A head-on collision is a very serious type of car accident. The direct impact often leaves victims with catastrophic and sometimes permanent injuries. If this happened to you, or you lost a loved one due to another driver’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses.
The medical costs associated with a head-on collision can continue to escalate throughout your lifetime. Depending upon the severity of your injuries, you may require future medical procedures, and treatments, along with personal care and medical equipment.
The accident was not your fault, and you should not have to bear the financial burden of your injuries. If a reckless driver crashed head-on into your vehicle, the Birmingham head-on collision lawyers at Morris Bart can help.
Head-On Collisions and Serious Injuries
Data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that head-on collisions are most common in rural areas. While less common in urban areas, the reality is that a head-on collision can happen anywhere, at any time.
A report by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that a study of four midwestern states concluded motorists involved in head-on collisions were 2.82 times more likely to experience severe injuries than those injured in rear-end crashes.
The devastating impact can leave victims with severe brain or spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and other health complications. Some victims do not survive the impact of a head-on collision, leaving family members with an irreplaceable loss.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions
When another vehicle crosses the roadway and is about to hit you head-on, there is often little you can do to avoid the collision. While you may drive defensively and in a responsible manner, there is no way to predict the behavior of other drivers.
Drivers who drive under one or more of the following circumstances place you at risk for serious harm:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) – the driver chooses to operate their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Drowsy driving – the driver chooses to drive despite a lack of appropriate sleep or rest.
- Aggressive driving – the driver chooses to speed or illegally pass other vehicles, resulting in a head-on collision.
- Distracted driving – the driver chooses to text, eat, read, or engage in other dangerous activities while behind the wheel.
The Dangers of Texting Behind the Wheel
A recent study reported by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that while most drivers believe texting behind the wheel is a serious threat, many drivers admit to the behavior.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three main types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. Texting behind the wheel takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off driving, therefore engaging all three types of distraction.
If you experienced serious injuries due to a driver who made poor choices behind the wheel, a Birmingham head-on collisions lawyer may be able to help. Depending upon the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
For a free legal consultation with a Head-On Collisions lawyer serving Birmingham, call 800-537-8185
Head-On Collisions and Insurance Companies
A head-on collision can result in a big expense for insurance companies. Most insurance companies like to make a settlement offer soon after the accident. It is their hope that you will simply accept the offer, putting an end to your claim.
Not-so-fast is the phrase you want to remember during this difficult time. The amount they offer you may seem like the answer to your financial worries when chances are it most likely is not enough for your future medical needs.
Accepting the offer not only results in less compensation than you may deserve, it also prevents you from pursuing civil action later should your medical condition worsen.
We Can Handle Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
Let a Birmingham head-on collision lawyer handle negotiations with the insurance company while you heal from your injuries or take care of your loved ones. A member of our team at the Morris Bart law firm can go over the details of your case today.
We can fight for the compensation you may deserve while keeping you informed throughout the process. While there is no quick fix to your situation, pursuing civil action is your right under Alabama law.
A head-on collision car accident that results in the loss of a close loved one can devastate you and your family. Depending upon your relationship with the decedent, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Birmingham Head-On Collisions FAQs
Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from a Birmingham head-on collisions lawyer.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Head-On Collision in Birmingham?
What Do You Do for a Head-On Collision?
What Is the Average Settlement for a Head-On Collision in Birmingham?
Unfortunately, when it comes to a head-on collision accident, there’s no average settlement. Each case is unique and has numerous factors that could play into dollar values relating to damages. You could receive anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $1 million in damages, but certain factors will likely increase or decrease that amount.
A head-on collision attorney will review the facts of your case, investigate liability, and calculate the damages related to your crash. You will most likely be eligible to receive economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include easily calculable damages, such as medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. Non-economic damages will include not-so-easily calculable losses, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and mental and emotional distress.
The settlement amount you could receive will also ultimately depend on:
- The type of injuries you sustained
- The extent of your injuries (whether they will heal or have permanent effects)
- Whether the injuries will eventually affect a loved one
- Your age
- Your occupation and education level
- Whether you can return to work at full capacity
- Whether the injuries prevent you from doing what you most enjoy
What do You Do for a Head-On Collision?
Drivers don’t always see accidents coming, even frontal crashes that occur when a wrong-way driver is headed straight for us. And drivers don’t always know how to behave in the face of impending danger.
However, knowing what to do for a head-on collision can help save lives and minimize the potential of devastation. If you notice a wrong-way driver headed your direction and it doesn’t appear like they will correct their path, try to:
- Slow down: Speed is a critical factor in how severe injuries can be. Decelerating can help avoid disastrous outcomes.
- Veer to the right: You may end up crashing into a barricade or another vehicle, but it won’t be as devastating as a head-on crash. Hopefully, you’ll end up on a shoulder with minimal to no damage.
- Choose where to crash: Hitting something else to avoid a head-on crash might not be an ideal scenario, but it also might be inevitable that you’ll hit something. If you can, determine the most ideal place based on traffic conditions where to move your vehicle.
If a head-on collision seems imminent and there’s no avoiding it, think quickly and act. Try to face straight ahead and keep your back and head firmly against the seat and headrest. Hold your steering wheel while tightening your muscles to help evenly distribute impact force throughout your body.
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A head-on collision results in injuries that typically no initial settlement offer can cover. Catastrophic injuries such as a traumatic brain injury can change your life forever. Your continuous need for medical and personal care following a head-on collision can follow you throughout your lifetime.
The expenses associated with your care, your inability to work, and your pain and suffering are why you may want to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. Pursuing civil action is one way to hold the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries and accountable for their actions.
Contact a Birmingham head-on collisions lawyer today to ensure you are filing within the statute of limitations. Call the Morris Bart law firm or contact us online for a free case evaluation. There is no fee unless we secure compensation for you.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
