Four people died in a tragic crash Saturday morning, June 22, 2019, when their car hit a pickup truck head on. The accident happened in the 500 block of State Route 109 North in Wheatcroft, Ky, when the car hydroplaned and crossed the center line into the path of a pickup truck.
All four occupants of the passenger car were killed and the two occupants of the truck were injured and taken to Baptist Health Emergency. Authorities say that their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Town officials of Sturgis Kentucky report that all of the deceased were employees of a newly opened restaurant in their town and that the restaurant was closing early upon the news of the tragedy.
Head-On Collisions Accidents
A head-on collision is the deadliest type of accident according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. While they account for only 2% of total accidents per year, they make up 10% of all accident fatalities.
This comes out to about 3,500 head-on collision deaths each year. The NHTSA also says that most head-on collisions happen on rural highways which also account for over half of all fatalities.
Common Injuries in a Head-On Collison
A head-on crash is especially dangerous as the impact is compounded by the energy and inertia of both vehicles. Both cars’ occupants are thrown toward the front of their car, and then they are thrown violently back into their seat. This action causes certain common injuries:
- Blunt Force Trauma: The vast majority of fatalities come from the impact of the person into whatever is in front of them.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Not always fatal and happens with the impact of the body at the time of collision.
- Thoracic Spine Injury: (Whiplash) This injury is not necessarily fatal, but it often results in paralysis. It comes from the body being thrown forward where the spine in the neck is stretched and then violently compressed when thrown back into the seat.
- Broken Bones: Skull fractures, facial bones, ribs and extremities such as wrists, ankles legs.
What Should I do if I’m Injured in a Head-on Collision?
If you’ve been injured in a head-on or any other auto accident, do not take the insurance companies word for anything. It’s their job to pay you as little as possible, and with a head-on, they might use any uncertainty in the accident report to deflect responsibility from their client. Call the attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, and they will stand behind you to make sure that you are treated fairly and that you get the highest compensation allowed by the law.
When you call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, at 800 937-8443, you will immediately speak to a member of the legal team and not a message machine. You can also Live Chat with an expert who can immediately began helping you with your claim.
