When it comes to car accidents, head-on car collisions are some of the most severe and deadliest crashes that individuals can ever experience. Therefore, if a person is in a head-on collision and is lucky enough to survive, they are often faced with a long road to recovery, which typically includes surgeries, medical treatments, complications, and mental and emotional trauma.
Unfortunately, thousands of people across the country are victims of these accidents yearly, most of which are caused by reckless, careless, and negligent drivers. Contact a car accident lawyer for legal assistance.
What is a head-on car collision?
A head-on car collision is a type of car accident in which two vehicles drive directly toward each other. The fronts of both cars collide and smash upon impact, which causes a head-on car collision. Individuals who are victims of head-on car collisions frequently describe them as terrifying as they do not have time to react, so they cannot prevent the accident.
These incidents also cause extreme and painful injuries due to the oncoming vehicle's speed, impact, and force. Even when the horrifying event is over, most head-on car collision victims experience emotional and mental trauma and chronic pain for an extended period. They can require years of rehabilitation and therapy to overcome the repercussions of the accident.
The causes of head-on car collisions
Most of the time, head-on car collisions happen due to negligence.
Here are some examples of negligent behaviors that frequently lead to head-on collisions:
- Driving while drunk or intoxicated: When a person decides to get behind the wheel after drinking or doing drugs, they cannot operate or drive their vehicle safely. As a result, they may begin swerving, driving in the incorrect direction, or even turning onto a one-way street. This erratic behavior can lead to a dangerous head-on car collision with oncoming vehicles.
- Driving while tired or fatigued: Individuals who drive while tired or fatigued can fall asleep behind the wheel. If this happens, they may lose control of the vehicle, causing it to run into another lane with oncoming traffic. Fatigued driving is a leading cause of head-on collisions.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the most common reasons for head-on collisions. Most of the time, these accidents occur because a driver was texting, talking on the phone, putting on makeup, brushing their hair, or even reaching for an item they dropped on the floorboard. These distracted driving activities often cause drivers to veer into other lanes, which can lead to a head-on collision very quickly.
- Speeding: When a driver speeds, they may lose control of their vehicle and run off into another lane of oncoming traffic. Speeding causes you to need more space and time to stop, which is usually impossible when other cars drive directly toward you.
- Careless or reckless driving: Careless and reckless driving is another common cause of head-on car collisions. These accidents occur when drivers purposely ignore traffic signs and speed limits, disregard other drivers' safety, participate in street racing, run red lights or stop signs, or any other action that intentionally violates the law. Head-on collisions and other car accidents are likely to occur when this happens.
- Mechanical problems: Sometimes, head-on car collisions happen due to the manufacturer's negligence. For example, if the manufacturer fails to ensure the vehicle has no defects, this negligent behavior can cause mechanical problems. When mechanical issues arise, motorists may lose control of their car and go into another lane, striking the front end of other vehicles. Mechanical problems can also occur because of inadequate repair shops, resulting in tire blowouts, leaking fuel, and faulty brakes.
- Hazardous roadways: Cities, states, and private road owners must maintain, update, and keep their roadways clear and hazard-free. When they fail to do so, drivers may become involved in head-on car collisions due to debris, potholes, or objects on the roads.
The types of injuries that result from head-on car collisions
Individuals involved in head-on car collisions experience a lot of force and impact on the front of their vehicles. As a result, they often hit their head, face, and other body parts on the dashboard, steering wheel, and even the windshield. This impact usually results in traumatic, devastating, and even deadly injuries.
You must immediately seek medical attention after a head-on car collision. A physician will ask about your symptoms and run tests to rule out potential injuries that may not be initially noticeable.
Some of the catastrophic injuries that result from head-on car collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and skull injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Disfigurement
- Severe scarring
- Severe bruising
- Broken and fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Facial, dental, and eye injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Whiplash or neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Crush injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Cuts, punctures, and lacerations
- Permanent nerve damage
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Death
As you can see, the list of injuries that result from head-on car collisions is endless. Most of the time, these accidents happen when two vehicles drive at high speeds directly toward each other, causing permanent injuries that they must learn to cope with for the rest of their lives.
However, the types of vehicles involved can also affect the severity of injuries. For example, suppose a pickup truck and a small automobile are in a head-on car collision. The individuals in the small automobile may face more severe injuries than those in the pickup truck due to the size and weight of the vehicles.
How to establish liability in a head-on car collision
Before filing a claim for your head-on car collision, you must establish liability for your accident and injuries. You need to prove who or what caused your crash and how the accident directly led to your injuries.
For example, if someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking, they may drive into your lane and hit you head-on. While you know this is true, you will need proof showing that this happened and that this negligent behavior caused your injuries and other losses.
Multiple parties may cause these accidents.
Therefore, your attorney will look at all individuals or companies that may be partially or fully liable, including:
- Other drivers
- Other drivers' employers
- Other drivers' car manufacturers
- Other drivers' car owners
- Your employer
- Your car manufacturer
- Your car owner
- Mechanics or repair companies
- The owner of the road/ the government
- Road maintenance companies
How will a car accident attorney help me prove negligence?
After determining liability for your accident, you may think you can file a claim against the individual or their insurance company and wait for your payment to arrive.
Unfortunately, this is not how the legal process works.
Instead, to successfully recover your total compensation, you must prove negligence caused your head-on car collision.
Proving negligence requires establishing these four critical components:
- Duty of care: You must show that the driver who hit you owed you a duty of care. This duty of care normally keeps you safe while sharing the roads with you. You may also show that a manufacturer or mechanic was responsible for ensuring your car and parts were safe before you drove the vehicle.
- Breach of duty: The responsible party breached their duty to keep you safe. This violation may have occurred because of drinking and driving, texting, or failing to properly inspect your vehicle's tires or other parts.
- Causation: The responsible party's breach directly caused your accident.
- Damages: Due to the accident, you experienced severe injuries, medical bills, lost income, car damage, and other losses.
Working with a car accident lawyer will help you obtain the best results possible for your case. They will work with you to prove all four important elements by presenting and demonstrating relevant facts, details, and evidence about your accident. No matter what obstacles or challenges arise from your case, the right law firm will help you overcome them.
The losses you may claim in a head-on car collision case
The compensation you may receive for a head-on car collision depends on your losses. Therefore, the amount individuals receive from these cases can vary greatly.
Here are some of the most common losses that injured clients claim after head-on car collisions:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Car damage and repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma and distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Disability
- Home modifications
- Psychological therapy expenses
- Caregiving service fees
Victims of head-on car collisions often experience severe hardships. No one ever expects a terrible accident like this. While trying to overcome the mental and physical pain the accident caused, they must also find ways to pay for their medical bills, daily expenses, and vehicle repairs. Attorneys will step in and handle the ins and outs of your car accident claim while you focus on healing. Speak with a compassionate car accident attorney about your case today.
Why should I hire a car accident lawyer for my head-on car collision?
While some people may think they can handle a car accident claim independently, these claims can quickly grow complicated. That said, most people recently involved in a head-on collision do not need the added stress or pressure of the legal system.
Instead, allow a car accident lawyer to lend you a helping hand during this extremely overwhelming and stressful time and pursue every legal option available to win your case.
These are a few of the ways they will help you with your head-on collision claim:
- Investigating your accident
- Collecting evidence
- Filing a lawsuit on your behalf
- Communicating with insurance companies and the defendant's legal team
- Preparing a solid and aggressive argument
- Finding and hiring eyewitnesses and expert witnesses
- Taking the case to a trial if needed
Car accident lawyers have received extensive training and have experience with all types of car accidents. They spend their days helping clients with similar accidents to yours and researching laws, statutes, and deadlines. Therefore, an experienced car accident attorney knows what it takes to stand up, fight for your rights, and obtain the compensation you need and deserve to put your life back together.
Is there a time limit to file a car accident lawsuit?
The time limit to file a car accident lawsuit varies, depending on where the accident happened, as state laws differ. For example, in Florida, the deadline is currently two years from the accident date. In most states, victims have two or three years, though the statutes of limitations range from one to six years across the U.S.
Although this may seem like a decent amount of time, contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. It can take several weeks to discuss your case, gather evidence, investigate, determine liability, and prove your claim. Therefore, the sooner you contact a lawyer regarding your case, the sooner they can get justice for you and your family.
Contact a car accident attorney today
If a head-on car collision caused you to have injuries, expenses, and emotional trauma, hire a car accident lawyer. A car accident attorney will represent you and your family after a traumatic and devastating head-on collision. They will work tirelessly to achieve the best outcome possible for your case and are committed to ensuring you receive the financial reparations you deserve.
You should not incur debt or pay for expenses out of your own pocket, and your attorney should work tirelessly to get you your maximum compensation. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney today about your case.