What Is the Deadliest Type of Car Crash?

Vehicle accidents can be minor or catastrophic, with some crashes more dangerous and likely to be fatal than others. There are different fatal car crash types — from rear-end collisions, side impacts, and head-on crashes to rollovers — but the data shows that some have more fatal outcomes than others. Knowing the deadliest type of car crash can help you adhere to more safety tips, follow the traffic rules, and save your life and the lives of others.

This blog will discuss the deadliest type of car crash, who pays your medical bills after an accident, and what happens when the driver is uninsured. If you lose a loved one to a fatal car crash or survive a catastrophic accident, our attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury can help you. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to find out how.

Why Choose Our Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law Team?

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is never easy, whether as a direct victim or the relative of someone who died in a crash. We understand the toll it can take on your life and finances, so we’ve dedicated our careers to fighting for victims’ rights and helping them secure compensation. Our car accident lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law have helped Texas car crash victims for more than 35 years.

In that time, we have successfully represented clients with different degrees of injuries from different accident types and secured numerous favorable outcomes. Collectively, we have recovered over a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts, and our client testimonials show that we have not relented in ensuring our clients get fair compensation.

We ensure that the at-fault party is held accountable for their actions and will stand by you throughout your case, providing aggressive and compassionate representation. Contact us today to learn more about the services we provide. Our initial consultation is free and confidential.

We provide each client with the personnel and resources their case needs to succeed and do not prioritize any client over the others. 

What Is The Deadliest Type Of Car Crash?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head-on collisions are the most harmful crashes, accounting for approximately 14% of all U.S. traffic fatalities each year and 27% of all roadway departure (RwD) fatalities. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that head-on collisions accounted for 59% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2022 despite representing only 2% of all crashes. This highlights how lethal head-on collisions can be and why they are considered the deadliest type of car accident.

Side-impact collisions and rollover crashes are other fatal crashes that follow closely behind. According to the IIHs, side-impact accidents (T-bones) accounted for 22% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2022. Rollovers, on the other hand, cause around 20% of all fatal passenger vehicle collisions due to the high likelihood of ejection of car occupants.

How Do Head-on Crashes Occur?

Although not as common as other types of car accidents, head-on crashes are lethal, making it vital for drivers to understand how they happen. Below, we discuss some of the known causes:

Lane Departure

When a vehicle leaves its lane and enters oncoming traffic, the likelihood of an accident happening, increases. Drivers leave their lanes for different reasons. One common cause is distracted driving. When motorists are distracted, they might drift out of their lane into the path of oncoming vehicles. Lane departure also results from drowsy driving — common with truck drivers — and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which impairs judgment.

Improper Overtaking

A driver trying to overtake another vehicle on two-lane roads without a center divider might cause a head-on collision. This happens when the driver needs more space or time to complete the maneuver, misjudges the speed of an oncoming vehicle, or fails to see one approaching.

Wrong-Way Driving

Sometimes, drivers can end up on the wrong side of the road for various reasons including drunk driving. At other times, it could be from confusion or disorientation caused by poor weather conditions or flaws in the road design. This is why head-on collisions involving wrong-way driving happen primarily at night or in low-visibility conditions.

Other ways head-on collisions occur are by speeding and mechanical errors. Ultimately, these accidents can happen due to human error, environmental conditions, and roadway design.

We can help you determine the cause of a head-on collision and hold the responsible party accountable for your damages. 

Why Are Head-On Collisions So Deadly?

Head-on collisions are deadly for the following reasons:

Force of Impact

Most head-on collisions involve significant force. When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, the speed involved is the sum total of the vehicles’ speeds. For example, two cars traveling at 70 mph will have a combined force of 140 mph when they collide. This force is what makes head-on collisions deadly, resulting in fatalities or severe injuries.

Direct Impact on Vital Areas

The front of the vehicle is the bedrock of its structural integrity and where the driver and front passenger seats are located. As a result, the front absorbs the force of a head-on collision, affecting the driver and passenger’s vulnerable body parts, the chest and head.

Limited Time for Evasive Action

Head-on collisions happen so fast that drivers have little time to react or take evasive action. The lack of reaction time increases the likelihood of a high-impact crash and fatalities.

Does Vehicle Crashworthiness Affect Head-On Collisions?

Yes. A vehicle’s crashworthiness can affect the outcome of a head-on collision, and it plays a significant role in the severity of the injuries and the likelihood of survival. So, what is crashworthiness?

Crashworthiness is a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants during a crash. It covers different aspects of the vehicle’s design and key features, like the following:

Structural Integrity

Modern vehicles are designed with crumple zones in the front and rear, which absorb and dissipate the energy of a crash. In head-on collisions, the crumple zone absorbs the impact force, receiving what is transferred to the occupants’ bodies. Cars also have passenger compartment reinforcement, which remains intact during a collision, saving occupants from direct impact and intrusion.

Airbags

Front airbags deploy in head-on collisions to cushion the impact on the driver and front passenger, reducing the severity of injuries to the head, neck, and chest. Modern cars also have side curtain airbags, which, although designed for side-impact collisions, can protect vehicle occupants in head-on collisions too.

Seatbelts

Modern seatbelts have pretensions that tighten the belt if they detect a collision, keeping the vehicle occupant in place. Three-point seatbelts also provide better restraint than lap belts, preventing ejections.

Advanced Safety Features

Car manufacturers are increasing vehicle crashworthiness by adding automatic emergency braking (AEB), which kicks in when the system detects an imminent crash. The AEB will reduce the speed before impact, lessening injury severity. Some vehicles also have a collision mitigation system that uses sensors to detect potential head-on collisions and warn the driver to take corrective actions.

The NHTSA and the IIHS provide crash test ratings that offer insights into a vehicle’s crashworthiness. Cars with a higher rating offer better protection in head-on collisions. Check yours to see how crash-worthy your car is. 

Who Pays Your Medical Bills When You’re Injured in a Head-On Collision?

In an at-fault auto insurance state like Texas, the liable party will pay the victim’s medical bills as part of their economic damages. Aside from medical bills, the at-fault driver will compensate you for lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages.

What Happens if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If the at-fault driver lacks insurance, other options are available to you. They include the following:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): You can use either if the other driver has insufficient coverage or zero insurance. However, you must have an existing policy to receive benefits, as they are optional in Texas.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This is also optional coverage, but if you have it, it will cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
• Personal Injury Lawsuit: You can file a lawsuit and have the court order the at-fault driver to pay your medical bills.

Note that if you lose a loved one to a head-on collision, medical bills are one of the damages you can ask for in a wrongful death lawsuit if the person received treatment before their death. You can also request other economic and non-economic damages, like funeral and burial expenses. Finally, when seeking compensation, it’s important to retain the services of an experienced lawyer and avoid talking with insurance company adjusters alone.

Get the Help You Need From Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one was injured in a head-on collision or any other car accident, our Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law team is here for you. We will investigate the case, gather evidence, provide legal advice, handle negotiations, and help you file a lawsuit if necessary. You can count on us to always put your interests first to help you get justice and return to your normal routine as soon as possible.

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis meaning we don’t get paid unless and until you do. Contact us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential consultation.