Head On Collisions Pose Elevated Risk of Fatality

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Vehicle accidents can occur from a variety of angles. The most common types include rear end collisions, t-bone accidents, sideswipe accidents, and head-on collisions. Of these, head-on collisions pose the highest risk of accident and death.

There a number of reasons head-on collisions have a higher risk of fatality and significant injury. The primary reason is that when two vehicles collide head on, the full force of the accident reverberates through them, as there is nowhere for the force to be redirected. The front ends of the vehicles crumple together, and neither vehicle can bounce or slide in another direction very easily to disperse the impact.

Head-on collisions are particularly dangerous on two lane highways, where both cars are traveling at high rates of speed. But even low speed head on collisions carry elevated risks. Fatalities occur regularly at speeds as low as 35 miles per hour, and major injuries occur at even lower speeds. Even at school zone speeds of less than 20 miles per hour, the risk of injury is high.

Preventing head on collisions can be difficult, as there is often little time to react to another vehicle entering your lane. Swerving aggressively is often your only option, but doing so is reasonably likely to result in either a rear end or sideswipe accident as other vehicles traveling in the same direction have little time to react to your maneuver.

If you have been injured or know of someone who has been injured in a head-on collision, it is likely that significant injuries resulted. Medical bills and missed work add up quickly. Please, consult with an experienced attorney about your case. A qualified lawyer can help you hold the other party responsible for the accident.

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Finz & Finz, P.C. is a New York and Long Island personal injury law firm based out of Mineola, NY. It was founded in 1984 and is highly rated, with many honors and awards of excellence.