Injured in a head-on car wreck?
Head-On Car Accident
One of the most potentially dangerous car accident types is a head-on car accident. While less common than other accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute, there was about 143,000 head-on collisions in 2015, over 3,000 of which were fatal crashes. These accidents are so dangerous and catastrophic because most people have no idea that they are about to be struck prior to the collision. Most head-on car wrecks occur as a result of one of two (2) driver errors: a driver fails to maintain his lane or a driver enters the roadway traveling in the wrong direction.
Head-On Car Accident Caused by Failure to Maintain Lane
When a driver of an automobile fails to maintain his/her lane, the person injured as a result of this carelessness has virtually no time to react. Frequently, our car accident lawyers discover that drivers who cause head-on accidents as a result of a failure to maintain his/her lane are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or distracted while attempting to drive by a cell phone.
A driver fails to maintain his/her lane when they do the following:
Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules, in addition to all others consistent with this Code section, shall apply:
(1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety;
(2) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes, and provides for two-way movement of traffic, with two lanes in one direction, a vehicle being driven in a continuous or center lane shall have the right of way when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction;
(3) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making a left turn, or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding and such allocation is designated by official traffic-control devices or road striping;
(4) Official traffic-control devices may be erected directing specified traffic, including but not limited to buses or trucks, to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device; and
(5) Official traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-48.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Front-End Car Wrecks?
In head-on car crashes, the most prevalent sources of injuries to vehicle occupants are belt webbing/buckles, air bags, steering wheel rim, left instrument panel, and the windshield. When an occupant of a vehicle suffers a severe injury in a front-end accident, the severe injuries are likely to the head and the chest. The abdomen is another frequently injured portion in front-end crashes. Less severe injuries occur mainly to the upper/lower limbs, face, and head. Older drivers are more likely to suffer severe injuries in front-end car wrecks.
The four highest percentages of injured body regions related to the upper limbs, lower limbs, face, and head for all age groups of drivers in non-rollover frontal impact crashes. For severe injuries to drivers, the pattern of driver injured body region is also similar for the four age groups of drivers. The two highest percentages of injured body regions related to head and the chest, which are much higher than other injured body regions. The abdomen is another frequently injured body region to all age groups of drivers in non-rollover frontal impact crashes.
Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help if You Have Been Hurt in A Head-On Car Accident.
If you have been injured in a head-on car accident, our personal injury lawyers can help you maximize your recovery. Contact Sessions & Fleischman today for a free consultation.
