Although head-on collisions account for a small percentage of the total number of car accidents each year, they are the most serious and often lead to catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Survivors of head-on collisions usually require extensive medical care, incur significant medical expenses and are often unable to work for extended periods while recovering from their injuries. If you or a loved has been injured in a head-on collision, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
J&Y Law Firm is the premier personal injury firm serving clients in Northern and Southern California. Our knowledgeable car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling claims involving head-on collisions. We provide each client with knowledge and compassion and work tirelessly to help them obtain the compensation they deserve.
Some Facts About Head-on Collisions
Head-on collisions involve front-end to front end impacts that are frequently caused by speeding and reckless driving or driving while intoxicated. These accidents often occur on two-way roads or where lane crossing is common. While a high-speed collision on a freeway can lead to massive injuries and fatalities, collisions at slow speeds can also have devastating consequences.
Some of the common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Driver Fatigue – Long-haul truckers, employees who work the night shift and other sleep deprived drivers are prone to fatigue and diminished reflexes, and are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel
- Distracted Driving – Drivers can become distracted by dialing, talking or texting on mobile phones, using GPS devices and other onboard technology, eating and drinking or talking to other passengers. Although using a cell phone while driving is illegal, distracted driving is still a leading cause of car accidents, including head-on collisions.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – Despite the fact that the general public is aware of the perils of drinking and driving, intoxicated drivers contribute to the majority of head on collisions. The reflexes of drunk drivers are significantly impaired as is their ability to calculate distance and direction.
- Faulty Traffic Signals – Many drivers are not aware that when a traffic light is out, they must proceed as if the light were operating, stop,and wait to proceed until it is safe. Drivers may also turn in front of one another, leading to a head on collision.
- Poor Road Conditions – Potholes and debris on the road, inadequate lighting, broken guardrails and fade divider lines can cause a driver to veer into oncoming traffic.
- Collateral Accidents – In a multi-vehicle accident, cars can bounce off each other, sending one or more cars into lanes of oncoming traffic.
Common Head-on Collision Injuries
Although driver and passenger side airbags can help to reduce the impact of head-on collisions, the force is still great enough to cause significant injuries, including:
- Broken Facial Bones – Because a head-on impact is often severe enough to crush the bone structure of the face, fractures to eye sockets, cheeks chins and jawbones are common.
- Whiplash – Depending on the severity of the impact, the occupants’ necks, shoulders and heads can violently twist back and forth and side to side, causing injuries to the tendons, ligaments and muscles.
- Back and Spine – A severe impact can cause discs in the spinal cord to herniate, or the spinal cord can bruise or sever, leading to paralysis or even death.
- Lacerations, Abrasions and Contusions – Secondary injuries can occur when loose objects in the vehicle or shards of broken glass, metal, fiberglass and pieces of plastic fly around the car at high speeds causing injuries to faces, arms, and legs.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – The skulls can fracture after impacting the steering wheel, windshield or vehicle frame. In some cases, the brain will slam against the skull, resulting in concussions or more serious injures, while the skull could also splinter in the brain, causing serious brain damage.
Determining Liability in a Head-on Collision
In California, all drivers have a legal duty of care not to cause injuries to others. The must obey all traffic laws, driver safely and avoid causing injuries to other drivers. A driver who fails to follow traffic laws, drives reckless or otherwise endangers the health and safety of others can be held liable for accidents that lead to property damage, injuries and fatalities.
In order to have a valid claim it is necessary to show that the other driver breached his or her duty of care, the driver’s negligence caused the accident, and the accident was the direct cause of the injuries. By engaging the services of an experienced car accident attorney, it is possible to build a successful claim and recover damages for lost wages, past and future medical expenses, property damage and pain and suffering, among others.
Experienced Head-on Collision Attorneys
Because a head-on collision can result in severe injuries and long lasting pain and suffering, it is crucial for injury victims to have proper legal representation. J&Y Law Firm has extensive experience in auto accident claims and a proven track record of helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve.
Our personal injury attorneys leverage their legal knowledge and negotiating skills to ensure that our clients receive the full value of their claims. If an insurer refuses to cooperate, we are fully prepared to litigate the case in court. We know that being injured in a car accident can be an overwhelming experience and we are committed to making sure our clients obtain just compensation and the medical care that they need. If you or a loved was has been injured in a head-on collision, call the J&Y Law Firm today for a free consultation or complete the contact form on our website.
The J&Y Law Firm represents clients in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, San Bernardino County, San Francisco County, Sacramento County and all of Northern and Southern California.