Head on Car Accident Lawyer

Head-on collisions are generally less common than other kinds of collisions like rear-end, sideswipe, and left-turn accidents, but they have the capacity to be just as or even more dangerous. A head-on crash is most commonly caused by one or more parties' negligent actions, and unfortunately, the consequences can be deadly.

If you or someone you care about was harmed or killed in an accident like this, a head-on car accident lawyer could help a great deal to make sure you hold the responsible party accountable. You may even be owed compensation for the damages if such an accident occurs due to another driver’s negligence. Even though frontal motor vehicle collisions are relatively rare when compared to other kinds of car accidents, the injuries sustained tend to be more serious to drivers and passengers. This is why it’s so important to take your accident seriously and speak with an attorney.

Morgan and Morgan law firm has extensive experience with these kinds of accidents and understands that determining fault is crucial to your chances of recovering compensation. When you need qualified expert attorneys on your side that can deliver results, Morgan and Morgan are ready to fight to protect your rights and deliver a successful outcome.

To get more information about your case, contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

How Serious Is a Head-On Car Collision?

In a head-on car accident, two vehicles are moving toward each other in the opposite direction with the intent to pass and continue on their way, but instead, the two vehicles collide in the front. The force of such a collision is intense, often destroying the front ends of both vehicles and resulting in severe trauma for the vehicle's occupants.

The forcible contact of these kinds of crashes is measured by the speed at which each vehicle is traveling upon impact. For example, if one car is traveling at 60 mph and the other is traveling at 50 mph, the force of the impact is 110 mph. That's why these kinds of accidents can be so catastrophic.

When contact is made, the front ends of each vehicle collapse, causing debris like glass and metal to turn into high-speed projectiles furthering the danger.

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Head-On Collisions?

Many times, the cause of a head-on collision can be attributed to a single driver traveling the wrong way. This may be because they cross the centerline of a divided roadway or make the mistake of entering a highway and traveling the wrong way. The majority of wrong-way accidents can be attributed to driver error, which is, in essence, a lack of using reasonable care behind the wheel. However, the cause of head-on car accidents cannot be boiled down to one factor, but here are some common reasons:

Distracted driving - Distracted driving is a top contender for all kinds of motor vehicle collisions, not just head-on car accidents. Distracted driving threatens the life and property of everyone on the roadways year after year, and technology is making the danger worse over time. Most states have created laws prohibiting cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle in an effort to combat the issue. However, it's still an alarming problem. Still, even without technology, drivers can be guilty of driving while distracted by just about anything that takes their attention away from maintaining complete control of the vehicle. Parents can be distracted by children, and individuals who eat, rummage through briefcases, or fiddle with GPS while driving are, in fact, driving while distracted.

If you noticed anything odd, like the other vehicle's driver with their head turned or looking down right before impact, this might be evidence of distracted driving and could be valuable in proving who was at fault.

Impaired driving - Any driver knows that driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs (and even some prescription medications) is illegal and a recipe for disaster. Even so, we hear about tragedies like this all the time. Impaired driving has a pronounced effect on motor skills and judgment abilities. Reaction times are slowed, and sadly, some people don't realize how bad off they are until they're on the road. Impaired driving is one of the most prevalent causes of wrong-way accidents.

Driving while fatigued - Driving while tired has almost the same effect as impaired driving, although many people don't know this. Drivers who are overtired, overworked, or have been on the road too long without a break may fall asleep behind the wheel, which might cause them to veer into the pathway of oncoming drivers.

Demonstrating that an accident was caused by driving while tired is a little more challenging than others. However, there are some tell-tale signs. For example, no skid marks or skid marks that reveal a back-and-forth pattern may indicate that the driver was already veering before impact or didn't try to stop at all. Another factor that may indicate drowsy driving is the time of the accident. For instance, most drowsy driving accidents occur between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Driver confusion - In some cases, a head-on car accident results from confusion on the other driver's behalf. This is more likely to happen on a road that a driver is unfamiliar with and may end up on the wrong side of the road as a consequence. They may miss the one-way road sign and not pay attention to other road signs that would alert them to their error. Aging drivers may have a reduced capacity to see well at night and enter the road going the wrong way. While confusion or aging is not a crime, under civil law, if you're driving while disoriented and cause an accident, you may be held liable for the damages that result.

Speeding - Driving over the speed limit is something that most drivers are guilty of at one time or another. There always seems to be some reason why drivers think they are the exception to the rule, but speeding endangers the lives of everyone since speed limits are put in place for a reason. Driving too fast for the conditions of the road can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and put them on a direct path into another vehicle, often resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

Passing where prohibited - Head-on car accidents often take place on rural roads where there may be long stretches of double yellow lines. Frustrated drivers behind a slower vehicle may take unwise risks to overtake the slower-moving vehicle despite it not being a legal maneuver. Two-lane rural roads may go over hills and other blind spots where a driver cannot gauge if another driver is coming in the opposite direction. Their impatience can result in a disastrous crash that would most certainly be 100% their fault for violating traffic laws.

Suppose you or a loved one has been injured due to another driver's negligence. In that case, our head-on car accident lawyers at Morgan and Morgan can work to prove the other driver's negligence was the cause of the accident and help you recover fair compensation.

What Are Common Injuries From Head-On Car Accidents?

The cause of a head-on car accident is essential as far as proving liability. However, no matter what the reason, the occupants of vehicles involved in this type of accident often come away with serious injuries that can cause life-long disabilities or even prove fatal. Even though modern vehicles come equipped with a slew of safety features, the velocity of the impact makes severe injuries commonplace, such as:

• Bone fractures
• Cuts
• Whiplash
• Burns
• Neck and back injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

When another driver is careless, and you end up injured because of it, a head-on car accident lawyer can help you recover fair compensation to help you with medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. Sadly, many head-on accidents may end with fatalities. If this is true in your case, you may be entitled to make a wrongful death claim. This type of civil action could help you recover funeral and burial expenses, any medical costs incurred before death, lost income, and noneconomic damages for the emotional trauma and loss of your loved one.

What Is the Head-On Collision Death Rate?

Death, unfortunately, is a genuine risk in a head-on collision. In 2020, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released statistics related to frontal impacts revealing that 58% of vehicle occupants' deaths were attributed to head-on motor vehicle crashes. Frontal impact deaths did not vary tremendously based upon what type of vehicle (car, pickup, SUV) was driven either. Passenger vehicle occupants under the age of 25 and male were the most prominent demographic that lost their lives in this type of devastating accident.

Who Is at Fault for a Head-On Car Accident? 

When you're injured or a loved one dies from a head-on car accident, you may wonder if you have a viable claim to recover compensation. The number one factor in this type of claim is proof of negligence. That's where Morgan and Morgan can help. We'll assign an expert head-on car accident lawyer to your case who will work to find evidence that will prove the four elements of negligence. These elements are as follows:

Duty of care - Anyone who gets behind the wheel must exercise a reasonable duty of care toward others to ensure their actions or inactions do not harm them. This includes taking steps to avoid situations that could lead to a head-on collision, such as not driving while intoxicated or obeying speed limits, and observing road signs.

Breach of duty - The next step is demonstrating the other driver breached their duty of care to drive safely. If there is evidence of speeding, distracted driving, or any other unlawful or risky behavior, this demonstrates they breached their duty of care to other drivers on the road.

Causation - Then, we'll need to show that the other driver's breach of duty led to your injury. For example, the other driver was texting, which caused the crash, and the consequence is that you suffered a broken bone and a dislocated shoulder.

Damages - The final element is damages, which are economic and noneconomic losses resulting from the collision. For example, your medical bills, other expenses, and losses will be tallied up to come up with a monetary figure representing your damages.

Contact Morgan and Morgan for Help

We understand that the time following a serious car crash can be full of stress, pain, and uncertainty. Fighting with the insurance companies isn't something you want to be added to that list, but you may find yourself in that situation. An insurance company is in the business of making money, and they may decide that their policyholder is not at fault or that you had some responsibility and therefore aren't willing to treat you fairly. When you find yourself in this situation, a Morgan and Morgan head-on car accident lawyer can fight for your right to receive just compensation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. It costs you nothing unless we recover payment on your behalf.