Head-On Collisions in Houston

When two vehicles collide head-on, the results are almost always catastrophic. In fact, despite only making up 2.1 percent of vehicle collisions in the United States, head-on collisions account for over 10 percent of fatal crashes.

At the local level, head-on collisions are an alarming problem in the city of Houston and the State of Texas as well. In 2022 alone, 632 people were killed in head-on collisions in Texas and many were seriously injured.

Sadly, most head-on collisions are avoidable and caused by driver negligence, inattention, or carelessness.

What is Considered a Head-On Collision?

According to the NHTSA, the term head-on collision refers to any collision where the front end of one vehicle collides with the front end of another while the two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions.

Head-on collisions cause serious or catastrophic injuries due to the immense crash forces, especially when two moving vehicles collide at highway speed. Even at a relatively low speed of 30 miles per hour, a 100-pound person becomes a 3,000-pound forward force in a head-on collision.

While seatbelts and airbags provide substantial protection against death, they cannot protect against all injuries in a head-on collision due to the crash force of the body against the seatbelt, or the. Severe injuries as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Fractures,
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputation injuries
• Chest and abdomen injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Disfiguring facial injuries
• And Death

Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Houston

Head-on collisions are almost always caused by driver error, inattention, or carelessness. Common causes of head-on collision accidents in Texas include the following:

• Distracted driving resulting in a driver drifting into a lane of oncoming traffic
• Intoxicated driving, which causes grogginess, blurred, vision, skewed perception, and impaired judgment
• Speeding around a curve
• Improper or aggressive passing
• Turning the wrong way on a one-way street or entering a four-lane highway in the wrong direction
• Left-turn accidents
• Exceeding the speed limit resulting in the loss of control and drifting into the lane of oncoming traffic

What Damages Are Available for Compensation to Victims of Head-on Collisions in Texas?

Another driver is almost always responsible for head-on collisions. In a comparative negligence insurance state like Texas, the at-fault driver may be legally responsible for the damages their actions caused.

Common damages claimed in head-on collision claims in Houston include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Reimbursement for lost wages and future income loss
• Diminished earning capacity due to disability
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of pleasure in life, traumatic limb loss, disfigurement compensation

If a head-on collision in Houston causes a fatality and someone else is at fault for the accident, the deceased individual’s family members may recover compensation in a wrongful death case.

What To Do After A Serious Traffic Accident?

If someone you love was hurt in a head-on collision, they likely suffered severe injury. It is important that they receive medical treatment as soon as possible. While it can be difficult to think about what’s next, it may be in your best interests to speak with a lawyer. An experienced attorney can help thoroughly explain your options and tailor a strategy to recover the vital compensation that you will need moving forward.