A head-on collision in Alpharetta has left one dead and three seriously injured. A sedan reportedly collided with an SUV on a two-lane street near Mansell Road and the Old Alabama Road Connector, killing the driver of the sedan.

Head-on collisions account for about 10 percent of auto accident fatalities. Although they are not the most common type of car wreck, they can be one of the most dangerous because of the high impact both drivers experience, unlike side or rear-end collisions. Higher speeds increase the intensity of the impact, often resulting in serious injuries.

The majority of head-on collisions occur not on curves or when drivers are trying to pass, but rather on straight roads. These crashes are often the result of negligent drivers who were distracted (talking on a cell phone, talking to a passenger, etc.) or fell asleep, causing them to drift into the wrong lane.

In fact, most head-on accidents occur during daylight with good weather. Poor weather is a common cause for accidents not related to driver error, but drivers tend to pay closer attention to the road during rough conditions.

The most common factors contributing to driver error include:

• Cell phone use, which accounts for 25 percent of crashes and includes both talking and texting
• Alcohol consumption, playing a role in roughly 40 percent of all traffic accident deaths
• Fatigue, which has similar effects on the body as alcohol
• Speeding, especially among novice drivers unable to react quickly to hazards

If you or a family member suffered serious injuries or a wrongful death due to a negligent driver, contact a compassionate Atlanta auto accident attorney with McMenamy Law LLC.