Sacramento Front-End Collision
Sacramento Front-End Collision – Being involved in a Sacramento front-end collision is one of the types of accidents that all drivers fear. This is because a head-on collision commonly causes severe injuries or death. The losses suffered in such an accident can result in exorbitant medical costs and jeopardize a family’s financial security. Learning about head-on collisions can be helpful if you or your loved ones ever face that situation.
Sacramento Front-end Collision Causes
There are numerous reasons why head-on collisions occur. Driver error is the reason for most accidents. Following are the more common causes:
- Drunk driving: Drunk drivers are responsible for more than 10,000 fatalities each year in traffic collisions and many more injuries. Confusion can lead to head-on collisions.
- Distracted driving: Talking or texting, eating while driving, chatting with passengers and other distractions in 2016 claimed 3,450 lives, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Drug impairment: Driving while under the influence of illegal and certain prescription or over-the-counter medications can be dangerous. The NHTSA reported that in a study conducted in 2013 and 2014, one out of every five drivers tested positive for drugs.
- Unclear signage or road design: Poor signage and exit and entrance ramps placed too closely together can lead to a driver entering in the wrong direction, leading to a front-end collision.
- Fatigue: Drivers who are sleepy can make errors such as heading the wrong way on the road or missing a red light. On two-lane rural roads, where head-on collisions are more likely to occur, falling asleep and drifting into the oncoming lane often causes accidents.
- Poor visibility: Weather conditions can obscure road signs, and some drivers do not adjust their speed and exercise caution when they should, causing a front-end collision. Sliding into the opposing lane because of wet pavement or engaging in risky driving behavior can cause an accident.
- Unfamiliarity with the road: Drivers who are trying to navigate an unfamiliar road can end up driving the wrong way.
Common Injuries Suffered in a Front-End Collision
Although some head-on accidents occur at lower speeds such as when a driver enters a one-way street going in the wrong direction, most happen on highways and freeways at high speed. This increases the risk of serious injury. The most common injuries incurred in a head-on collision include:
- Traumatic brain injury: Traumatic brain injury is a common occurrence in a head-on collision. This is because when two vehicles crash together in this way, both are stopped suddenly, causing those inside to impact with the steering wheel, windshield or car interior. In high-speed collisions, although airbags will inflate, the seatbelt may break. Injuries may range from a concussion to hemorrhage or fracture of the skull.
- Abdominal trauma: Abdominal trauma can occur from the seat restraints or collision with the inside of the vehicle. In addition to internal bleeding, injury to organs such as the spleen can occur.
- Spine and back injuries: Injuries to the back or spine can happen in any type of accident but are more likely to occur in a front-end collision. This is because the force of the impact throws the body rapidly forward and backward. Injuries may range from strains to torn ligaments and spinal cord damage, resulting in partial or total paralysis.
- Broken bones: Broken bones are common in all types of accidents. However, because of the force of a head-on collision, they may be amplified.
- Emotional and psychological trauma: It isn’t unusual for someone who has been in a violent accident resulting in injuries to feel the aftermath of that crash both emotionally and psychologically. Symptoms may include reliving the accident, problems sleeping, nightmares, anxiety, and fear. Some may develop post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.
Watch YouTube Video: How to Avoid a Collison with a Wrong-Way Driver. This video by Inside Edition explains what you can do to avoid a head-on collision with a wrong-way driver.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If your family member was hurt or passed away in a car collision due to a driver who was negligent, I would like to offer you my free and friendly advice. I can be reached at (916) 921-6400 within the Sacramento area code. If you are calling from some other part of Northern California, call (800) 404-5400 toll-free, or contact me through our online form.
As a Million Dollar Advocates member, I belong to a top trial lawyer group who have won a verdict/settlement for a client of more than $1 million.
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