Head-On Collision Accidents in Los Angeles

Head-on collisions result in more fatalities and catastrophic injuries than any other type of car accident. In 2005, head-on collision accidents accounted for only 2% of crashes in the U.S., but accounted for 10% of fatalities. If you are involved in a Los Angeles head-on collision with another car or truck, you should speak to an attorney about your legal rights to compensation for your injuries. 

Causes of Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions fall into the category of lane-departure accidents. For a head-on collision accident to occur, the driver of a vehicle must fail to stay in their lane when they should have. Mostly, head-on crashes are due to some form of negligence, but also may be the result of a defective or dangerous roadway or even a vehicle malfunction. Causes of head-on collision crashes in Los Angeles include:

• Driver distraction (cell phone, texting, GPS)
• Driver fatigue (falling asleep at the wheel)
• Swerving to avoid debris or animal
• Unsafe passing
• Drinking and driving
• Center line obscured by weather conditions

Another form of head-on collision is a wrong-way driving crash, which usually occurs when a driver enters a freeway via an off-ramp instead of an on-ramp. These types of wrong-way collisions are most often associated with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Physics of Head-On Collision Crashes

A common question in beginning physics classes is: Which causes more damage – two cars travelling at 30 mph hitting each other head-on or a single vehicle hitting a parked car at 60 mph? To put it simply, the impact is equivalent. Without getting too technical, collisions between cars are governed by the basic laws of physics, momentum and energy.  If two vehicles are both travelling 50 mph and strike each other head-on, the force of impact is the same as a car striking a stationary object (such as a parked car) at 100 mph. This is due to the law of conservation of linear momentum, a fundamental law of nature. If the car that strikes you is heavier (for example, a semi-truck) or is travelling faster, the impact puts you at greater risk for fatality or catastrophic injury.

Los Angeles Head-On Crash Injuries

Head-on crashes frequently cause serious or critical injuries to drivers and passengers. Common injuries from head-on collisions include

• Arm injuries and fractures
• Brain injuries
• Burn injuries
• Foot injuries and fractures
• Hand injuries and fractures
• Head injuries
• Internal damage and bleeding
• Leg  injuries and fractures
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Wrongful death

Compensation for Los Angeles Head-On Collision Accidents

Injuries from head-on collisions can be life-changing, and the financial consequences can be devastating. If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a Los Angeles head-on collision accident, you should speak to an attorney about your legal rights to compensation. You may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, earnings lost as a result of not being able to work, and damages for pain and suffering. Call the Los Angeles auto accident attorneys at Estey & Bomberger for a free consultation. If we represent you in your personal injury claim, we will not charge any fees unless we win your case.