Head-On Collisions: How Do They Happen and What Injuries Can They Cause?

Two SUV's are nose-to-nose after a head-on collision, with severe damage to both vehicles.

A car or truck crash can easily take you by surprise, but a head-on collision is often very traumatic. Head-on collisions, also known as frontal collisions, occur when the front ends of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. These collisions can be one of the most deadly and dangerous car accidents for all types of drivers. 

As car and truck accident attorneys, we have seen the catastrophic impact a head-on collision can have on an individual and their family. Read on to learn more about how we can help you in the event of a crash. 

What are the top causes of head-on collisions? 

Head-on car crashes often occur when a driver has a loss of control while driving. All drivers are expected to exercise the highest degree of care  on the road, and most head-on collisions occur because one driver violates their duty of care. Below are some of the most common examples of head-on car crash causes: 

  • Drowsy driving 
  • Crossing over the centerline of the road 
  • Driving on the wrong side of the road 
  • Speeding 
  • Ignoring road signage
  • Driving while intoxicated 
  • Distracted driving such as texting, talking on the phone, or eating  
  • Driving in inclement weather 
  • Turning the wrong way on a one way street
  • Passing a vehicle on a rural road
  • Confusion with lane closures in a road construction zone 

What are common head-on collision injuries? 

Head-on collisions typically exude a higher amount of force than an accident from the side or from behind. Additionally, if you are hit by a semi-truck, the forces elevate to an even higher degree due to the sheer size of a truck compared to a standard passenger vehicle. 

The most common injuries our head-on car crash lawyers see include: 

Who is typically at fault in a head-on collision? 

In head-on collisions, the vehicle traveling in the wrong direction is often at fault in this type of crash. Let’s examine two St. Louis driving examples to better understand a head-on car accident case. 

  1. You are driving home during evening rush hour on Manchester Rd. in Ballwin, Missouri. This street is a busy, two-lane road with no median between the opposing directions of traffic. As you drive home, someone in the opposite lane swerves into your left lane and hits you head-on because they were texting and driving. Since they came into your lane, they would likely be at fault for the head-on collision. 
  2. You are driving on a one-way street in South City St. Louis near Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. A driver leaving an alley turns onto your one-way street, drives in the wrong direction and crashes into you head-on. Since they were driving the wrong way on this street, they would likely be responsible for this head-on crash. 

Ready to file a claim for a head-on collision? 

After experiencing a car or semi-truck crash, it can be overwhelming to decide where to turn for your legal needs. A head-on collision often leaves behind a serious injuries, paperwork and life-long ichanges. As head-on collision lawyers, we are here to help you through this tough time and get you the justice you deserve. 

Contact our team at MHM as soon as possible following your accident so we can help you move forward after a head-on collision.