Phoenix Attorneys for Victims of Head-on Collisions on Arizona Roads

Head-on collisions are especially frightening and dangerous, because of how the vehicles’ speeds are multiplied and how quickly they happen, and how many drivers had little to no time to react.

Head-on collisions also are one of the most deadly accidents occurring on US roads each year, often on the freeway. Head-on collisions only make up 2% of recorded accidents in the US every year, but over 10% prove to be fatal. Head-on accidents are more likely to be fatal than any other kind of accident, except for rollover accidents. Head-on collisions are more likely to result in a death because colliding head-on is about the same as crashing into a wall: there’s nothing to absorb the impact.  Head-on collisions also frequently result in broken bones and other bone injuries.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on crash, it’s important to work with attorneys who understand high-impact collisions, and who have a track record of getting results for injured clients. The injury attorneys at Thompson Law Firm in Phoenix have a long track record of helping clients win compensation and justice.

Contact Thompson Law Firm today, or read on to learn more about head-on collisions in Arizona.

Common Head-on Car Crash Injuries

Our team of accident attorneys has represented head-on crashes over the years, and each case had unique circumstances and outcomes. Though some victims of head-on collisions completely recover, many drivers’ injuries are longer-lasting permanent.

The nature of head-on crashes is such that injuries will likely be significant and have longer-lasting implications. The severity of those injuries depends on factors like the speeds of the vehicles, the relatives sizes and weights of the vehicles, safety features of the vehicles, and more.

Common injuries that result from head-on crashes include neck and shoulder injuries such as whiplash, spinal and pelvic injuries, as well as head injuries.

Concussion and traumatic brain injuries are tragically common after a head-on accident due to the acceleration force and sudden stop of hitting another vehicle. These types of injuries often have devastating and long-lasting effects on an individual, impacting him or her for life. Brain and spinal injuries typically need extensive medical attention, often permanently change one’s lifestyle, and even alter one’s personality due to his or her living in constant pain.

Where Head-on Collisions Often Happen in Arizona

Many head-on crashes occur on rural roads, often on undivided two-lane roads. Head-on crashes are also more common in places like construction zones, where the lane size is reduced and the usual dividers may not be present. Highway ramps are also a common place for head-on collisions, because drivers may confuse on-ramps with off-ramps. Perhaps counter-intuitively, most head-on crashes don’t relate to failed attempts to pass on a two-lane road

Causes of Head-on Collisions

According to an analysis of the FARS data, most head-on crashes result from a motorist making an unintentional maneuver (e.g. swerving into the oncoming traffic). That can be caused by:

• Falling asleep at the wheel
• Being distracted by something or someone inside or outside of the car – like a cell phone, the radio, or a passenger
• Drunk driving
• Driving too fast on a curve
• Slippery road conditions (rain and ice)
• Tire blow-outs and other mechanical problems
• Swerving to avoid debris or an animal or pedestrian in the road
• Over-compensating after drifting onto the shoulder
• Poor visibility (e.g. fog or rain) that obscures the center line
• Driving the wrong way.

Examples of Head-on Collisions in Arizona

Several accidents in the Phoenix area in May and June of 2014 illustrate how wrong-way head-on accidents can happen:

• A Mesa police sergeant was killed by a wrong-way driver as he came around a blind curve on a flyover ramp off Interstate 10 in the East Valley.
• A 68-year-old woman with a blood alcohol content of .18 % (twice the legal limit) was driving the wrong way on the loop 202 freeway in Gilbert with her nine-year-old grandson when she collided head-on with another vehicle. Two others were killed, and the grandson was seriously injured.
• Three people from Indonesia were killed and three others seriously injured in a wrong-way head-on collision on Interstate 17 near Bumblebee Road.
• Two men were injured in a wrong-way head-on crash on State Road 143.

Injuries in Head-on Accidents

In a head-on collision, the bodies of the driver and passengers continue to move forward as the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop. If there are no airbags and they are not wearing seatbelts, then they may slam into the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield, or be ejected through the windshield.

The impact can cause injuries that may include:

• Fractures or dislocations of the ankles, knees, or hips
• Fractures of the femur (thighbone)
• Fractures of the ribs, skull, or spine

Even without impact, the rapid deceleration can cause serious internal injuries. For example, the brain will “bounce” against the inside of the skull and shear forces can cause internal organs to tear. Injuries are likely to be less severe if the driver and passengers are wearing seatbelts and the car is equipped with airbags. A three-point lap-shoulder belt is thought to reduce the risk of death or serious injury for front-seat passengers about 45%. Airbags reduce the risk of fatalities in head-on collisions about 30%.

How the Right Head-on Car Crash Injury Attorney Can Help

If you or a family member has been involved in a head-on accident and want to find a legal representative for your case, we’d always recommend doing your research first, so you can draw your own conclusions.

Working with an attorney through a very sensitive and difficult accident case is often traumatic and stressful, so choosing a professional who you feel understands your case is important. It’s also important you develop trust that your attorney will represent your case clearly and in your interests if it reaches court. The outcome for you and your family will depend on your attorney’s knowledge, experience, and persuasiveness.

Look for case studies of previous accident victims your attorney has represented.

It’s also important to work with someone you can share any concerns or worries with.

The friendly and experienced team at Thompson Law Firm are always available for a free consultation with you and your family members to get to know you and your situation, and to figure out the best next steps.