Most Common Causes of Head-on Collisions in Florida
How do head-on collisions occur? These accidents happen every year in Florida when one vehicle collides with the front of another, typically after crossing over the center line of traffic. According to statistics, approximately 2% of all accidents are head-on collisions, and many of these collisions lead to catastrophic injuries and even fatalities. The majority of these accidents take place when drivers engage in reckless behavior.
What are the main causes of head-on collisions? By understanding what leads up to these accidents, we can also focus on how they can be prevented and how tragic results can be avoided each year.
Events Leading Up to Head-on Collisions
Distracted Driving: One of the main causes of head-on collisions is distracted driving when drivers are not paying close attention to the roads around them. With technology in the hands of many drivers, a variety of collisions will occur when a driver has their eyes on their phone and not on the road before them. Of course, there are many other types of distracted driving as well, such as eating and fiddling with a GPS. In the blink of an eye, a distracted driver could cross over the center line and strike another vehicle head-on.
Adverse Weather Conditions: Other head-on collisions occur when the weather is at its worst. When drivers are not able to properly see the roads around them due to lack of visibility, a driver could cross into another lane of traffic as well.
DUI: Drivers who choose to drive while intoxicated will not have the best judgment. A drunk driver could easily become distracted and lose control of their vehicle, which could cause them to drift into another lane of traffic in the blink of an eye. In some cases, we even see drivers head in the wrong direction on a one-way street. Between 2003 and 2012, it was reported that approximately 8,476 people were killed in Florida drunk driving collisions, many of which happened when one vehicle struck the front of another.
Inexperienced Driving: When drivers have a lack of experience and head out on the roadways, they might not be as good at correcting problems while driving and taking evasive actions to prevent imminent danger. This means that a driver who does not have much experience could cause head-on collisions when they lose control.
Fatigued Driving: Long-distance drivers, such as truckers, are more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel of their vehicle. Many head-on collisions occur when a driver falls asleep and suddenly drifts into another lane of traffic, with a lot of these accidents happening late at night and in the early morning hours.
Speeding: When a driver is traveling at top speeds, the accident they cause is more likely to become catastrophic in nature. Speeding drivers are more likely to avoid road signs that might show them that there is traffic up ahead due to construction or an accident. This means that a head-on collision could quickly occur.
How an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Can Help
There are many causes of head-on collisions in Florida. If you have been seriously harmed in one of these accidents, one of the first steps that you should take after receiving medical attention is speaking with a skilled and dedicated personal injury attorney. Our compassionate attorneys at Sheftall & Associates are dedicated to helping you during one of the most difficult times in your life, especially when you have suffered from life-threatening injuries. Please contact our accident attorneys in Florida at (904) 575-9026 for the help you deserve.