Most Common Injuries in Head-On Collisions

Brain Injury,Car Accident,Personal Injury | October 3, 2021

A head-on collision is a car crash where two vehicles collide with each other from the fronts of both cars. A head-on collision occurs at the speeds of both vehicles combined. This makes it one of the most damaging types of car accidents. The injuries most commonly associated with head-on collisions range from mild to catastrophic. A head-on collision is more likely to cause severe injuries than other types of crashes, however. If you or a loved one suffered any type of injury in a head-on collision in Massachusetts, consult with a Lowell car accident attorney for assistance with a claim.

Head and Brain Injuries

If a victim’s head or skull strikes anything in the collision, this can cause a serious brain injury. If a driver hits his or her head on the steering wheel from the force of the crash, for example, the impact could be enough to injure the brain. Common brain injuries connected to car accidents include:

  • Concussions
  • Swelling
  • Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Contusion
  • Coup-contrecoup injuries
  • Penetrating injuries

These injuries can cause symptoms such as headaches, vision or sensory problems, confusion, memory loss, trouble communicating, motor dysfunction, and more. All brain injuries are serious and require professional medical care. If a traumatic brain injury causes permanent brain damage, a victim could suffer irreversible symptoms or disability.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury can occur in a head-on collision if a victim’s back or neck gets whipped around in the crash, crushed, bruised or severed. Spinal cord injuries are some of the most serious injury types connected to head-on collisions. If the connection between the brain and the body gets interrupted because of a spinal cord injury, the victim could suffer permanent paralysis, or the loss of sensation and mobility below the point of injury. Other examples of neck, back and spine injuries include herniated disks, ruptured disks, nerve damage and whiplash.

Bone Fractures

The bones in the body often cannot withstand the forces exerted upon them in a head-on collision. They may crack, break or shatter under the pressure. A broken bone is a painful injury that can result in temporary or permanent immobility. In the wrong place, such as the spinal cord, a broken bone can cause a permanent disability. In the most serious cases, bone fractures may require surgeries to repair. If a bone is completely crushed in a catastrophic car accident, the limb may also need to be amputated.

Internal Injuries

A crash as serious as a head-on collision is likely to cause internal injuries. The internal organs may suffer damage from colliding with each other, being punctured by a broken bone or being impacted by an external force, such as a seat belt cutting into the abdomen. Internal injuries can lead to lasting organ damage, organ failure and hemorrhaging (internal bleeding). In some cases, internal injuries can cause wrongful death before the victim even realizes what’s wrong.

Severe Lacerations

Broken glass, jagged metal, asphalt, and other elements inside and outside of the vehicle in a wreck can cause severe lacerations. Lacerations can lead to serious or uncontrollable bleeding that requires immediate medical attention. If a victim survives a serious laceration from a car accident, he or she may still suffer from complications, such as an infection or permanent scarring and disfigurement.

What to Do After a Head-On Collision

If you get injured in a head-on collision in Massachusetts, it is critical to go to a hospital as soon as possible. Some injuries have hidden or delayed symptoms that can be difficult to recognize without medical training. Once you have been treated, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to bring a claim against the other driver involved in your head-on collision. A successful insurance claim or lawsuit could result in financial compensation for your related medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.