A head-on collision occurs when two drivers traveling in opposite directions strike each other from the front. Head-on accidents can be extremely dangerous because of the combined force of the two vehicles.
These crashes are likely to cause serious injuries or death, especially when they occur at high speeds.
If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured or killed in a head-on collision in South Carolina, it is very important that you take action right away to protect your legal rights.
At Joye Law Firm, our Charleston auto accident lawyers have nearly 250 years of combined experience representing victims of head-on collisions. Respect, compassion and care are what you can expect from our lawyers and staff. Since 1968, we have helped injured people like you not only to recover the money they are entitled to but also to regain their lives.
Let us help you, too. Call Joye Law Firm. You can call us or fill out an online form for a free case review.
Causes of Head-On Collisions in South Carolina
Head-on collisions are broadly categorized as either lane-departure accidents or wrong-way accidents. Two cars may collide head-on in these types of accidents due to:
- Drivers failing to pay attention to traffic signs and signals, leading them to drive the wrong way down divided highways or one-way roads.
- Drivers passing at an unsafe time. When a road allows two-way traffic and a driver passes, legally or illegally, by using the opposite lane, this can create a situation where the driver fails to notice an oncoming vehicle.
- Drivers swerving to avoid road debris or stopped vehicles. This can cause a driver to enter the oncoming lane and strike a vehicle moving in the opposite direction.
- Drivers going around curves too quickly and veering into the opposite lane.
- Drivers drifting into oncoming traffic because they are distracted. Talking on a cell phone, texting, tending to children in the back of a vehicle, changing the music or otherwise paying attention to anything other than the road can lead to this type of accident.
- Drivers operating a vehicle when intoxicated. This can increase the chance that a driver will go into the wrong lane and cause a head-on collision.
- A driver who falls asleep when behind the wheel. These types of accidents are often the most dangerous and deadly since the driver may not brake at all prior to impact, resulting in the two vehicles colliding at high speeds.
- Bad weather conditions. Water, ice or snow on the roads can interfere with visibility and can cause a driver to lose control of his or her vehicle, resulting in that driver veering into the wrong lane and causing a head-on collision.
These are just some examples of situations where head-on collisions are likely to occur. In many cases, head-on collisions happen very quickly, leaving the driver who is in the correct lane with little time to react or to protect himself or herself from the oncoming vehicle.
Serious Injuries from Head-On Collisions
In a head-on collision, the force of the impact is determined by the speed of both of the vehicles involved. For example, if there are two vehicles and each is traveling at 50 mph, the force of the collision will essentially be the equivalent of colliding with a fixed object while going 100 mph. This fact helps to explain why head-on collisions often result in such serious injuries.
Examples of some of the injuries that may result from a head-on crash include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Anything from a mild concussion to permanent brain damage can result from a head-on collision.
- Bone fractures from the force of the impact, from striking objects or the airbag in the vehicle, or from being thrown from the vehicle.
- Cuts and lacerations, often from being thrown into the windshield or striking the interior of the vehicle.
- Internal injuries. Internal injuries are often not identified immediately but can be deadly if you do not get prompt medical attention.
- Spinal cord damage can cause partial or total paralysis. Spine injuries are most likely for persons who are not wearing a seat belt and who are ejected or thrown from the vehicle.
Contact Our Charleston Head-on Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been seriously injured in a head-on collision in South Carolina, you need lawyers you can trust to obtain the money and benefits you deserve. For a no-cost consultation, call Joye Law Firm or fill out our online case evaluation form.
