Head-On Collisions
Head-On Car Accidents in Long Beach, CA
What is so dangerous about head-on crashes?
Not all car accidents are the same. In fact, there are many different “types,” all of which have varying levels of severity. Knowing the type of car accident that you were involved in can help immensely with the auto insurance claim process; in many cases, it can help to more easily define liability and help point to the person who is most likely at fault. One of the most common types of accidents is what is known as a “head-on collision,” where two vehicles drive toward one another and strike each other head on.
Head-on collisions are especially dangerous because they stop the forward motion of the car so suddenly. In fact, if two cars equal in weight and size crash into each other while going the same speed, it would be the same as if they crashed into a solid wall. There is nothing to absorb the impact of the force, nothing to give way-in fact, it would even be better to run into a parked car since it would move and provide some leeway. This type of crash causes all of the kinetic energy to turn into mechanical energy, which then causes severe and even fatal injuries to the drivers and all of the different passengers.
Were you injured in a head-on collision?
While head-on car accidents only account for a mere two percent of all crashes, they account for a whopping ten percent of all fatal traffic collisions. If you were injured in a head-on crash, or if you lost a loved one in a deadly accident, you deserve to receive comprehensive legal representation.
These types of accidents often can be avoided with the proper care and caution since they are often caused by human error-for example, speeding, falling asleep behind the wheel, incorrect passing, and even distracted or drunk driving. If these types of actions caused you or a loved one to suffer, we encourage you to contact a Long Beach personal injury lawyer from our firm today.
With a 100% success rate, we are committed to our clients. If you have questions or would like to request a free case consultation with our firm, contact Overett Group today to learn more about how we can help!
How These Types of Car Accidents Can Be Avoided
In most cases, head-on crashes occur when one car crosses either the median or the centerline and goes into the opposing lane; in some cases, it can even happen when a driver merges the wrong way onto the freeway or even just drive the wrong way down a one-way street. Another common cause of head-on crashes is on two-lane roads where a driver attempts to pass to the left of a driver in front of them; if not timed correctly or if done illegally (e.g., around a curve), it can cause catastrophic, even fatal, crashes.
Many strategies can be utilized to avoid head-on collisions-several of which are being considered and implemented across the state and nationwide.
Ways to avoid a head-on collision include:
- Installing rumble or thermoplastic strips as a centerline;
- Providing wider cross sections;
- Installing center two-way left-turn lanes;
- Installing a buffer median on two-lane roads;
- Installing more solid median barriers; and
- Installing more passing lanes or four-lane sections.
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