What Are the Most Common Causes of Head-On Collisions?
Any day you get behind the wheel can be your last.
That sounds dramatic, but the average Alabama driver has a 90% chance of being involved in a car accident in their lifetime, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ADOT).
That is why it’s a very good idea to take driving seriously.
Attorney Chip Nix has been representing individuals injured in car collisions of all types in his four-decade career. Please do not hesitate to call his Montgomery office to begin a conversation about a serious head-on collision or any car crash.
Cause of Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision is potentially the most serious among all the collisions – a side swipe, T-bone, or rear-end collision. That’s because the velocity of each vehicle adds to the crash impact.
Say you are going 30 miles per hour, crashing head-on with another vehicle traveling at 30 mph. You have a 60-mph crash with enough velocity to cause serious injury, even death.
It’s estimated about ten percent of fatal car accidents result from head-on collisions. Alabama continues to have one of the highest fatal crash rates in the nation, and deadly crashes increased by 26 percent from 2020 through 2022, according to a study by University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) researchers.
Various factors can lead to a head-on car collision. They include:
- Intoxicated Drivers – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol leads to impaired driving and an inability to make sound judgments. If the driver begins to drift into oncoming traffic, he may not have the presence of mind to pull back into his lane before causing a head-on collision.
- Tired Drivers – Much like an intoxicated driver, a fatigued driver can fall asleep behind the wheel, leading to poor decision-making and an inability to pull back into your lane before a head-on collision. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC) reports that in the last 30 days, one in 25 drivers say they have fallen asleep while driving.
- Disobeying Traffic Signals – A driver who disregards traffic signals to overtake another driver or get to his destination sooner risks everyone on the road. Stop signs and red lights serve the purpose of regulating the flow of traffic. You are not the only one on the road. Additionally, disregarding a one-way traffic signal or sign can lead you directly into a head-on.
- Speeding – Besides making it difficult to see road signs and other vehicles, speeding and aggressive driving can make it more challenging to control a car and keep it safely on the road.
- Road Design – Occasionally, roadway construction can lead to confused drivers who don’t understand which lane to take. Adequate signage can be moved during road construction, and poorly marked lanes, no center dividers, and blind spots contribute to head-on collisions, especially if a driver is speeding.
- Poor weather conditions – Poor weather can impact visibility and traction. Whether it’s rain, snow, ice, sleep, or fog, adverse weather can make it difficult to maintain control of the car, especially if you do not adjust your speed downward when the weather is poor.
- Medical Emergency – A head-on collision can result when one vehicle’s driver suddenly loses consciousness and drifts into oncoming traffic. If you are alert and see this happening, veer out of the way of oncoming traffic and do not assume he will correct his trajectory.
- Vehicle Defects – When a car is out of control due to a defect, there is little a driver can do. There may be a recalled item that the manufacturer never fixed, or an exploding airbag or tire can cause havoc for a driver trying to control a vehicle.
The rate of fatalities increases when a driver is not wearing a seat belt. He is likely to be thrown from the vehicle and suffer serious traumatic brain injury and broken bones.
One can also experience a head-on collision with a static object such as a bridge overpass, a road divider, a tree, or a building.
Your Alabama Personal Injury, Car Accident Attorney
Montgomery attorney Chip Nix has represented individuals injured in head-on collisions in his 40 years of practicing law. In investigating this type of accident, Mr. Nix will determine if either driver was driving intoxicated or tired, the adequacy of the roadway signage, and weather conditions for their contribution to the accident.
Since Alabama is an at-fault state, it’s essential to determine who caused the accident to determine who is liable for compensation, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one are involved in a head-on collision, you must contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. Attorney Chip Nix can help you during this difficult time with settlement negotiations and, if necessary, trial preparation. Mr. Nix is available for a complimentary consultation at (334) 203-6669 at his Montgomery office, but time is ticking, and essential evidence may go away if you delay.
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