A Harley Davidson motorcycle carrying two people crashed head-on into a Ford Ranger killing both motorcyclists and the driver of the pickup. The accident happened on Highway 190 outside of Springville on Saturday morning, June 29, 2019.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the motorcycle allegedly veered across the centerline for an unknown reason and struck the pickup. The rider and passenger of the motorcycle were both ejected from their bike and died at the scene. The 94-year-old driver of the pickup also succumbed to his injuries.
We are deeply saddened to hear of this crash.
Head-On Crashes
According to Insurance Information Institute, a study showed that the head-on collision is one of the deadliest types of accident. In 2016, it accounted for only a small fraction of total accidents, yet it made up over 10 percent of traffic fatalities
The reason a head-on is so deadly is the relative velocity of both cars traveling in the opposite direction. If the vehicles are of significantly different masses—like a motorcycle and a pickup truck—then the smaller vehicle takes more than half of the damage.
Head-On Injuries
The force of the head-on collision causes great damage to both vehicles, and there are certain common injuries that are associated with this type of crash:
- 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?
The first thing to do is to focus on your immediate medical needs. During this time, don’t talk to anyone from the insurance company or their lawyers. Instead, talk to an attorney in a free consultation who can give you unbiased advice and a case evaluation.
Contact Maison Law at 559-203-3333 to talk to an attorney who can give you the peace of mind that your case is being competently and professionally handled so you can focus on your recovery.
