According to a report from 11 Alive, a head-on crash in DeKalb County on Saturday afternoon resulted in the deaths of both drivers. Officers responded to the accident in the 5700 block of Hugh Howell Road in Stone Mountain shortly before 2:30 PM to find that both drivers involved in the accident were suffering critical injuries. They were rushed to the hospital, where both later died.

The accident prompted officials to close Hugh Howell Road between Silver Hill Road and Silver Hill Drive for one to two hours while DeKalb County’s Traffic Specialist Unit (TSU) investigated the scene. According to DeKalb County’s webpage, the TSU investigates fatal accidents, hit-and-run accidents, and non-traffic related fatalities. They also provide data and analysis to colleagues within the police department who are tasked with traffic enforcement duties.

As explained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), head-on collisions are a particularly dangerous type of accident, accounting for 14 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities, and more than a quarter of all roadway departures. A head-on crash occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the front of another. The reason they’re so deadly is because the force of the collision is increased by the forward motion of both vehicles. The impact of the crash is measure by the speed of both vehicles. If both drivers were traveling at 35 miles an hour, the occupants of each vehicle will endure a 70 mph impact.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of a head-on crash, a wrongful death attorney from Cambre & Associates can explain to you the wrongful death claims process in Georgia that you can use to seek compensation for the financial and psychological impacts of your loss. We can also tell you about the services our legal team can provide to assist you in the claims process. Contact us for your free case evaluation.