Two drivers involved in a recent head-on collision in Belgrade, Maine sustained multiple injuries, according to CentralMaine.com.
The head-on crash occurred on Route 135 (Manchester Road) near Bartlett Road on June 22, 2021, around 9:30 a.m., when the two vehicles crashed into each other near a sharp curve in the road. Belgrade Fire & Rescue emergency workers removed both drivers from their vehicles, who were then taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The accident remains under investigation.
With regard to car accidents, head-on collisions might be relatively rare, but they do result in a large number of injuries and fatalities.
Here's what drivers in Maine should know.
How common are head-on impacts?
Head-on collisions happen less often than other types of motor vehicle accidents, but again, they result in significantly more injuries and fatalities than most other crashes due to the combined energy that's released when both vehicles collide head-on. For example, if both drivers are traveling 50 mph and crash head-on into each other, it’s the equivalent of one car crashing into a fixed object at 100 mph. In short, the laws of physics are not on your side if you're involved in a head-on crash.
Roughly 2% of all accidents are classified as head-on collisions. However, these types of accidents result in about 3,600 fatalities each year, more than 10% of all motor vehicle fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As for injuries, head-on collisions cause an estimated 91,000 injuries each year, which equates to 4.7% of all injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents.
What causes a head-on collision?
Head-on collisions happen for many different reasons, but in many cases, these crashes occur because one of the drivers was being negligent.
Common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for hazardous weather or dangerous road conditions
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving, even though it’s against the law in Maine
- Aggressive or reckless driving, including passing on a double yellow line on a two-lane road
- Falling asleep at the wheel, especially on rural, two-lane roads late at night
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
These are just some of the reasons why head-on collisions occur in Maine and many other places. Whatever the cause of the head-on collision you or your family is dealing with, make sure you talk to a car accident attorney as soon as possible to learn more about the legal options available to you.
A lawyer can protect your legal rights
In many cases, head-on collisions end up being very complex legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the at-fault driver claims they didn’t do anything wrong. Other times, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that’s the problem. It's worth remembering that Maine is an at-fault state, meaning the at-fault party's insurance company is responsible for compensating injury victims for their accident-related expenses. But insurance companies have a financial incentive to purposefully delay, dispute, or flat out deny injury claims. And depending on the circumstances of your crash, your claim could be significant.
At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein in Maine, our lawyers have extensive experience handling complicated cases. We have an in-depth understanding of Maine’s motor vehicle laws, and our attorneys thoroughly understand how the legal system works here. We also know exactly what evidence to look for, whether it’s traffic camera footage, the official car accident report filled out by the investigating police officer, or tracking down witnesses who saw exactly what happened. We leave no stone unturned in pursuit of justice and fair compensation for your damages.
Learn more about how we can help you after a car accident and contact us to schedule your free case evaluation today. Our law firm has offices conveniently located throughout Maine.
