A head-on collision is when the front of one motor vehicle strikes the front of another motor vehicle. When two cars collide head-on, it can be both terrifying and extremely dangerous for the people in both vehicles. Head-on crashes often happen at high rates of speed, which means there’s an intense amount of force behind the impact.
Drivers and passengers are not only jostled by the force of the crash, but also face the dangers of flying glass from shattered windshields, and twisted metal as the front end of the car crumples and collapses into the passenger compartment. Injuries in head-on collisions are often serious and cause 10 percent of all car accident fatalities.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a head-on collision, contact a car accident lawyer from our firm at (312) 236-2900 for a free, consultation.
Causes of Head-On Accidents in Chicago
Traffic safety data show that most head-on crashes happen on rural roads. Many of these roads are two-lane highways with no center median to keep cars or commercial trucks from passing or drifting into the opposite lane of travel.
Head-on crashes are often caused by passenger cars or professional commercial truck drivers who are intoxicated, drowsy, or distracted. Several factors may lead them to drift across the center line into another lane and collide with oncoming traffic.
Head-on accidents also may be caused by drivers who negligently or recklessly cross the center line to pass another car when it isn’t safe to do so. An additional driving behavior that may cause head-on crashes is when a car or commercial truck drivers take curves at too high a speed and lose control of their vehicles. The sudden changing of lanes due to road construction or a stopped vehicle can lead to head-on collisions as well.
What Happens When a Commercial Truck Is Involved?
Head-on collisions that involve commercial trucks are typically more complicated and serious than those that involve cars. If a tractor-trailer driver violates a traffic law by speeding, failing to give right-of-way, or driving aggressively, the State of Illinois will generally consider this violation to be “prima facie” evidence of negligence, meaning that the straightforward and obvious cause of the head-on collision was ill-fated behavior by the truck driver.
In legal terms, it means that the violation will constitute a negligent act in the absence of evidence of justification. When there is plenty of justification, the facts are to be considered when the court or other legal body is determining the presence of negligence.
There is a higher threshold for negligence for commercial truck drivers and trucking industry operators. Commercial truck drivers must follow more laws than drivers of common passenger vehicles because there are many federal and state regulations that govern commercial transportation. These regulations impose specific requirements regarding the hours a big rig driver can drive, the weight of the cargo, the size of the vehicle, and many other aspects of the trucking industry. Since head-on collisions involving trucks are incredibly complex, consulting Chicago truck accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can help get you started with your claim.
Common Injuries in Head-On Accidents
The types of injuries that result from head-on collisions can be very serious, requiring significant medical care and lengthy recovery periods. Often, victims of these kinds of car wrecks experience multiple types of injuries that can include any number of the following:
Head and Brain Injuries
When you’re involved in a forceful collision, your head may be whipped back and forth from the impact. This can cause your brain to impact against the inside of your skull, which can result in damage to numerous brain functions. A head-on collision also could result in objects striking your head, which can lead to a concussion, or even penetrating your head, which can cause brain damage.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
The force of a head-on collision could cause a variety of injuries to your back or spinal cord. You could experience a slipped or herniated disc, which can be extremely painful and usually requires surgery and a lengthy recovery. You also could experience a bruised or broken spinal column, which could result in nerve damage or paralysis.
Neck Injuries or Whiplash
When you experience an intense impact such as a head-on crash, your neck may be stretched beyond its normal length. Your spine is designed to be flexible and to absorb shocks, but when your neck is unnaturally extended, it can result in the injury known as whiplash. Whiplash can be painful and affect your day-to-day functions. Other common neck injuries you may experience in a head-on crash include painful slipped or herniated discs, or a broken neck, which at a minimum is extremely painful and can result in paralysis.
Soft Tissue Injuries
You may experience painful damage to your muscles, ligaments, or tendons. These injuries can be quite painful, and sometimes the pain is long-term, especially if not properly treated soon after the accident.
Broken Bones
Broken arms, legs, or ribs are not uncommon in a head-on crash as the front end of the car crumples and pushes into the driver or passenger seats. Airbags can minimize the force of the impact, but can cause injuries themselves.
Lost Limbs
In very serious crashes, limbs may be crushed or severed, or be so badly damaged that amputation is the only course of action.
Cuts
Cuts to the face or body from shattered windshields or side windows can be very serious and require plastic surgery to minimize scarring.
Call a Chicago Head-On Collision Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in a head-on collision caused by another person, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Monetary compensation may include payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement and disability, and loss of normal life. Whether you’re able to receive compensation will depend upon the circumstances of your accident, but the experienced lawyers and Chicago truck accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can evaluate your case and determine whether you might have a successful claim.
Contact us at (312) 236-2900 for a free legal case evaluation.
