Road traffic accidents that involve head-on collisions between two vehicles are relatively uncommon, but have the highest ratio of serious injuries and fatalities of any traffic accident type. head-on collisions occur when the front ends of two vehicles travelling in opposite directions collide, normally when one of the vehicles veers into the path of the other for whatever reason.
Liability for a head-on collision will usually lie with the vehicle that is travelling against the the flow of traffic, i.e. the vehicle that moves into the path of another vehicle driving legitimately in the right direction. This typically involves one vehicle crossing the centre line separating two traffic lanes and crashing into an approaching vehicle.
How Do Head-On Collisions Normally Happen?
How then do head-on collisions on UK roads typically happen? One scenario is when a driver is overtaking, but misjudges the time they have have to do so, and crashes into an oncoming vehicle. Accidents of this kind are extremely serious, as they normally happen at high speed. A driver may also be forced to swerve to avoid another vehicle, a person, or an object in the road. Sometimes head-on collisions occur at junctions when one vehicle turns into the path of another, either because the driver fails to look properly, or because traffic lights or signs are not working or not present. Such accidents can then involve other vehicles that do not have time to avoid the original collision until it is too late.
Head-On Collisions Caused by Drivers Losing Control
A driver may lose control of their vehicle for many reasons, such as if they are distracted (for example, when talking on a mobile phone or texting), intoxicated by drink or drugs (meaning their ability to calculate distance and direction is impaired), or if they fall asleep at the wheel. Alternatively, they may hit a pothole or piece of debris in the road and lose control, causing them to veer into the path of oncoming traffic. It is also possible that they may experience a mechanical problem with their vehicle’s steering or brakes. head-on collisions can be the result of bad weather conditions and/or lack of visibility, and sometimes fault for an accident may also lie with the Highways Agency due to the poor condition of a road.
Which Party Was Responsible for a Head-On Collision?
Often following head-on collisions responsibility for the accident will be disputed by the two parties, and it can be difficult to establish who was to blame, particularly when the vehicles end up in different positions on the road to where they were at the point of impact. In the aftermath, there may be forensic evidence to assemble, CCTV footage to analyse, witness statements to be taken, police reports to request, and insurance companies to correspond with. For this reason, the services of a specialist road traffic accident solicitor are often required to put together the evidence in support of a compensation claim.
Solicitors Claiming Compensation for Road Traffic Accidents
Over the last 40 years Bartletts Solicitors has successfully claimed compensation for 1,000’s of road users injured due to reckless and negligent driving. Bartletts have a tradition of commitment, hard work, and the highest levels of expertise in advising people injured due to reckless driving on their legal rights. Client care is our highest priority. Our specialist solicitors ensure that you are always kept up to date with every aspect of your case, and we aim obtain the maximum amount of damages for our clients with the minimum of fuss.
Make a free compensation enquiry today
For specialist advice on your personal injury claim, call us now on Liverpool 0151 227 3391 or Chester 01244 645830 or Wrexham 01978 360056 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.
