A head-on collision is one of the most harmful types of road accidents. It occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide or when a single vehicle crashes directly into a stationary vehicle or roadway impediment. Such collisions produce impact forces much greater than those in other kinds of collisions. Therefore, vehicle occupants are more likely to suffer serious injuries.

Most head-on collisions result from a vehicle traveling off a designated lane or area, such as when one vehicle is on the wrong side of the road. A single-vehicle head-on crash can happen when a driver inadvertently leaves the roadway. Common causes of head-on collisions include:

• Driving while intoxicated — Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are often unaware of what they are doing and veer into the wrong lane or off the road.
• Improper passing — A driver trying to pass another motorist might not leave sufficient time and distance to move back into the proper lane in order to avoid hitting an oncoming vehicle.
• Lack of situational awareness — Some vehicles end up on the wrong side of the road or drive off the roadway due to a driver’s distraction, inattention or fatigue.
• Reckless driving — Speeding and/or weaving in and out of travel lanes can cause the driver to lose control and crash into an oncoming vehicle or an object near the roadway.
• Mistake — On occasion a person drives the wrong way on a divided highway. This often happens where a driver enters the highway at a poorly marked intersection.

Head-on collisions can result in one or more of these common injuries:

• Blunt force trauma — Forces from the collision are transferred from the vehicle to the occupants. Sudden deceleration and/or contact with objects or surfaces in the vehicle often causes serious injury to one or more parts of the body.
• Traumatic brain Injury (TBI) — Brain injuries due to head trauma are all too common in head-on collisions. TBIs vary in degree and can leave the victim completely incapacitated.
• Spinal cord injury — Compression or tearing of the spinal cord can result in paralysis.
• Broken bones — Contact with parts of the vehicle or other objects often results in broken limbs, ribs or other parts of the skeleton.
• Whiplash — The sudden deceleration caused by an impact often results in neck injuries as the body absorbs some of the force. The symptoms of whiplash may take days to manifest.
• Cuts and lacerations — Glass and metal shattered or deformed by the accident can cause severe cuts and lacerations.

People suffering these injuries are entitled to sue for compensatory damages, covering their medical bills, lost wages and other related costs. After a fatal head-on collision, the victim’s family may be able to sue for wrongful death.

From its office in Hamden and East Haven, Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. represents injured road accident victims and their families throughout Connecticut. Contact us online or call 203-745-0942 for a free initial consultation.