A head-on or frontal collision happens when two vehicles coming from opposite directions crash into each other. Of course, there can be different types of vehicles involved in such crashes.
Head-on collisions are some of the most catastrophic vehicle accidents and often have fatal outcomes and account for ten percent of the totality of car accidents.
A six-year study reports that at least one out of every six Florida car accidents occurs in the Miami area, a dynamic city with an increasing number of motor vehicles, dangerous roads and intersections, and a high number of car accidents.
Road Traffic Issues Specific to Miami
Some issues specific to Miami that are not common in other areas include:
- Large streets that are similar to highways, where people tend to drive very fast
- Several large streets and highways with no shoulder to seek safety on when faced with an oncoming wrong-way motorist
- A highway and toll system that can be very confusing for people who are from out of town, sometimes causing them to panic and ending up going the wrong way
- Very heavy downpours of rain that occur quickly and with no warning where the driver cannot see out of the windshield
- Tourists drivers who are not familiar with the area
In addition to Miami-specific causes, other common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Overtaking on a highway or two-lane road
- Failing to negotiate a curve properly
- Not staying in lane and crossing the center line
- Inclement weather conditions
- Erratic swerving to avoid obstacles
- Texting and looking at the cell phone while driving
- Entering a one-way road from the wrong direction
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
These are some of the Miami-Dade intersections where accidents have recently occurred, and motorists should pay extra attention to:
- County Road 25A in Miami County West
- 60th Street and 16th Avenue, Hialeah
- Campbell Drive and Speedway Boulevard
- Homestead Cypress Gardens Boulevard
- 6100 block of East SR-41
Strategies to Avoid Head-on Collisions
The most efficient strategies to avoid head-on collisions that you, as a driver, can follow are simple rules, such as:
- Obey traffic signs and the speed limit.
- Keep your vehicle in top condition.
- Read the road ahead. Become aware of your surroundings, periodically check rear and side mirrors to clear blind spots before changing lanes, and become aware of the movement of other cars.
- Avoid being distracted while driving and pay attention to other drivers. Honk your horn or flash your headlights to alert an oncoming driver of your presence, especially if you observe a driver is distracted or tired.
- Avoid driving under the influence or when you are tired. Drunk driving is the most common cause of head-on accidents. Also, it's common for head-on collisions to happen at night, especially when one or both drivers are sleep-deprived. Studies show that fatigued drivers and drunk drivers may be just as dangerous.
- Pay extra attention when passing another vehicle that is traveling in the same direction as you. Before oncoming traffic arrives, make sure you can safely complete the pass. If you are not sure, wait. If you see a car coming at you, slow down and be ready to move out of the way or stop.
- Swerve to the right to avoid a car accident. Swerving into the left lane risks a head-on collision if a car is coming your way. If possible, avoid going off the road, but remember that it's better to go off the road than to hit another vehicle head-on, especially when traveling at highway speeds.
- If a collision cannot be avoided, try a sideswipe rather than have a direct hit.
- If you can't avoid a collision, aim for something stationary. It's always better to hit a stationary object than an object coming toward you at a similar speed to you. To reduce the impact of a head-on collision, try to hit the object with the side of your vehicle instead of hitting it directly.
If you were involved in a car accident, you need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer for legal counseling and representation. Call us for a free initial consultation; our seasoned Miami personal injury can help.
Strategies to Brace for Impact in a Head-on Collision
Though research shows that bracing for a collision offers some degree of protection in a head-on collision, it is often one of two cases:
- You brace yourself as a natural reflex
- You do not have time for strategic, conscious protection against the impact
Still, if you manage to find the time and brace yourself for the impact, your body will take up less force off it, and your long-term physical outcome will be better. Avoiding traumatic brain injury and spinal injury may be among the most beneficial results of bracing yourself.
Strategies to brace for a head-on collision include:
- Press your head against the headrest so that you can reduce the risk of hitting your head against the headrest.
- Remain in a position where your head is facing forward.
- Avoid leaning forward.
- Sit upright with your back touching the seat.
- Tense your body the same way you'd do if you were going to take a punch.
If you suffered severe injuries after being involved in a head-on collision, contact us, and our experienced legal team will offer you a quick and efficient free evaluation.
Types of Injuries for Which You May Seek Compensation After a Head-on Collision
Head-on accidents often lead to severe injuries. This is especially true when both your car and another vehicle are driving at top speeds in opposing directions.
Here are some examples of serious injuries that can be caused by another's negligence in a head-on collision:
- Brain Damage
- Dismemberment
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Stenosis
- Lacerations
- Large Bruises
- Herniated Discs
- Whiplash
However, these represent just a few of the injury types that can occur. For example, some forms of psychological damage that can occur from head-on collisions include:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
- Depression
- Anxiety
How Can a Miami Car Accident Attorney Help With Your Head-on Collision Claim?
Car accidents tend to be highly common in Miami. According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, Miami-Dade is one of the top five counties with the highest rate of car accidents.
If you are injured (and, usually, people involved in head-on collisions are), it is essential to get in touch with an expert legal team to ensure that you achieve the best possible compensation settlement for your injuries. Our legal team can help you fight for the following compensatory damages:
- Medical Bills. A high-force accident, such as a head-on collision, will include compensation for your medical bills, hospital stays, physical therapy visits, etc.
- Loss of Earnings & Work Capacity. This claim covers the wages you lost in your recovery period and the earning you lost due to your inability to work at maximum capacity if you have a permanent injury.
- Pain and Suffering. You might be entitled to this type of compensation if your accident led to significant emotional or psychological trauma.
Miami car accident attorney Sean M. Cleary has a successful track record of handling high-profile cases, is consistent, and has decades of experience. Do not hesitate to contact us today for a free case evaluation.