Chicago Head On Collision Attorneys
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a head-on collision as a crash where the front end of one vehicle collides with the front end of another vehicle while the two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions. Head-on collisions often end up being fatal accidents. According to NHTSA's 2005 statistics, head-on crashes were only 2 percent of all traffic accidents. Yet, they accounted for 10 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the United States.
Head-on collisions are lethal because the relative speed of vehicles traveling in opposite directions is high. For example, a head-on crash between two vehicles traveling at 45 mph is roughly equivalent to a vehicle hitting another stationary vehicle at 100 mph. So, as one can imagine, the injuries and damages can be extremely severe.
Head-on collisions and sideswipes occur because a driver fails to stay in the roadway or moves away from the assigned lane. Head-on crashes may occur for several reasons. But we commonly see them occur as a result of:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Dangerous roadways
- Fatigued or sleepy driver
- Auto product defect
Injuries may range from minor to catastrophic. Very often, the injuries we see in head-on collisions are severe because of the velocity and intensity with which they occur. Victims of head-on collisions suffer serious injuries such as fractures, loss of limbs, abrasions, burn injuries, head and brain injuries, neck and back injuries and whiplash or other soft tissue injuries.
A lot of times, what is described at as minor injury, can cause you a lot of expense and inconvenience. If you have been injured in a head-on collision in Illinois, it would be in your best interest to find out more information about how to pursue your legal rights. You could file a claim for compensation against the at-fault party or their insurance company. If you have lost a loved one in a head-on collision, you could also file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical or funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship and other related damages. For more information, please contact a dedicated Chicago car accident lawyer at the Bradley Law Firm today.
