Head-on collisions are classified as lane departure or frontal crashes. They occur when two vehicles are approaching each other from opposite directions, and one vehicle fails to stay in its lane. The two vehicles then crash front to front. These types of crashes were found to be about twice as likely to occur in rural areas than in cities and the fatality rate is extremely high for these types of crashes. When a head-on accident victim is fortunate enough to survive the crash, he or she will likely be confronted with steep medical and rehabilitations bills, the inability to work while recovering and emotional distress. The importance of retaining the services of an experienced car accident attorney is vital to help maximize your claim and deal with difficult insurance companies looking to reduce your claim, while increasing their profits.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions
Nearly all head-on crashes involve human error of one form or another. Here are some of the more common causes of these types of crashes.
- Distracted driving when talking on a cell phone, texting or using an infotainment center.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two.
- Drowsy or fatigued driving.
- Driving too fast in traffic or weather conditions, especially when trying to overtake another vehicle.
- Disobeying traffic signals, signs or markings.
- Merging onto a highway from the wrong direction.
Establishing Fault in a Frontal Impact Crash
Without eyewitnesses, an admission of liability or video footage of the crash, establishing fault in a head-on collision might not be as easy as it seems. Sure, one vehicle was on the wrong side of the road, but the vehicles might end up far from the point of impact. The person claiming damages as a result of the carelessness and negligence of the other driver must prove that the other driver caused the crash and resulting injuries. Even the location of the damage to the respective vehicles can support liability. Other corroborating evidence might be the location of the damage to the respective vehicles, the location of debris on the roadway, skid marks and gouge marks on the roadway. You’ll need a quality and dedicated Dallas area car accident attorney to assemble the evidentiary building blocks for a strong case on your behalf.
Damages
Severe or catastrophic injuries aren’t at all unusual in head-on crashes. The worst of those injuries involve the brain and spinal cord. Tearing, twisting and bleeding of brain tissue can result in profound neurological and mental health issues. A partially or completely torn spinal cord can leave a head-on car crash victim a paraplegic or quadriplegic. Here are some other common injuries that are suffered in these types of crashes:
- Severe facial and dental trauma.
- Leg, knee and hip injuries and fractures.
- Chest trauma, including damage to vital organs.
- Other fractures, dislocations and damage to muscles and nerves.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a family member as a result of the carelessness and negligence of a person who crossed the center-line of a roadway, Texas law allows the decedent’s surviving family members to pursue compensation for damages that they personally suffered as a result of their losses. Aside from filing a wrongful death action, a second count known as a survival action is allowed if the decedent lived for only a few brief moments after the crash. Substantial damages are available under both of these causes of action.
Never Give a Statement of Any Kind
Immediately after a head-on crash, the best thing that you can do is to politely refuse to give any type of a statement to the opposing insurer. It will only try to use your own words against you in the future to attack your credibility and devalue your claim. The liability and damages issues raised in head-on crashes are incredibly complex. You’ll be in need of an experienced, aggressive and effective Texas car accident attorney to sort out all of the evidence and represent your best interests.
If you were injured in a head-on crash, or if you lost a family member in one, call our law offices today at any of our convenient locations to obtain a free consultation and case review.
Arlington (817) 522-4451
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Cedar Hill (972) 338-9427
McKinney (469) 522-3688
Lewisville (972) 354-4605
Frisco (972) 725-7681
Grapevine (817) 835-8677
Irving (972) 354-4610
Keller (817) 204-0904
Garland (214) 572-2251
Denton (940) 222-4060
Addison (972) 564-8108
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