What Injuries Are Caused by Head-On Car Collisions?

A head-on car collision is one of the most dangerous and potentially deadly accidents that a person may ever experience. Many individuals who are lucky enough to survive these accidents often suffer life-threatening and catastrophic injuries for many years after the accident. As a result, they may experience excruciating pain, severe scarring, disfigurement, permanent disability, and more.

A head-on car collision occurs when two vehicles are driving toward each other when they collide. When two vehicles are involved in a head-on car collision, both vehicles’ weight, size, and power create a dangerous and devastating force during the collision. What makes these accidents different from other types of car accidents is that the force of the impact is twice what it would be if one vehicle hit a stationary object. The brunt of the impact is typically borne by the smaller car, which means a sedan is going to take more damage than an SUV, and any passenger vehicle will take more damage than a truck.

On top of that, they almost always happen when cars are driving at high speeds and/or one or both drivers are not paying attention, which means in many cases, those permanent and life-altering injuries could have been avoided.

Six injuries that are caused by head-on car collisions in Columbus, OH

A head-on car collision has the ability to do a lot of damage to the individuals’ cars as well as their bodies. Here are six injuries that are frequently caused by head-on car collisions:

1. Spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury occurs when an individual suffers an injury to the cord of nerves and tissues within their back. These injuries are very serious and typically cause permanent and lifelong damage. In fact, it is not uncommon for individuals with spinal cord injuries to learn that they are paralyzed below their injury. If you are diagnosed with paralysis, this means that you are unable to walk, move around, or use your legs or arms depending on what part of your spinal cord is injured.
2. Traumatic brain injuries: When individuals are struck head-on by another vehicle, there is a good chance that they will suffer a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries typically occur when an individual hits their head on a hard object, causing bruising, bleeding, or even permanent damage to the cells within their brain. If a person does not get the medical attention that they need after suffering a traumatic brain injury, they may experience serious consequences including death.
3. Internal organ damage: During a head-on collision, a person may experience severe injuries to their organs, such as the lungs, spleen, liver, kidneys, and heart. The blunt force trauma can be enough to damage less protected organs, and there’s always a risk of broken ribs or other bones impaling the organs. In some cases, it can even lead to cardiac arrest.
4. Facial, eye, and dental injuries: It is not uncommon for drivers who are involved in head-on collisions to experience impact to their facial and mouth area, which frequently leads to facial, eye, and dental injuries from the impact of the airbag or from hitting the steering wheel. For example, you may sustain broken or missing teeth, a broken jawbone, and eye lacerations or punctures. Unfortunately, these injuries usually cause severe scarring and disfigurement, affecting a person’s confidence and self-esteem for many years to come.
5. Neck injuries and whiplash: Although most car accident victims suffer neck injuries and whiplash in a rear-end car accident, these injuries can be common in head-on car collisions as well. The reason for this is because when individuals are hit head-on, their heads are forced in a forward and backward direction very quickly and suddenly. Many people think that these are minor injuries, but the nerves, tissues, and even bones within the neck can become permanently damaged. As a result, you may need to undergo multiple surgeries, wear a neck brace for several months, and attend physical therapy appointments to learn how to use your neck muscles again.
6. Hip and pelvis fractures: When two cars collide head-on, a driver’s legs can be pushed up. This can lead to hip and leg bone fractures. If the hip is shattered it will need to be replaced entirely. This is a complex surgery, and it can take a very long time for people to heal. It can also lead to pelvic breaks. Pelvic fractures also take a long time to heal, and there is a risk that it could damage a person’s reproductive organs, too.
7. Skull fractures: Another very serious injury that a head-on collision victim may suffer is a skull fracture. Skull fractures are punctures or breaks in the skull. These injuries typically emerge when an individual hits their head on the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or any other hard object inside or outside the car. Even though they usually heal on their own, they can also lead to brain damage or other life-threatening complications that need medical treatment as quickly as possible. Therefore, it is a good idea to have your head assessed to determine if you have a cerebrospinal fluid leak or a depressed skull fracture, which may require immediate surgery.

If you have recently been in a head-on collision in Ohio, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries and other losses. The Columbus car accident lawyers at Soroka & Associates are here to guide you through the legal process and remain by your side from beginning to end. We will stand up and protect your rights as well as aggressively demand the compensation you are owed for your current and future expenses. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule your free consultation.