Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous types of accidents there are. Unfortunately, they are quite common on rural Kentucky highways which increases the risk for those out traveling.
A head-on can happen in many ways, and according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, rural driving is far riskier than driving in urban areas. Unfortunately, this higher risk sometimes plays out at a high cost.
Four Motorists Die in Head-On Collision in Meade County
Four people died in a tragic accident Tuesday afternoon, May 26, 2020. According to the KSP, the accident happened on US 31 W in Muldraugh. Police say that their preliminary investigation determined that a Chevy Equinox was traveling south on US 31 when the driver drifted across the centerline and hit a Cadillac CTS heading the opposite way.
Both drivers and a passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, and another passenger was rushed to a local hospital but later died from his injuries. Two other passengers, a 10-year-old boy, and an infant were taken to the hospital and both are expected to make a full recovery.
Rural Head-On Accidents More Deadly
If you’ve been out on the Kentucky country roads that connect the cities and counties of the great state, you’ve seen how dangerous these roads can be. Most have narrow lanes that only keep cars a few feet apart passing each other in the opposite direction at high speeds. Many of the roads are have sharp curves and go up and down in elevation. The shoulders are sometimes narrow or non-existent making rollovers and ejections possible.
With only a few feet and a painted line keeping cars from crashing head-on, it’s no surprise that head-on collisions are more prevalent in rural areas than in urban. According to the NHTSA, head-on collisions in rural areas make up 13% of all rural crashes while in urban areas, that number is only 7%.
Head-on Collisions in rural areas happen when someone drifts over the centerline because of a moment’s distraction. The second reason in terms of numbers is passing accidents where a car tries to pass but doesn’t get back in time and hits a car head-on.
Head-On Accident Injuries
A head-on is devastating to both vehicles and their occupants. The risk of death or serious injury is high because of the nature of the impact. Those inside are instantly and violently thrown around inside the cars causing injuries and damage.
Over the years at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, we’ve seen countless victims who were injured in a head-on crash, and we’ve seen the struggles they’ve endured trying to get their life back on track. Some of the more common injuries that come from rural head-on crashes are:
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Broken Arms/Legs
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Damaged Organs
- Facial Bone Fractures
- Fractured/Displace Ribs
- Airbag Injuries
We’ve represented many head-on victims and have helped them get the justice and compensation they deserve when injured or killed by someone else’s negligence.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Accident victims often wonder if they need an attorney, and the answer is almost always yes. The insurance company agents have years of experience and are good at their job which is to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field. Talk to someone you can trust to be on your side and get you what is yours under the law.
The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the results they deserve. To discuss your case, call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, at (800) 937-8443 or click here to contact them online.
