If you have been involved in a head-on collision, your chances of sustaining more serious injuries are greater than those in different types of accidents.
This is mainly because a head-on accident usually occurs when both vehicles are traveling at higher rates of speed. Most other accidents involve at least one car being stationary or moving slowly in a turn.
What Is A Head-On Collision?
A head-on collision car accident involves two vehicles colliding at the front of their vehicles. In most cases, a front end accident will occur when two vehicles are driving in opposite directions, and one crosses over into the other lane, connecting with the other vehicle.
Although seat belt use is very high in Florida, over 90 percent, according to 2017 statistics, and airbags are generally deployed in a head-on crash, these accidents often lead to serious injuries.
Common Head-On Collision Injuries
When you are involved in an accident, any injury can occur. However, some injuries are more common with head-on collisions.
1. Whiplash and Spinal Cord Injuries
The impact from a head-on crash will almost always cause the people in the vehicles to be jolted back and forth on impact. This can result in spinal cord injuries as well as whiplash. Depending on the velocity at impact, the back and forth motion can also lead to serious head injuries.
2. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The accident’s impact can cause the head to quickly snap back and forth, causing the brain to move and bruise. This can lead to concussions and even more serious brain injuries. The impact from the vehicle may also have caused the airbags to deploy. If you are sitting too close to the airbags or a certain height, the airbag deployment may also lead to head and brain injuries.
3. Lower Extremity Injuries
One of the most common injuries in a head-on event is lower extremity injuries. Broken toes, ankles, legs, and knees are very common. In some serious accidents, the victim may also find themselves facing amputation due to the seriousness of the event. Injuries to the lower extremities may require extensive recovery time and therapy as you learn to walk and perform other tasks again once these areas are healed.
4. Chest / Rib Cage Injuries
If you are wearing your seatbelt, and you really should be, there is a chance that the impact will still cause you to move back and forth depending on the strength of the impact. If your seatbelts are in place, this motion can lead to a bruised or cracked sternum or ribs. In some severe cases, the broken ribs can puncture a lung. Injuries to the chest area may also occur when airbags are de[ployed.
5. Lacerations
It is not uncommon for a head-on event to cause the windshield and side windows to shatter or explode on impact. If this is the case, there is significant potential for lacerations in all areas of the body. If the impact is severe, it may also cause significant bending of the vehicle’s body, which can also lead to metal shards causing lacerations.
What To Do After A Head-On Car Accident
If you have been involved in a head-on or any other type of accident, you are encouraged to do the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you are lucky enough to get out of the vehicle on your own after the accident, you want to make sure that you are okay. A headache or upset stomach may not be your nerves from the accident, but instead a serious injury such as a concussion or internal bleeding.
- Notify your insurer. To get your medical care started, you need to inform the insurance company of the accident. Do not give a detailed statement at this time, and do not give any type of recorded statement. Inform them that you have been in an accident and seek care and contact them back shortly. You have the right to do this, regardless of what the person on the phone may say. You must report the accident within 14 days of the event, or you will not receive any benefits.
- Contact a car accident attorney. Once your injuries have been stabilized, it is time to contact an attorney. This is the only way to protect your rights as an injury victim. Insurance companies can be very challenging when you try to have your accident covered, and the best way to avoid complications is to have legal representation.
Florida Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one was in a car accident, the attorneys at Landau Law are here to help. Contact us today to set up a free and confidential consultation. We don’t collect any fees until we collect for you!
Florida Car Accident Lawyer
Car Accident Blog Posts
The Rise Of Electric Scooters, and Scooter Accidents, In Florida
Electric scooters have become a common sight on many streets in Florida, with their popularity soaring in recent years. While these eco-friendly and convenient vehicles offer an alternative mode of transportation, they have also brought about a concerning surge in...
Who is responsible if you hit an illegally parked car?
Recently a client came in and asked, "I hit an illegally parked car is it my fault?" The answer is not a simple yes or no. There will be several factors that must be considered to determine fault in this situation. Who Is Responsible If You Hit An Illegally Parked...
Who is at fault in a right turn accident?
Being involved in any type of car accident is frustrating. From the minute that the accident happens, life becomes more challenging. This is even more true if you are injured during the accident. Who Is At Fault In A Right Turn Accident? When you want to make a right...
Who is at fault in a car accident when backing up?
Driving a car in reverse is one of the most dangerous things you can do. No matter how a driver attempts to look behind them, they have a restricted view, whether they actually turn their head, use mirrors, or a backup camera. We rely on sight to drive. When you can't...
Looking at different types of car accidents
Car accidents, as terrifying as they may seem, happen all the time. With the busy lives we lead these days, it's difficult to find time for anything else. One thing we often forget is that driving is a major responsibility that should not be taken lightly- and when...
Florida GPS driving and GPS windshield mount laws
The new Florida cell phone law strictly prohibits drivers from texting while driving. The law prohibits the use of any handheld device while operating a vehicle, with a few exceptions. Under this law, drivers are allowed to use their handheld devices to notify the...
Which Florida law requires owners and operators of motor vehicles to be financially responsible?
When a person has been involved in a car accident, it is very common for them to ask one of our attorneys, "which Florida law requires owners and operators of motor vehicles to be financially responsible?" The answer to that is quite simple; the Florida Financial...
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Florida?
There are many questions that a person has after they have been involved in a car accident. How much can I sue for in a car accident? Can someone sue you for a car accident in Florida? How long can someone sue you after a car accident? How long do you have to sue...
