Serious Injuries Likely in Head-On Collisions

Mariano Morales Law | | Car Accidents
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Seven people were injured in a head-on crash in Seattle recently when a Hyundai Santa Fe and a Dodge Caravan collided on SW Holden. Five people in the Santa Fe, including two small children, and two people in the Caravan were taken to a hospital for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the accident, the West Seattle Herald reported.

Head-on collisions produce some of the most serious injuries of all accidents because of the force exerted on the vehicles involved. Even at relatively slow speeds, a head-on collision can result in occupants of the vehicles being forcefully thrown forward and backward within the vehicles.

Injuries can include:

  • Back, Neck and Spine Injuries – injuries ranging from whiplash to paralysis can occur as a result of a head-on crash. Occupants are frequently thrown forward and then whipped back, causing the spinal column to flex beyond its normal limit.
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries – Front-seat occupants often hit their heads on the steering wheel or dashboard in a head-on collision, while backseat passengers may hit their heads on the front seat. The impact can cause the brain to shift inside the skull, resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
  • Internal Injuries – Particularly common when occupants fail to wear a safety restraint, internal injuries can occur if a passenger is throw around inside the vehicle as a result of the collision.
  • Fractures – Leg, ankle and knee fractures are very common in head-on collisions because passengers tend to stretch out their legs in a vain attempt to prevent an impending head-on collision. This then sets up the leg perfectly for a fracture upon impact.

If you have been hurt in a Yakima Valley area head-on collision or have lost a loved one as a result of one, a Yakima Valley car accident attorney may be able to you get compensation. Talk to the accident and injury lawyers at Mariano Morales Law for help getting through the legal process. Call (509) 853-2222 or use our online contact form for your free initial consultation.