Head-On Crashes in Arizona
Of all types of car accident, head-on crashes are the most catastrophic. Although they make up only 2 percent of motor vehicle accidents, they are responsible for 10 percent of all traffic fatalities.
The reason head-ons are so deadly is a simple matter of physics: when two moving vehicles speed directly toward each other and collide, the force of the impact is doubled. Because the driver and often a passenger are sitting in the front seat near the point of impact, they are more vulnerable to life-threatening or life-changing injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, damage to the vital organs, and spinal cord injuries.
How Do Head-On Crashes Occur?
A head-on crash typically happens when a car leaves its proper lane and crosses a double yellow line or a median, or if the driver is going the wrong way on a one-way street. In the majority of these accidents, the driver is impaired in some way—by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or some kind of distraction. Speeding and taking a curve too fast can also cause the car to enter the opposing lane into oncoming traffic. Occasionally slippery road conditions cause a vehicle to slide into the path of another vehicle.
The majority of head-on collisions that cause death or serious injury can be prevented if people avoid driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs; when over-tired or sleep-deprived; or when distracted by texting or talking on a cell phone, eating or drinking, adjusting the radio, or setting the GPS. It only takes seconds when moving at a high speed for a distracted driver to drift into the wrong lane and hit another car head-on.
Recovering damages in a head-on collision in Arizona
If you have been seriously injured or killed in a head-on collision caused by the other driver, you may be able to receive monetary compensation you for your losses. The injuries caused by head-on crashes are often catastrophic, and you may have high medical bills, which can often be expected to continue well into the future. In many cases, you may need a recovery sufficient to cover the cost of long-term or even life-long care. With stakes this high, you will need to be represented by an experienced car accident lawyer who will help you obtain the best settlement of your claim. If a family member has died in a head-on crash, you may have a wrongful death claim against the other driver.
The Phoenix, Arizona, car accident attorneys at Wattel and York are committed to seeking justice for those whose lives have been shattered because of another driver’s negligence, and we fight aggressively on your behalf.
Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and analysis of your case. If you can’t come to us, don’t worry—we will come to you. You don’t need to put down any money for us to take your case, and you pay nothing at all unless we win.
