Head-on Truck Collisions

Head-on collisions with large trucks are serious accidents, whether you’re the one hit or the one crashing into an oncoming tanker, tractor trailer, or big rig. The size difference between a commercial truck and a smaller passenger car is enough to cause life-changing injuries to the occupants of the smaller car. These collisions can also cause override and underride accidents, which are very dangerous for the passengers in the car.

The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel is here to help if you have been injured. We provide a free consultation to you if you are injured or have lost a loved one in a truck accident. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Understanding Head-on Truck Collisions

A head-on collision occurs when one vehicle crashes into the front of another. While this can happen with any type of vehicle, head-on accidents involving trucks are particularly dangerous due to the significant size and weight difference. In many cases, the impact can crush passenger compartments.

Several factors make head-on truck collisions distinct from other motor vehicle accidents:

1. Truck weight and momentum. A fully loaded truck can be up to 80,000 pounds, which exerts a lot of force in an accident. This often leads to catastrophic injuries that are much more severe than typical vehicle crashes.
2. Stopping distance. Trucks require significantly more distance to stop safely. Road conditions, weather, and load weight all affect braking capabilities. However, when a truck is part of a head-on accident, it can take some time to stop and until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, it may drag the smaller vehicle for some time. This can cause further injury.
3. The risk of multiple-car accidents. The size and force of a truck can mean that in an accident, the truck crashes through one vehicle and into others. Multiple points of impact can mean multiple injuries, while many parties involved means dealing with complicated claims involving potentially many insurers.
4. Cargo. Cargo is a unique factor in accidents involving commercial trucks. Cargo trucks, tractor trailers, tankers, and other commercial vehicles can be carrying hazardous cargo that can spill in a collision. If you collide with a truck with heavy items such as lumber and that cargo spills onto your car, you are more at risk of catastrophic injury. If a truck hits you while carrying flammable or hazardous cargo and that cargo spills, you could be facing a life-threatening situation involving fire or exposure to toxic chemicals.
5. Override and underride accidents. Head-on collisions can cause your smaller car to slide under the trailer and between the wheels of a truck, crushing the passenger compartment and potentially leading to catastrophic injuries.
6. Commercial driver regulations. Truck drivers are subject to federal regulations. In many truck accident cases, part of the claim involves establishing whether the driver and trucking company violated the rules.
7. Speeding. Some head-on accidents happen when passing. Since cars and trucks both speed up to pass, a head-on collision is more likely to involve high speeds, which can make the crash more serious.

Common Causes of Head-on Truck Accidents

Common causes of these accidents include:

• Distracted and fatigued driving. Most head-on accidents happen because a vehicle was in the oncoming lane. Texting, phone use, or in-cab distractions can lead a truck driver to miss signs or to pass without realizing there is a car in the lane. Similarly, Long shifts and inadequate rest can cause delayed reactions. Drivers may fall asleep at the wheel or may fail to notice “do not enter” or other traffic signs.
• Poor signage. Truck drivers may not be local and may not know local streets. They rely on street signs to let them know about direction of traffic, and when signs are missing or confusing this can lead drivers to head the wrong direction.
• Wrong-way driving. Ultimately, most head-on crashes are caused by a vehicle headed the wrong direction. Wrong-way driving can be caused by impairment, poor signage, poor visibility, aggressive driving, and other issues.
• Construction zones. Construction zones create a risk for wrong-way accidents and head-on crashes because they often close lanes. If temporary signage is unclear, it can create head-on crashes.
• Incorrect passing. When passing, drivers must make sure that the roadway is clear. When truck drivers fail to do so, they can crash into oncoming traffic.

Injuries in Head-on Truck Collisions

In a head-on collision, your car’s crumple zone may not help much, because of the size of a commercial truck. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Sudden impact can toss your head forward and back, which can cause your brain to bounce inside your skull. In turn, this causes bleeding and swelling of the brain.
• Spinal cord injuries. The same back and forth motion can cause severe damage to the spine and even paralysis.
• Whiplash. The impact and movement of a head-on crash can cause damage to tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue, causing chronic pain and mobility issues.
• Fractures. The force of a truck striking a smaller vehicle can crush the car and cause complex fractures.
• Internal injuries. If you strike the dashboard or even airbag with enough force, you could sustain bruised ribs and, in more severe cases, damage to the liver, spleen, and other organs.

In addition to the physical injuries, victims often experience emotional trauma, financial strain, and the inability to work. These consequences make it essential to seek legal representation promptly. Working with an attorney allows you to seek damages for these losses and more.

In the most devastating cases, families lose a family member due to a head-on truck crash. In these cases, families may have a wrongful death case and can seek compensation that can help them secure the support they need as they heal.

The Importance of Immediate Legal Representation

After a truck accident, you may be in the hospital, dealing with insurance, and more. You may not feel able to take on a legal claim, too, but it is important to consult with a truck collision attorney as soon as possible. You may even want to contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel while you’re in the hospital.

The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start protecting evidence, which may go missing otherwise. We can also take a lot of stress away from you by handling the paperwork, conversations with insurers, and other details of your claim.

One of the most important considerations is compensation. After a head-on collision with a truck, you may be facing considerable medical bills, car repair bills, and lost time at work. If your injuries are serious, you may face years of lost earning capacity and medical bills. A personal injury lawyer helps you to pursue fair compensation, so all these costs do not come out of your pocket.

Your insurance company answers to shareholders, not to you. They profit when they pay less than your claim is worth. In addition, trucking companies also benefit when they can limit liability. Your attorney is on your side and fighting for your best interests.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we have almost 40 years experience with personal injury cases. Our bilingual team is proud to serve clients across the following counties:

• Westchester
• New York
• Bronx
• Queens
• Kings
• Orange
• Rockland
• Putnam
• Dutchess
• Ulster
• Sullivan

If you have been injured, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel today. We provide a free consultation so you can get information about your possible options before you make any commitment.