Nobody wants to go through a car accident. However, there is no way to tell when an accident will happen. Sadly, car crashes occur every day in Pennsylvania and around the country. The outcome of an automobile accident can be devastating for the victims and their families. While less common than other types of crashes, head-on collisions have the potential for causing devastating, life-threatening injuries.
Philadelphia car accident lawyer Jeffrey Reiff of The Reiff Law Firm explains more about injuries associated with head-on collisions in Pennsylvania. To schedule a free, confidential consultation about your case, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
What Is a Head-On Auto Accident?
A head-on collision is a term used to describe a crash between two vehicles driving from opposite directions. While frontal crashes are less frequent when compared to other accidents, such as truck accidents and high-speed crashes, they still pose a significant danger to all parties’ safety and life. According to Pennsylvania’s 2017 Crash Facts and Statistics Report, there were almost 5,000 head-on crashes reported.
Common Injuries After Head-On Collisions in Pennsylvania
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your crash, you could experience mild to severe injuries. Most of the injuries sustained as a result of a collision can be painful, costly, and take weeks, months or even years of recovery. Some of the most common injuries after head-on crashes include:
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can be dangerous and life-threatening. A substantial blow to the head is what causes most brain injuries. During a car accident, a victim has little control over how their body moves. The lack of control can cause a person to hit their head against things like their car’s steering wheel, the dashboard, or the windshield. A massive injury to the head can lead to internal bleeding, wounds, and skull fractures as well as serious brain trauma.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is essentially the bridge between our brain and other parts of our bodies, such as our limbs. If the spinal cord suffers damage, it cannot work correctly, causing severe health issues for the victim. Depending on the location of the injury, a person can experience severe health issues. The higher up the injury in the spinal cord, the more severe the consequences, since everything below the point of injury can be affected. In severe spinal cord injury cases, a person could develop paraplegia or other forms of paralysis.
Broken Bone Injuries
Broken bone injuries are among the most painful types of injuries. A car accident victim could break a bone due to the immense forces present during a crash. Fractures in the hands, arms, and legs are common after a car accident. This type of injury can take a long time to heal and could affect your overall quality of life.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Pennsylvania
Head-on collisions can happen for different reasons. Most of these accidents can be prevented by following traffic laws. Unfortunately, despite many efforts to avoid car accidents, drivers are still at risk of experiencing head-on collision crashes. Some of the most common causes for head-on collisions in Pennsylvania include the following:
Distracted Driving
Sadly, distracted driving is one of the leading reasons of car crashes. Electronics such as smartphones and tablets can cause drivers to take their eyes off the road. While distracted, a driver can suddenly enter the opposite lane, increasing the risk of a car accident. According to PA’s 2017 Crash Report, almost 16,000 crashes involved distracted driving.
Drunk Driving
Impaired driving mostly refers to driving under the influence (DUI), which includes both alcohol DUIs and drug DUIs. Pennsylvania is very strict when it comes to drunk or drugged driving. Despite efforts to prevent this type of accident, DUI is responsible for almost 10,000 accidents according to the state’s 2017 crash report.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a very serious traffic violation. According to Pennsylvania law, reckless driving happens when a person operates their car with complete disregard for another motorist’s safety. A typical example is passing another vehicle in a no passing zone while approaching a blind curve. A driver is at high risk of a head-on collision if he or she attempts to pass another car when they can’t see oncoming traffic. Many conditions that make driving reckless, like high speed and unsafe driving decisions, can contribute to serious or deadly car accidents.
Car Accident Attorney Offering Free Consultations in Pennsylvania
If you suffered a head-on car accident, you need immediate legal assistance. Acting quickly can help you obtain compensation from the responsible party. Let the skill and knowledge of an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer fight for you. At The Reiff Law Firm we understand what it takes to battle for your rights in court. To schedule a free initial consultation on your case, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
