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Head-On Collisions

By Alan LeVar

Head-on collisions are some of the scariest and most deadly types of car accidents. Head-on collisions have massive potential for serious injuries as well. As a victim, you can end up in debt due to high medical costs and lost earnings. You need legal help to assist in getting your life back on track.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or been killed in a head-on collision, contact a car accident lawyer immediately. Do not hesitate to call an attorney and get the legal assistance you deserve.

What Is a Head-On Collision?

A head-on collision is a type of car crash that happens when the front ends of two vehicles collide. Head-on collisions are serious and can leave a victim with serious injuries or can be fatal. A negligent driver who caused the head-on collision is responsible for compensating the victim for their damages or losses. A head-on collision lawyer can help you get full and fair compensation after an accident.

Causes of Head-On Collisions

A rainy street scene showing the aftermath of a head-on collision between two cars. The vehicles are visibly damaged, with crumpled front ends. The wet road surface and overcast sky indicate ongoing rain, contributing to hazardous driving conditions. The image highlights the consequences of a car crash, possibly due to traffic rule violations.

Head-on collisions happen for many reasons. Most head-on car crashes happen because of negligent action. Here are some of the most common causes of head-on collisions.

Reckless Driving

Reckless drivers often cause major accidents, including head-on collisions. Reckless driving includes any unsafe actions the driver takes while behind the wheel.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents across the country. It can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, which leads to a head-on collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022, more than 12,000 people died in fatal speeding accidents nationwide.

Impaired Driving

Injury-causing and deadly accidents caused by intoxicated drivers remain a public health crisis across the nation. Impaired driving puts everyone on the road at risk for injury or death. Intoxicated driving is always negligent. An impaired driver might face civil and criminal liability for their actions.

Fatigued Driving

Driving while sleepy might not seem dangerous, but fatigued driving can cause a severe accident, like a head-on collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 1.8 percent of all deadly traffic accidents from 2017 to 2021 involved a fatigued driver.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can easily cause a head-on collision. It happens when a driver takes their attention off the road. Even one second of distraction can cause a head-on collision.

Improper Lane Changes

Drivers who do not properly change lanes can cause a head-on collision. Improperly changing lanes can cause a driver to enter another vehicle’s path and cause a head-on collision.

Failure to Obey Traffic Laws

All drivers must obey traffic laws. Traffic laws are put into place to promote safe travel. Failure to follow traffic rules, like running a stop light or stop sign, can easily cause a head-on collision.

Mechanical Failures

Many accidents happen because of mechanical failures. All drivers are required to maintain their vehicles to ensure that avoidable accidents do not happen. For example, mechanical problems like bad brakes can lead to severe accidents. Drivers should take all the precautions necessary to keep other travelers safe.

How Common Are Head-On Collisions?

Head-on collisions can be common across the country. A sizeable number of head-on collisions happen every year. Head-on collisions are a much more deadly type of traffic accident than other kinds of crashes. Over the past decade, head-on collisions have made up around 14 percent of all crash types nationwide.

The consequences of a head-on collision can be deadly. You need legal representation immediately if you have suffered an injury or a loved one has been killed in a head-on collision. Contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights and options after a head-on collision.

Common Injuries After Head-On Collisions

A close-up view inside a car shows a driver, still fastened with a seatbelt, appearing dazed and in shock after a road accident. The driver has deep bleeding injuries, with visible blood on their face or body. The interior of the car is slightly damaged, emphasizing the severity of the crash. The scene conveys distress and the urgent need for medical attention.

Each traffic accident is different and will bring on different types of injuries. People who suffered an injury in head-on collisions can suffer significant injuries and should speak to an attorney immediately after a crash. Here are some examples of common injuries from head-on collisions:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Concussion and traumatic brain injury
  • Double impact injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Broken bones, bruises, and lacerations
  • Burns
  • Amputation
  • Airbag injuries
  • Psychological trauma
  • Death

Despite the type of injury or the extent of your harm, you deserve fair compensation for your losses. Contact a head-on collision attorney to learn more about your right to recover financial compensation after a head-on collision.

How Is Fault Determined In a Head-On Collision?

A police officer in uniform closely examines the damage to a van involved in an accident. The van shows visible dents and scratches, particularly on its front or side. The officer holds a notepad or device, appearing focused as they assess the scene. The background may include a road, other vehicles, or onlookers, emphasizing the context of a traffic incident.

Car accident cases, including head-on collisions, are negligence claims. A traffic accident attorney can help determine whether the other driver negligently caused the traffic accident.

Ultimately, the plaintiff must prove their case by proving each of the following four elements. An attorney can help prove the following elements of your head-on collision claim.

Duty

All drivers must safely drive to avoid traffic accidents. Drivers must exercise reasonable care. This duty applies the entire time that the driver is on the road.

Breach

A breach of the duty of reasonable care occurs when a driver fails to drive safely. It can cause a serious accident.

Causation

The driver’s breach of their duty of safety must be the reason that the accident happened. Causation might be the most challenging element of negligence to prove for individuals. A car accident attorney can help prove that the other driver caused the accident and should compensate you for your injuries and damages.

Damages

Plaintiffs must show that the injury caused them harm. An attorney can help calculate your damages to ensure fair compensation.

What Damages Are Available After a Head-On Collision?

The types and amounts of compensation available after a head-on collision depends on the circumstances of the accident. There are three general categories of damages: economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive. Each category is explained in more detail below.

Economic Damages

A conceptual image representing car accident loss and damage, featuring two miniature model cars positioned as if they collided, placed atop a heap of U.S. hundred-dollar bills. The cars are angled to suggest an accident, symbolizing the financial impact of vehicle collisions, such as repair costs or insurance claims. The scattered currency emphasizes the monetary consequences associated with accidents.

Economic losses include physical losses related to the accident. These losses are usually easily identifiable tangible losses that accident victims suffer. Working with an attorney is the best way to get the compensation you deserve after suffering from economic losses in a head-on collision.

Examples of economic damages include:

  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Loss of benefits
  • Transportation costs
  • Property damage
  • Household expenses
  • Childcare costs
  • Lost earnings
  • Medical expenses
  • Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic Damages

A man sits on the edge of a chair, visibly distressed, with one hand placed on his lower back, indicating pain. He leans slightly forward, grimacing in discomfort. The setting suggests a medical or home environment, with soft lighting emphasizing his struggle. The scene conveys the concept of lower back pain and the need for relief or medical intervention.

Non-economic losses include intangible losses that the victim suffers after an accident. These losses might be hard for individuals to prove. Having an attorney is the best way to ensure that you identify all of your damages and collect compensation for your losses.

Examples of non-economic damages include the following:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Disability or impairment
  • Loss of repudiation
  • Loss of independence
  • Mental anguish
  • Stress on relationships

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are not used to compensate the victim. Courts will sometimes award punitive damages to punish the defendant for outrageous behavior. Punitive damages are not always available, however. You need to discuss the availability of punitive damages with your attorney.

Speak to an attorney immediately after an accident to learn about your options for compensation. Talking to an attorney about the specifics of your case is the best way to receive the fair compensation you deserve after an accident.

Unique Issues In Head-On Collision Cases

Like many other types of car accident cases, head-on collisions can bring unique problems. Here are some key considerations in head-on collision cases:

Insurance Coverage Limits

The amount of money an insurance policy covers is usually the most money available to compensate a victim. In cases where the other driver or driver’s insurance policy limits are not enough to cover your losses, filing a claim against your insurance policy’s underinsured or uninsured motorist policy may help bridge the gap. Filing these types of claims can be challenging, but having an attorney can help properly file your claim.

Multiple Defendants

There is potential for multiple defendants to share responsibility after a head-on collision. As an individual, you might have difficulty finding every potentially responsible defendant. Having a professional’s help with an attorney can ease this burden.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

Getting hit head-on by another driver can be one of the scariest moments of anyone’s life. An attorney can help prove your case for emotional and psychological effects after an accident.

Witness Testimonies

Eyewitness testimony can help build your case. However, the availability or unavailability of witness testimony or statements can complicate your head-on collision case. Working with an attorney might make accessing witness testimony easier.

Vehicle Damage

Potential vehicle damage is usually significant in head-on collisions. The severity of your property damage can seriously influence the value of your settlement claim.

Severity of Injuries

The more severe your injuries are after an accident, the more you need legal representation to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses. Head-on collisions often result in more severe injuries due to the direct nature of the impact. The hit can complicate a medical evaluation and the patient’s long-term prognosis assessments.

Liability Determination

Determining liability in an accident is of the utmost importance after an accident. Work with an attorney to learn how the evidence can prove the validity of your claim.

Expert Analysis

Proving a head-on collision case might require an expert’s analysis of the facts. Your injuries might involve complex medical records, and you will need a medical expert to help explain your damages to a jury if your case makes it to trial, for example.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A professional man in a suit sits at a desk in a modern office setting. He gestures towards a computer screen displaying car-related services. The desk is organized with documents, a model car, and a credit card prominently displayed, symbolizing car sales, online insurance offerings, car loans, and comprehensive coverage. He appears approachable, suggesting he also provides free legal consultations on automotive issues. The scene emphasizes a one-stop solution for car-related financial and legal needs.

An experienced lawyer can help you get what you deserve after a head-on collision. A lawyer will offer you support and guidance throughout the entire legal process. Here are several ways that an attorney can help you get the recovery that you deserve.

Case Evaluation

An attorney can help evaluate the facts of the accident and determine the viability of your claim. After a review of the facts, an attorney can evaluate the circumstances of the accident and help determine liability.

Reduce Stress

Getting the financial recovery you deserve after a crash can bring a lot of stress. An experienced attorney will help you understand your rights and handle the paperwork and complexities that can come with your case. Your lawyer will handle the legal side of recovery while you focus on your health and well-being.

Settlement Negotiations

An attorney will help throughout the negotiation process. Settlement negotiations are a critical part of an accident case. Facing an insurance company after an accident can feel intimidating, especially if this is your first time involved in a civil action. An attorney can help avoid common pitfalls and mistakes individuals often make while pursuing compensation.

Litigation

Sometimes, settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, and your case must be resolved through the court. If you and the insurance company cannot come to an agreement for a settlement, then your attorney might file a lawsuit on your behalf. Pursuing litigation after an accident can be challenging, but having an attorney working on your behalf can help you get closer to the fair compensation you deserve after a head-on collision.

Legal Experience

Laws surrounding head-on collisions can be quite complex. Having an attorney help explain your rights can make navigating the legal process easier. An attorney’s knowledge can help improve your odds of getting compensation after an accident. Contact an attorney immediately after a head-on collision if you have suffered an injury.

Contact a Car Collision Attorney Today

After suffering from the enormous effects of a head-on collision, you will need to get legal assistance to get your life back on track. By reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible, you can ensure that valuable evidence is preserved and that your case is handled promptly and efficiently.

No accident victim should pursue compensation alone, and neither should you. Remember, there are strict deadlines for filing a claim. Remember, the sooner you take action, the sooner you can focus on your recovery and move forward with your life. Call an experienced personal injury attorney today to assert your legal rights and hold the negligent drivers accountable.