Legally Reviewed By: Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner At Knowles Law Firm
Head-on collisions are a severe and often catastrophic type of car accident, accounting for a significant number of fatalities each year. While every case is unique, certain factors and issues contribute to head-on collisions in Nebraska more often than others. Identifying the most common causes can help prevent these accidents, as well as help someone who has been injured in a head-on car accident determine fault.
Distracted Driving
Driver distraction causes thousands of car accidents each year. In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,522 deaths involving distracted drivers. Many of these fatal accidents took the form of head-on collisions. A driver that is distracted by a cell phone, food, drinks, passengers or anything else may stray into the opposite lane of traffic and cause a head-on collision with another driver.
Drowsy Driving
Fatigue has been likened to alcohol or drugs when it comes to its effects on driving ability. A drowsy driver experiences many of the same effects as a drunk driver, including distraction, delayed reaction times and poor judgment. Truck drivers are especially prone to drowsy driving due to long hours on the road. If a driver falls asleep behind the wheel, he or she may drift into the wrong lane and cause a head-on collision.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence, or DUI, is a significant problem in Nebraska and around the country. Thousands of serious injuries and deaths occur in accidents involving drunk drivers each year. A drunk driver may exhibit reckless behaviors that can lead to deadly head-on collisions, including driving the wrong way on a one-way street, speeding, running a red light or falling asleep behind the wheel.
Unsafe Passing
Passing should only be done when it is safe to overtake the other driver. The opposite lane should be free and clear of any oncoming vehicles for enough time to allow the driver to safely pass. Passing should never be done across a solid yellow line, before a hill or around a curve. If a driver passes negligently or recklessly, he or she could cause a head-on collision with an oncoming car in the opposite lane.
Failing to Yield
Head-on collisions can take place at intersections if someone fails to yield the right-of-way. If one driver runs a red light, he or she could cause another driver to crash into the vehicle head-on. Intersections are carefully controlled to avoid collisions between cross-sections of traffic. If road signs and control devices are ignored, the front sides of two vehicles could collide or a T-bone accident could occur.
Poor Road Conditions
Some head-on collisions are caused not by driver error but by poor road conditions. If a road is in a dangerous state of disrepair, it may have a defect that leads to a loss of vehicle control or forces a driver to swerve to avoid the hazard. Common examples include potholes, storm debris, missing guardrails and missing reflectors. An issue such as a broken traffic light or obscured stop sign could also lead to a head-on collision. Finally, wet or snowy roads could cause a driver to hydroplane into the other lane.
Frequently Asked Questions About Head-On Collisions in Nebraska
What are the most common causes of head-on collisions in Nebraska?
Head-on collisions are often traced back to distracted driving, drowsy driving, and driving under the influence, all of which can cause a driver to drift across the centerline into oncoming traffic. Unsafe passing, failing to yield at an intersection, and poor road conditions such as potholes or missing guardrails can also put two vehicles on a collision course.
If another driver failed to yield or ran a red light, could that cause a head-on crash?
Yes. Head-on collisions are not limited to vehicles traveling directly toward each other on the same roadway. At an intersection, a driver who fails to yield the right-of-way or disregards a traffic signal can cause the front of their vehicle to collide head-on with another car that had the right-of-way.
Could a head-on collision be caused by something other than driver error?
In some cases, yes. A road that is poorly maintained, poorly designed, or missing safety features like guardrails and reflectors can force a driver to swerve or lose control, leading to a head-on crash. When a road defect contributes to a collision, the government entity responsible for maintaining that roadway may share liability alongside any negligent driver involved.
What should I do after being involved in a head-on collision in Nebraska?
Call 911 so the crash can be documented by law enforcement, and seek medical attention even if your injuries seem minor, since some injuries are not immediately apparent. Take photos of the vehicles, the roadway, and any visible road hazards if it is safe to do so, get contact and insurance information from the other driver, and speak with an attorney before giving a detailed statement to any insurance company.
How is fault determined in a head-on collision?
Investigators typically look at physical evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and debris fields, along with witness statements, police reports, and, where relevant, cell phone or toxicology records. Because head-on collisions can result from several different causes, a full review of the available evidence is usually necessary before fault can be fairly assigned.
Seeking Compensation for a Head-On Collision in Nebraska
If a negligent driver causes a head-on collision, the victim or the victim’s family can file a claim against the driver’s car insurance company. All drivers in Nebraska are required to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance to pay for car accidents. If a road defect caused or contributed to the crash, the government may be held liable. To discuss your legal options after being involved in a head-on collision, consult with an Omaha car accident attorney for free at Knowles Law Firm.
About Our Attorney
Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner at Knowles Law Firm
Robert has tried cases in both state and federal courts and was selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Less than 1.5 percent of lawyers nationally are selected for this recognition. He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain. He was also selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2019 Top Rated Lawyer.
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