Every day, road accidents remind you how unpredictable driving can be. But you will find some crashes are more serious than others. Among the most dangerous is a crash where vehicles strike with maximum force. This is called head on collision.
You must know head on collision meaning, its impact on road safety and why it is one of the most serious types of accidents.
What is Head on Collision
Head-on collision or frontal collision is a type of road accident. It happens when the front end of two vehicles (cars, ships, trains, planes etc) hit each other. Mostly, this occurs on single-lane roads where incoming and outgoing traffic uses the same road. Head on collisions are very rare but they result in deadly injuries.
According to the National Highway Authorities about 3651 people were killed due to head-on collisions in 2018. Furthermore, 80000 persons were badly injured in it. Surprisingly, head on collisions are 2% of the total accidents but their death ratio is 10.8%.
Head-on Collision Example
Actually, when you are on the road you can’t always predict what another driver will do. Let’s suppose, you are on an undivided highway, suddenly a car comes toward you. At that time, the frontal part of your car will strike another frontal part of a vehicle. This collision is known as a head-on collision.
Common Reasons of Head-on collision
Distracted Driving
There are many types of distractions that you can face on the road. They can be visual & manual. Visual means that you take your eyes off from the road and manual means you leave the steering. Usually, this can happen when you use your mobile phone or eat something while driving.
Fatigue
When you don’t sleep well then you will definitely feel tired. Basically, this condition is called fatigue. Therefore, when you drive in fatigue you can’t drive in the right way as your focus is not clear. This thing can cause head on collisions too.
Driving in wrong Way
It is very dangerous to drive your car in the wrong way. Usually, this thing causes frontal collisions that can be deadly. Plus, it is an illegal action which can result in fines & penalties.
Bad Road Conditions
Sometimes, bad road conditions can also result in bad collisions or crashes. Actually, when the road has potholes, debris and uneven surfaces you will obviously change your lane to avoid jumps. At that time, you can be hit by another oncoming vehicle.
Over Speeding
Do not forget that overspeeding always puts you in danger. As you know, at high speed you have less time to react. Furthermore, your car may steer into the opposite lane suddenly which may lead to severe head-on collisions with fatal results.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving means you drive a car when you have taken drugs, alcohol or certain types of medicines. Keep in mind, when you are drunk then the judgment becomes poor and your reaction time decreases too.
Bad Weather Conditions
Weather conditions also influence the accident ratio. Generally, snowfall, rain and fog can block the view. Therefore, you can misjudge about distance and the lane which can cause severe accidents.
Head on Collision Injuries
When two vehicles collide with each other they produce a combined impact that is very deadly. You can face severe injuries like;
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chest & abdominal
- Eye injuries
- Psychological trauma such as PTSD
- Damage to internal organs (lungs, heart, kidney etc)
- Severe spinal and neck injuries
- Serious back injuries
- Body burns (if vehicle catches fire)
- Fractures and limb damage
- Soft tissue tears and strains
What to Do After a Collision?
After the collision, make sure that everyone is safe. If someone got severe injuries then call a rescue team / emergency service for medical support. After that, move your vehicles from the main road and turn on hazard lights. Basically, this is needed for the safety of other drivers.
When you are at a safe spot, take pictures of your car and exchange information with the other driver to make a claim for insurance.
How to Avoid Head-on Collision?
When you are on a road you have to follow some safety precautions to avoid head on collisions. First of all, you can follow this 4R strategy to change the outcomes of crashes.
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Read Road Signs Ahead
Always make sure that you read and follow all sign boards that are placed on a road for safety. For example, no overtaking, curve ahead, two-way traffic and stop/yield signs. Always remember that these road signs tell you about hidden danger or harm on a road.
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Reduce Speed
If you feel any danger on a road ahead then lower the speed. In this way, you will get more time to react. Moreover, at high speed when you put sudden brakes and turn the car, it can roll-over.
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Drive to the Right
Always, keep your car a little to the right hand side from the center of a lane. Basically, this gives you extra space from other vehicles. If you are on multi-lane roads then leave the left lane open. This will reduce risk of collision in advance.
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Ride-off the Road
If you have to choose between a head-on collision and road shoulder then always drive-off your vehicle from the road. Because it is better to hit an object from the side of a car rather than front. As you know, side strikes result in less damage and injuries.
Additional Tips
- Do not drive when you are drunk or feel drowsy.
- Always wear seat belts in the right way.
- Make sure to check car brakes and air bags on a daily basis.
- In case of fog, turn on headlights to inform other drivers about your presence.
- Avoid steering toward the left side because it can also cause collisions with other vehicles.
- When a car comes toward you then you can try to hit something that can absorb energy. Actually, it can reduce the impact of an accident, like a bush, shrub or snowback.
What is Estimate Car Damage Repair Costs?
When your car slightly collides with other vehicles then the bumper and headlights may destroy. But, in case of a severe collision, the front screen, dashboard, radiator, grille, wheels and front doors can also get damaged.
Therefore, you have to pay money for repairs. You can guess the estimated repair cost of each part of your car from this list.
Paint chips or scratches: $50 to $1500
Front Bumper repair Cost: $400 to $1500
Car radiator repair cost: $400 to over $1,000
Windshield repair: $50 to $900
Car grille replacement cost: $300 to $500
Door or fender dings: $50 to $350
Replace hood of car: $400 to over $2500
Car front door replacement cost: $500 to $3000
Car suspension repair cost: $200 to over $1000
Car dashboard replacement cost: $2500 to $2900
Car engine repair cost: $2000 to over $10000
Car tire replacement cost: $50 to over $1000
How Does a Head-on Collision Kill You?
Actually, a head on collision is very dangerous because the force of two vehicles hits you badly. Basically, other road accidents usually damage your arms and legs. But, head-on collision puts your head, chest, spine and internal organs like heart & lungs at serious risk. Therefore, such collisions can kill you if you do not get medical help on time.
In addition, your car can roll over after a collision which makes the evacuation and medical support impossible.
What is Head on Collision Survival Rate
Literally, the answer to this question depends on movement, type and safety features of a car. For instance; if speed is slow then your survival rate is high. On the other hand, chances of life decrease if you drive very fast.
Safety features of a car also provides you protection for example, effective air bags, automatic safety braking and blind spot detection system.
Final Words
When you are aware about the seriousness of collisions, you can value careful driving more. Further, every driver, student and policymaker has a role in making roads safer. Now it’s your responsibility to stay alert on the road and avoid risky moves. Your careful decision can protect you and all road users around you.
