Head-On Collisions in Missouri and Kansas
Head-on collisions are the most dangerous type of car accident, and they are often terrifying for those involved. Watching another vehicle crash into your head-on can leave you in shock and with severe or even deadly injuries. Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles crash into each other while traveling in opposite directions. In many devastating head-on collisions, the drivers travel at high speeds, increasing the likelihood of death or severe injuries. Head-on collisions caused nearly 3,500 deaths in 2017 alone. Most vehicles become severely damaged, and it is unlikely that either driver in a head-on collision will escape without any injuries.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions
Many times, head-on collisions happen when one driver fails to stay in their lane and veers into oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions can also occur when one driver enters a freeway going the wrong way, by entering an expressway through an off-ramp, or making an illegal turn onto a one-way street.
Driving while intoxicated or impaired is one of the leading causes of head-on crashes. Impaired drivers fail to stay in their lane of travel, go the wrong way on a roadway or cross over into other drivers’ paths causing the wreck. Impaired driving increases during major sporting events, holidays, and on weekends.
There are several common causes of head-on collisions. Most head-on collisions are due to one or more drivers negligently operating their motor vehicles. Distracted driving is a common cause of all types of car accidents, including head-on collisions. Drivers have so much technology easily available at their fingertips, and it is easy for them to become distracted by sending text messages, reading emails, changing songs on their phones, or talking on their cell phones. During the seconds it takes for a driver to check a text message, he could easily swerve into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision.
Severe weather conditions can also cause head-on collisions, especially in icy Kansas and Missouri winters. Drivers cannot control the weather, but they do have a duty to respond to the weather and take reasonable precautions when on the road. As mentioned above, head-on collisions can happen when someone negligently enters an off-ramp to a highway. Inexperienced drivers, elderly drivers, and intoxicated drivers have been known to make this potentially deadly mistake.
Driver fatigue is another common cause of head-on collisions, especially when it comes to commercial vehicles. Many commercial truck drivers are exhausted and push them to ask their limits to earn more money. When they begin to get drowsy, they can veer into oncoming traffic, causing deadly multiple vehicle pile-ups on highways. Speeding is another common cause of head-on collisions. When people exceed the posted speed limit or drive aggressively, they are less able to adequately control their vehicles, which could result in them swerving into oncoming traffic.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you or your loved one has suffered serious injuries in a head-on collision, you need to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for your injury under Kansas and Missouri law. At Griggs Injury Law, we have helped many clients recover the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
