcohol consumption
- Fatigue or sleepiness
- Marijuana use
- Other drugs or medications
Even when a driver is allowed to take a certain substance, such as a prescription drug, that does not mean they should be driving while under the influence of that substance. Drivers can be found negligent for operating a vehicle while they are groggy or sleepy. When a driver is in a condition where they cannot think or react properly, they should not be driving, and if they choose to take the risk and others suffer as a result, then they should be held accountable.
Recklessness and Poor Judgment
Many drivers understand what they should do and choose to ignore appropriate driving practices. They speed because they’re in a hurry or simply impatient. They can’t stand to drive behind slower traffic, so they pass when it is not safe. They make alterations to their vehicle to make it look cool, even when the alterations affect visibility or the performance of the vehicle. All of these reckless actions can make a head-on collision more likely. When someone acts recklessly, they are deliberately ignoring the potential that their actions have to cause harm to others. Reckless driving is a crime, and when it leads to an accident, the team at Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC works to hold the reckless driver responsible for injuries and damage that result.
Other Factors That Can Lead to Head-On Collisions
In many Decatur head-on collisions, various factors can combine to cause the collision. It is important to work with a Decatur car accident lawyer who is prepared to investigate to ascertain all of the causes, preserve evidence to adequately demonstrate the causes, and persuasively explain causation and allocation of responsibility so that the accident victims can receive full and fair compensation for their losses.
Other factors that can contribute to a head-on collision include driver confusion, such as when a driver mistakenly turns the wrong way on a one-way street, poor road design, and lack of proper signage. When a third party’s acts of negligence contribute to an accident, the team at Michael M. Day Law Firm works to hold these parties accountable as well as the other driver involved.
Injuries and Damages After a Head-On Collision
Head-on collisions often result in serious injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Fractured or crushed bones
- Damage to internal organs
- Soft-tissue injuries
Victims of head-on collisions in Decatur often live with pain for the rest of their lives. They may have trouble concentrating or performing basic daily tasks due to damage to the brain and central nervous system. Often, they are unable to return to work and require assistance or adaptations to the home.
When a Decatur car accident lawyer is able to prove that the negligence of others caused a head-on collision, then injured victims and their families may be able to receive compensation to offset a wide variety of effects. Our team works to recover damages for both tangible and intangible effects. Tangible losses include medical bills, amounts needed to cover future medical expenses, and amounts lost due to time missed at work. Intangible losses can often be much more devastating and long-lasting, and so we work to recover much higher amounts for intangible effects such as pain, suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Find Out How Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC Can Protect You and Your Family After a Head-on Collision
Physical and psychological injuries from Decatur head-on collisions can make it impossible to work or even to properly care for yourself or your surroundings. When you suffer this type of loss, you deserve to have a dedicated car accident lawyer in Decatur to help you get the medical care and financial resources you need to rebuild your life and support your family.
Michael M. Day Law Firm is ready to help. Contact us online or call 404-480-4284 today to get started with a free consultation and case evaluation. We offer the personalized attention of a small firm but with the experience, skill, and resources of a large firm so we can provide the right services to meet your needs with compassion and respect.