The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year, vehicle collisions result in severe injuries and even death for millions of Americans. Head-on collisions can be especially devastating for those involved. They often result in life-changing injuries, substantial time away from work, significant medical care expenses, and extensive vehicle damage.
If you were you involved in a head-on collision, a Savannah head-on collisions lawyer with the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team may be able to assist you with your case. Please contact us at (404) 888-8888 to learn more.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs whenever there is a frontal-impact between two vehicles that are traveling in opposite directions. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), head-on collisions are more dangerous and have a higher fatality rate than many other accident types. Even with vehicles equipped with advanced safety features—such as collision avoidance systems or airbags—the force of this type of impact can total both cars.
There are many ways a head-on collision can occur. If a driver accidentally makes a turn into oncoming traffic, enters a highway going the wrong way, hits the curb and enters the opposite lane, or overcorrects to avoid a collision, a frontal accident can occur. This can happen for many reasons, such as vehicle malfunctions, drowsy driving, distracted driving, slick roads, and aggressive driving.
For a free legal consultation with a head-on collisions lawyer serving Savannah, call (404) 888-8888
Risk Factors of Head-On Collisions
When it comes to head-on collisions, risk factors can include the following:
- Narrow traffic lanes.
- Lane dividers or painted separators that are hard to see.
- Road damage.
- Construction zones with inadequate or unclear signage.
- Dangerous driving, such as speeding, reckless lane changes, or driving while distracted.
- Driver inexperience.
- Poor vision or lighting.
- Poor weather.
- Driver unfamiliarity with the road or the general area.
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Injuries and Damages From Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions can cause many types of injuries and losses, ranging from concussions and broken bones to paralysis and death. Some of the more common injuries that head-on collision victims suffer include:
- Partial or total paralysis.
- Some degree of physical incapacitation.
- Traumatic head injuries.
- Neck, back, or spinal cord injuries.
- Damage to nerves, muscles, and soft tissue.
- Internal organ injuries.
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Cuts, lacerations, and scarring.
- Physical disfigurement.
- Injuries to the eyes, mouth, or ears.
The costs of treatment for vehicle accidents can reach several thousand dollars for serious bodily injuries that require extensive treatment and hospitalization. These costs can rise even more if specialist interventions or surgery are necessary—particularly for internal organ, spinal cord, and head or brain injuries.
In addition to physical injuries, head-on collisions can lead to other damages and losses, such as:
- Damage to your vehicle.
- Lost income or wages.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.
As long as you can prove that another driver owed you a duty of care but failed to fulfill that duty, you can potentially seek compensation for the losses and damages that you face after an accident.
A Bader Scott Injury Lawyers Savannah head-on collisions lawyer can help you identify, evaluate, and seek compensation for these damages. Please call us today at (404) 888-8888 to get started with a free case evaluation.
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Determining Liability for Head-On Collisions
To succeed in a head-on collision claim, you must prove that the other driver owed a duty of care. In general, all drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and in accordance with safe driving laws. Anyone driving on the road is assumed to owe other road users this duty of care.
Once you establish a duty of care, you must prove that the at-fault party breached this duty in some way, which led to an accident. Finally, you will need to prove that you or your loved one suffered injuries and other damages as a result of this accident.
Establishing the points above and proving your case usually requires various forms of evidence, such as:
- Surveillance footage or dashcam footage of the accident.
- The official police report on the accident.
- The statements of eyewitnesses from the accident scene.
- Cell phone usage data that can potentially prove distracted driving.
- The driving record or blood alcohol level of the driver.
- Vehicle maintenance logs.
- Any history of the driver using medications that may cause drowsiness.
In addition to gathering evidence, it is important to understand that different parties may be responsible for a collision. For example, a truck driver, a trucking company, or a vehicle maintenance team can all shoulder some of the blame for an accident, depending on the circumstances. A government office that did not conduct important road repairs or a parts manufacturer that sold a faulty part can also be at fault.
Identifying at-fault parties is an important part of the claims process. Depending on how your accident occurred and who was involved in it, you may be able to seek compensation from one or more parties.
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Filing a Claim
You must file a claim within the defined statutes of limitations for vehicle accidents if you want to seek compensation for your head-on collision. The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in Georgia is usually two years for personal injury cases.
You must identify the at-fault party, gather evidence, quantify your losses, and file the necessary legal paperwork within two years of your accident. This does not account for any time you spend attempting to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. It can be challenging to handle all of these steps, especially if you were injured in an accident and need time to recover. This is where we may be able to help.
Please contact the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team today at (404) 888-8888. Our Savannah head-on collisions lawyer can walk you through what you need to know about accident litigation and will provide you with a free case evaluation. Do not hesitate to call today.
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