Two cars collided head-on in and a third car collided with at least one of those a devastating accident early Tuesday morning, March 19, 2019. A Kentucky State trooper at the scene tweeted out kudos to the families for wearing their seatbelts. “Are you convinced that seatbelts and child safety seats save lives? I am, especially after crawling into this car to console a toddler while his mom is trapped up front.”
The accident happened on Irvine Road near the Waco People’s Bank and caused significant traffic congestion as EMS personnel treated the victims, and police investigated the accident. There were several people injured and taken to the hospital, however it’s unknown at this time how many were injured or just how the accident happened.
Head-On Collision and Multi-Car Crashes
Head-on collisions are the deadliest type of accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. One of the risks of any accident is that other cars will collide with those already involved in what experts call a secondary impact.
When this happens in a head-on collision, the chances for fatalities and more severe injuries goes up considerably.
In most head-on collisions, a car crosses the centerline and hits another car making the impact sometimes twice as severe. The dynamics of this type of crash can cause significant damage and injury as the impact is made of both vehicles’ weight and speed.
Head-on collisions also present a significant chance of a secondary crash as most happen fast not giving other drivers a chance to avoid the accident. Other times, a trailing vehicle will come upon the accident and be unable to stop.
Injuries Common to Head-On Collisions
In a head-on, especially when compounded by a secondary crash, victims suffer serious injuries because of the dynamics of the crash. When the primary collision occurs, the occupants are thrown forward impacting whatever’s in front of them and then enduring further impacts as they are thrown about. This causes certain types of injuries that are common with head-on collisions:
- Blunt Force Trauma: The vast majority of fatalities come from the impact of the person into whatever is in front of them.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Not always fatal and happens with the impact of the body at the time of collision.
- Thoracic Spine Injury: (Whiplash) This injury is not necessarily fatal, but it often results in paralysis. It comes from the body being thrown forward where the spine in the neck is stretched and then violently compressed when thrown back into the seat.
- Broken Bones: Skull fractures, facial bones, ribs and extremities such as wrists, ankles legs.
Losses and Damages that Come from Head-On Collisions
Many times those injured in a head-on collision are unaware of the types of damages the law allows them for compensation, and the insurance company is not going to inform you of all your rights. When injured in a head-on, the injured can expect to recover compensation for:
- Medical Bills
- Lost wages, past and future
- Permanent injuries/disabilities or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of a quality of life/consortium
- Wrongful Death compensation
- Emotional distress
Should I get an Attorney?
While money alone does not put make the person whole again, dealing with the physical and emotional aspects of a traumatic accident is made more difficult as the financial losses add up creating more anxiety and stress. Many victims of these accidents wonder if they need to get an attorney. In most cases, the answer is yes. You need to understand your rights and what you are entitled to under the law so you can make the best decision.
Call the attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, and they will stand behind you to make sure that you are treated fairly and that you get the highest compensation allowed by the law.
