Every driver wants to avoid getting into a car accident, but the one that they want to avoid at all costs is a head-on collision. Head-on crashes are by far the most deadly and destructive. With two vehicles approaching from opposite directions, the potential for catastrophic injuries and fatalities is much more likely.
The outcome is often horrific, even when the vehicles are heading toward each other at the same speed. If one of them is going faster, it’s devastating, especially if one of those vehicles is larger than the other. Fortunately, head-on collisions are rarer occurrences on the road. However, they are far more likely to occur on rural roads.
Why Are Head-On Collisions More Likely to Happen on the Rural Roads of Indiana?
Rural roads in Indiana, and in other states, are where most head-on collisions take place. Once in a while, you might see a major news story break about a wrong-way driver on the highway. Most often, though, head-on crashes occur in the back country on the undivided highways or on curvy rural roads lined with trees.
Rural roads often have high speed limits, and with no barriers between the lanes traveling in the opposite direction, it creates more dangerous conditions. The roads in these areas are long and monotonous, and they can give drivers a false sense of security, especially when they haven’t seen another vehicle in miles.
Drivers in these parts are much more likely to become distracted and glance at their phones, but all it takes is a few seconds traveling at a high rate of speed to cover more ground blindly. In that time, a vehicle may be coming from the opposite direction while the driver has drifted into the oncoming traffic lane. With little shoulder to move over to, there is often no escape from a vehicle approaching head-on.
What Causes Rural Indiana Head-On Collisions?
While there are many reasons why these tragic accidents occur, they can usually be traced to driver carelessness:
Unsafe Passing
There are certain areas where it is not safe to attempt passing a slower vehicle. If you’re behind a large truck, going around a bend, your view is otherwise obstructed, or signage is posted that forbids passing, do not pass or you may collide head-on with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
Speeding
While rural roads often have higher speed limits, going beyond them is a dangerous move that could cause a head-on crash. You’re more likely to lose control and cross over the center line, and if you’re speeding while texting on your phone because you think no one is around, you’re risking your life.
Distraction
Rural locations have higher incidences of distraction, particularly by phone, than metropolitan areas. Many drivers on rural streets, roads, and highways think that since they haven’t seen another car for a long while, that it’s fine to send a text on their travels. It only takes a couple seconds for a driver to look away before they realize they’re on a collision course with an oncoming vehicle.
Fatigue and Drowsiness
After many miles, the scenery on rural drives can become monotonous, and the sounds of tires rolling steadily on the road can have a sleep-inducing effect. It’s easier for drivers to fall asleep on rural roads and either run off the road or veer into a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
Drunk Driving
Impaired driving is a problem everywhere, and some drivers think that no one will notice if they have one too many and drive through the countryside. They’re more likely to make errors in judgment and cause a deadly crash.
Wildlife Crossing or Debris
Tire tread from large trucks or other debris often falls into rural roads, and with no one there to keep the roads clean, it may remain there as an obstacle. Animals are another potential danger as they can be very erratic. If a deer runs out into the road, it may startle a drowsy driver, causing them to swerve into an approaching vehicle.
No matter what causes a head-on collision on Indiana’s rural roads, they almost always result in catastrophic injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal bleeding are the most common result of these types of accidents. With a longer response time from emergency responders due to the remote nature of these areas, fatalities are common when victims succumb to their injuries.
When driving on rural roads in Indiana, or anywhere else, taking the right precautions can help you avoid these tragic outcomes.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe on Rural Roads
Head-on collisions are generally the most serious type of crash. While they aren’t as common, you can do your part to avoid them, even on tricky rural roads, by following these tips.
Stay Alert
If you have to drive on a rural road, make sure you’re alert and ready for the ride, especially if you’ll be traveling when it’s dark. Being fully awake and prepared will help you to spot signage and avoid dangers.
Reduce Your Speed
When you see curves ahead, slow down and take it easy on the approach. If you’re passing through an area known for wildlife, farm vehicles, or unmarked intersections, a slower speed can help you stop safely to avoid disaster.
Only Pass When It’s Safe
It can be frustrating to be held up on your way to your destination when you get stuck behind a slower vehicle. Before you attempt to pass it, make sure you can clearly see what’s coming from the other direction. If you can’t see around the vehicle in front of you, there’s a curve, or there’s heavy rain or fog, stay where you are to arrive alive.
Expect the Unexpected
Most people swerve when a deer darts into the road, and while you certainly don’t want to hit anything, it is safer to hit an animal than to yank the wheel away. When you swerve, you lose control of the vehicle, and make it more likely that you’ll have a head-on crash.
Never Drive While Fatigued or Intoxicated
You might just want to get where you’re going so you can rest, though it’s far better to pull over and find a place to stay than to keep on rambling through the country roads. If you fall asleep behind the wheel, you may crash into a tree or another vehicle. As for being impaired, it’s not safe anywhere, and it will slow down your reaction time, heightening the chances that whatever accident you have will result in fatalities.
Keep Your Cool
If you are following the rules of the road but another driver is behaving aggressively, don’t engage. You should never escalate the situation, especially when you’re in a remote area. Stay focused on driving, and if you feel threatened, call 911 and keep them on the line.
What If You Can’t Avoid a Vehicle Approaching You Head-On?
Many drivers who need to take rural roads often wonder about those what-if scenarios. If you ever find yourself staring at a driver who is coming straight toward your vehicle, here’s what to do:
Never Swerve to the Left
As mentioned, swerving is a dangerous response that should be avoided at all costs. On rural roads with one lane in each direction, swerving left could be the last thing you ever do.
Hit the Brakes
By reducing your speed quickly and drastically, you can help minimize the impact of a head-on collision.
Steer to the Right
Try to veer your vehicle over toward the right shoulder, if there is one, or into a ditch.
Try to Create a Soft Impact
When a crash is imminent, try to steer toward something that will absorb the energy. A snowbank in winter is ideal, or lacking that, bushes. Anything soft is better than hitting a solid object.
What to Do After a Head-On Crash
If you are involved in a head-on crash and you are conscious, call 911. On rural roads, response times will be much longer. The sooner you call the police for help, the faster they can get someone to you.
Passersby may happen upon the crash and try to help. Your first priority is to take care of your health and safety. If you are hurt, do not try to overexert yourself by getting photos and videos. While evidence is important for proving fault, an Indianapolis car accident lawyer can step in and gather evidence on your behalf.
If there are no witnesses or the other driver succumbs to their injuries, evidence will be critical to prevent you from being blamed when you didn’t cause the accident. You’ll want to focus on healing from your injuries or adjusting to any life-altering changes they have caused. With an attorney, you’ll have someone who can take over every aspect of your case and work to recover compensation for you.
