Of all the different kinds of crashes that you could get into, a head-on collision is among the worst. A head-on collision happens when two vehicles crash their front ends into each other. These crashes often lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
This might happen because a driver crossed the center line. It could also happen if a vehicle turns too widely and enters the wrong lane. Drivers making U-turns or entering one-way streets may also cause these crashes.
Head-on crashes have significant forces
The reason that head-on crashes are so serious is because of the force that is involved. Two vehicles traveling at high speeds, for example 60 mph, will hit each other with the force of 120 mph. While a 60 mph crash might be survivable, a crash at 120 mph is much more likely to be fatal.
Your vehicle will bear most of the force in this type of crash, which means that you may be serious injured. Any impact that isn’t absorbed by your vehicle will pass on through the steering column and airbag. Then, your body will have to try to absorb it. When the impact is too strong, it can break bones, rupture discs, cause brain injuries and more.
What should you do if you think you’re going to be hit head-on?
If you see another vehicle traveling toward you, the best thing to do is to turn your vehicle away from it. If you are the only person in the vehicle and are able to do so safely, turn the passenger side toward the oncoming vehicle. This puts more space between the impact and your body, which may help minimize your injuries.
If you can’t turn away for any reason, remember that relaxing before the impact can help. It’s counterintuitive, but by relaxing, your body will not be as rigid and may survive the impact with fewer injuries overall.
In these kinds of crashes, call 911 as soon as you can. The impacts and forces are so strong that they may lead to severe wounds, so medical care is needed as soon as possible.
Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed