When two vehicles collide head-on at high speeds, the forces involved often lead to catastrophic injuries and tremendous suffering for the victims.
In the challenging aftermath of a devastating head-on wreck, you probably have many pressing questions and worries.
How will I handle these overwhelming medical bills? What about lost income if I can’t work during recovery? Could the other driver’s negligence have caused this terrible crash, and if so, how do I hold them accountable?
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of your legal options and rights. With compassion, we can help guide you toward physical, emotional, and financial recovery after a head-on collision.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes don’t just happen randomly – there are a number of common causes that result in drivers losing control and crossing into oncoming traffic. Understanding these potential factors can help build a stronger injury claim.
Some common causes include:
- Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of all motor vehicle accidents, including head-on collisions. Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, messing with navigation systems, or otherwise not paying full attention significantly increase their risk of a serious crash.
- Driving while intoxicated – Driving under the influence remains a widespread problem. Impaired drivers have delayed reaction times and difficulty controlling their vehicles, making them much more likely to swerve into oncoming lanes or otherwise cause a head-on collision.
- Driver Fatigue – Drowsy drivers can be just as dangerous as impaired ones. Falling asleep at the wheel for even a split second can be enough to cross into oncoming traffic and cause a major wreck.
- Unfamiliar Roads/Conditions – Drivers who are not used to certain roads or weather conditions may lose control of their vehicle and cause a head-on collision, especially on winding roads or in low visibility.
- Mechanical Failure – Sometimes, head-on wrecks are caused by mechanical problems like blown tires or brake failure versus driver error. However, drivers are still expected to maintain control.
- Sudden Swerving – Even alert drivers may have to suddenly swerve to avoid another hazard, like an animal on the road, potentially resulting in a head-on crash. The key question is whether the action was reasonable.
While an oncoming vehicle crossing into your lane can stem from many factors, the good news is that analyzing the common causes behind head-on collisions can bolster your injury claim.
By understanding what typically leads to drivers losing control and crashing into oncoming traffic, we can clearly demonstrate the reasons these wrecks happen and build strong negligence cases by identifying the specific improper actions of the at-fault motorist.
Types of Injuries From Head-On Collisions
Due to the forces involved when two vehicles hit head-on at high speeds, injuries are almost always severe.
Some of the most common head-on collision injuries include:
- Head and Brain Injuries – Head-on crashes frequently cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) like concussions or internal bleeding and swelling. These can have life-long physical, cognitive, and emotional effects.
- Broken Bones – The impact of a head-on collision can easily break bones throughout the body, like arms and legs. Chest and rib fractures that puncture internal organs are also common.
- Internal Organ Damage – Internal bleeding, lacerations, and injuries to organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver frequently occur and can be fatal if not promptly treated.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Head-on collisions often result in spinal cord injuries that can lead to partial or total paralysis of the limbs or body if the spinal cord is severely damaged.
- Facial Injuries and Disfigurement – It’s not uncommon for head-on wrecks to cause severe lacerations, dental injuries, jaw fractures, and other facial trauma that may result in scarring and disfigurement.
- Emotional Trauma – Being in a head-on wreck can also lead to psychological problems like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and phobias. These require extensive therapy and treatment.
Keep in mind that many head-on collision victims suffer multiple severe injuries at once, requiring extensive medical treatment and extended recovery periods. Even after physical healing, the emotional scars and trauma can last much longer.
Seeking Compensation for Head-On Collisions
If someone else was at fault for the head-on collision that injured you or a family member, you have the right under California law to pursue compensation for your losses. This includes medical expenses to cover all past, current, and future bills related to treating your injuries.
You can also recover lost income if injuries prevent you from working for a period of time, as well as potential reimbursement for reduced earning capacity going forward. Given the traumatic nature of head-on wrecks and the severity of injuries often involved, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your physical and emotional suffering.
Loss of consortium damages is possible if your spouse can no longer participate fully in your relationship due to disabling injuries. Tragically, some head-on collisions result in fatalities, in which case the victim’s family can pursue wrongful death compensation.
The first step in seeking damages is establishing negligence – proving that the other driver’s actions fell below the reasonable standard of care and directly caused the collision. Collecting strong evidence like police reports, eyewitness accounts, video footage, and professional accident reconstruction analysis can help demonstrate fault.
Next, you must file a timely personal injury claim in compliance with California’s statute of limitations – within 2 years of the collision for adults or until age 18 for minors. Our experienced car accident attorneys can handle this entire legal process for you while you focus on recovery.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
You may be wondering if hiring an attorney is truly necessary after a head-on collision. Couldn’t you just try to work directly with the insurance companies yourself to settle things? It’s an understandable question.
However, the hard truth is that without professional legal representation guiding you, you are extremely unlikely to recover the full fair compensation you deserve. Head-on crash cases are complex, and insurance companies have teams of experienced adjusters looking to minimize payouts.
An experienced personal injury lawyer levels the playing field and provides invaluable assistance at every stage. For starters, we handle all negotiations and battles with insurer, so you don’t have to. We know their tactics and won’t let them take advantage of you during this vulnerable time.
Our legal team also thoroughly investigates every aspect of the collision to determine fault and liability. We utilize police reports, eyewitness accounts, video footage, medical records, and professional accident reconstruction analysis to build a strong evidence-based case proving the other driver’s negligence caused the crash.
Accurately valuing a severe injury claim requires experience. We work closely with medical professionals to quantify both your current expenses and potential future costs and losses over your lifetime so that any settlement is sufficient. Car accident and personal injury law is all we do day in and day out. You benefit directly from our focused experience and proven results of representing crash victims over decades.
The bottom line—don’t take chances with your recovery. Having knowledgeable personal injury attorneys fully on your side gives you the greatest possibility of securing the maximum compensation you are owed.
Contact a San Diego Head-On Collision Lawyer Today
We understand you may feel overwhelmed in the aftermath of your devastating head-on collision. Let our compassionate and dedicated legal team help guide you forward.
At the Pasternack Injury Law Group, we have years of experience recovering record compensation for injury victims just like you. We know the pain and disruption this has caused, and we will fight to get you the maximum settlement the law allows.
Don’t wait – schedule your free consultation today. Our experienced attorneys are here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and start building your strongest possible case. With us by your side, you and your family can look ahead to a brighter future.
