The most terrifying thing you can see while driving is another car or truck barreling towards you. While you may or may not spot a head-on collision coming, you will certainly feel the sudden impact of the crash. If you or a loved one have been the victim of someone else’s negligence on the road, a top-rated Florida personal injury lawyer can help you get full and fair compensation for your injuries.
What Is A Head-On Collision?
A head-on collision is also commonly referred to as a frontal collision. These types of vehicular crashes usually occur when two vehicles that are driving in opposite directions collide into one another. They can happen with a car, truck, or motorcycle. When a car strikes a stationary object, such as a tree, light pole, or cement barrier, it could also be classified as a head-on collision.
Why Is A Head-On Collision More Dangerous?
Although head-on collisions are rare compared to other types of car accidents, statistics show they are the most dangerous and deadly of all crashes. According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2017 only two percent of nationwide crashes were head-on collisions. However, they accounted for over ten percent of fatal crashes.
The severity of injuries associated with a front-end crash are typically much more significant when compared to other types of crashes, such as a rear-end collision. Head-on crashes produce the greatest force of impact because both cars are moving right before they collide. While any auto accident can be perilous, these types of accidents are notorious for causing serious and life-threatening injuries.
Three Areas in Florida Where Head-On Collisions Are Most Prominent
- Interstate 95 (I-95) in Miami-Dade County I-95 is one of the busiest highways in Florida, stretching from Miami in the south to the northern part of the state. The section that runs through Miami-Dade County is notorious for heavy traffic, high speeds, and frequent accidents, including head-on collisions. The high volume of vehicles, frequent lane changes, and the presence of large trucks contribute to the increased risk of severe crashes.
- U.S. Route 1 in the Florida Keys U.S. Route 1, particularly the segment known as the Overseas Highway, connects the Florida Keys to the mainland. This scenic route is popular with tourists but poses significant risks due to its narrow, two-lane design and limited passing zones. The combination of local traffic, tourist drivers unfamiliar with the road, and occasional hazardous weather conditions makes head-on collisions more likely on this stretch.
- State Road 50 (SR 50) in Central Florida State Road 50 runs across central Florida, from the east coast near Titusville to the west coast near Weeki Wachee. Sections of SR 50 pass through both urban and rural areas, with varying road conditions. The rural stretches, in particular, can be hazardous due to high-speed limits, limited visibility at night, and occasional wildlife crossings. These factors, along with the mix of local and through traffic, contribute to a higher incidence of head-on collisions.
Causes Of Head-On Collisions
The majority of head-on collisions in Florida can be attributed to one driver traveling the wrong way, either by crossing the centerline of the roadway or simply by driving in the opposite direction that is marked. Most wrong-way accidents stem from a motorist not exercising reasonable care while driving. There is no one single cause of front impact crashes, but some common reasons these crashes happen include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving endangers life and property and is the cause of many head-on collisions. As technology use increases, the rate of crashes caused by cell phone use has increased as well. Texting while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal in 48 states. Other activities that take drivers’ attention off the road include loud music, adjusting controls in the car, consuming food, and speaking with passengers. It is easy for cars to drift across the center line when the driver is inattentive.
Impaired Driving
Unfortunately, some Florida drivers are irresponsible enough to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication. Drinking alcohol and using drugs has a profound effect on driving skills, reducing a driver’s reaction time considerably. Many times, intoxicated motorists don’t realize they are driving the wrong way until it’s too late. Driving while impaired is a frequently occurring cause of head-on crashes and often leads to the most devastating consequences.
Fatigued Driving
Operating a motor vehicle while sleep deprived can have similar effects as drinking and driving. Drowsy driving often occurs when a driver has not slept enough, has worked long shift hours, or has been on the road for an extended period of time. A number of frontal impact crashes are caused by tired drivers who fall asleep at the steering wheel and veer into oncoming traffic. The accident can happen in the blink of an eye and can cause serious injuries and even death.
Driver Confusion
There are times a driver becomes confused when traveling on an unfamiliar road and may end up heading in the wrong direction as a result. Confusion over one-way roads has been cited as the cause of many car crashes. Aging drivers often have trouble seeing at night, causing them to enter highways and ramps going the wrong side of the road. Regardless of the reason, driver confusion puts roadway users at a risk for serious head-on collisions.
Speeding
It is a well-known fact that speeding endangers everyone on the road. Motor vehicle operators who drive well above the posted speed limit or drive too fast for the road conditions are more likely to lose control of their car and skid into oncoming traffic. When two vehicles crash head-on at a high speed, it is almost guaranteed that the victims will suffer catastrophic, if not deadly injuries.
Improper Passing
Many front-end collisions occur on rural two-lane highways, especially in Florida. Impatient drivers often become frustrated when they are stuck behind a slow traveling vehicle, like a semi-truck. These drivers may choose to pass the car ahead of them on a double yellow line. Passing on a two-lane road is always risky, even if it is legal. Anytime a driver intentionally enters the lane of oncoming traffic, they risk causing a head-on crash.
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Head-On Car Accident Common Injuries In Florida
No matter what the cause of the head-on car wreck, drivers and passengers can suffer from extreme physical trauma resulting in debilitating injuries. Even safety features such as airbags and seatbelts may not protect occupants from devastating or fatal injuries in frontal crashes. Some of the most commonly reported types of injuries include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Head injuries and concussions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal organ damage
Unfortunately, death is not an uncommon scenario for those who have been involved in a head-on collision. When a driver’s carelessness causes an accident resulting in injury or death, a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit can be filed to help the victim and their family members receive just compensation for any related economic and non-economic losses. Our compassionate auto injury attorneys in Florida are fully prepared to litigate your case in court if necessary, to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Who Is At Fault In A Head-On Car Crash?
After a head-on collision leaves you injured, you may be wondering if your case qualifies for compensation. All successful personal injury lawsuits have one thing in common- proof of negligence. Cases involving head-on crashes are no exception. In order to win your case and get a favorable outcome, you will have to prove the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: First, you will have to prove that the other driver owed you a duty of care. Drivers are required by law to operate motor vehicles in a safe and reasonable way to avoid injury to others. This duty includes remaining in the proper lane and taking the correct precautions not to cause a head on collision.
- Breach of duty: Next, you will have to prove that the at-fault driver violated their duty to drive safely. When a driver engages in unlawful or risky behavior, such as, speeding or texting while driving, he or she has failed to uphold the duty of care.
- Causation: The victim will have to provide proof that the driver’s breach of duty caused the injury they received. For example, the driver swerved into oncoming traffic after falling asleep at the wheel and crashed into your vehicle, causing you to sustain a broken leg.
- Damages: Lastly, the injured party will need to provide a monetary estimate for all losses associated with the head-on collision. There are several types of damages you may claim including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
If you were recently the victim in a head-on collision, you must understand that the goal of the insurance company is to make a profit, not offer large payouts. Insurance adjusters may try to blame you for the accident, either entirely or partially. Most will utilize hardball tactics to devalue, diminish, or deny your injury claim. Many accident victims call us for a free case evaluation after being treated unfairly by the insurance carrier. Protect your rights by hiring a knowledgeable and trusted auto accident attorney that won’t back down until the insurer agrees to maximum compensation for your injuries.
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Head-On Auto Accident Attorney
No one expects to be involved in a head-on car accident when they head out on Florida’s roadways, but the unexpected happens every day. Luckily, when your front-end crash is caused by another driver’s negligence, you can expect to secure payment for your injuries. The tenacious car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig have the resources to take on the insurance company and the determination to hold them accountable. To see if we are the right Florida law firm for you, contact our dedicated team of car accident attorneys today for a free consultation.
