Head-on collisions occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the front of another. Thankfully, these types of crashes are relatively rare. But when they do happen, the consequences can be devastating.

Recent data from the National Safety Council shows that head-on collisions account for just four percent of all motor vehicle crashes with other vehicles. However, around seven percent of all injury crashes and a staggering 28 percent of all fatal crashes result from head-on wrecks.

Were you hurt in a head-on collision car accident in Florida? Severe trauma can lead to overwhelming medical expenses and other financial and personal losses. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for your suffering.

At Brooks Law Group, we’ve helped countless clients who are living with the life-altering consequences of catastrophic injuries caused by head-on collisions. Our trusted team of car accident lawyers can help you during this difficult time. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Causes of Head-On Car Collisions

Every car accident is different, but multiple factors usually contribute to a crash. Here are some of the most common causes of head-on collisions in Florida:

  • Distracted driving: When drivers are texting while driving, talking to passengers, or reaching for objects in the car, they are more likely to overlook critical road signs or accidentally drift into lanes of oncoming traffic.
  • Impaired driving: Intoxicated drivers have compromised spatial awareness, poor coordination, and impaired judgment skills, all of which could cause them to cross into the wrong lane.
  • Driving errors: Inexperienced or negligent drivers are more likely to overcorrect when steering, ignore traffic signs and patterns, and commit other driving offenses that may lead to a head-on collision.
  • Reckless or aggressive driving: Drivers who engage in reckless or aggressive behaviors such as running red lights or making unsafe passing maneuvers run a greater risk of accidentally veering head-first into oncoming vehicles.
  • Poor road conditions: Excessive potholes, slick surfaces, or blind curves can cause drivers to lose control and swerve into oncoming traffic.
  • Faulty vehicle components: Poor maintenance or negligent manufacturing can sometimes lead to the failure of critical components such as tires, brakes, or steering systems, which in turn can cause drivers to lose control and collide head-on with other vehicles.

Common Injuries Caused by Head-On Car Accidents

Head-on car accidents involve two vehicles colliding from opposing directions, often at significantly high speeds. The force of impact in these accidents is violent. For that reason, severe bodily injuries are a tragic and common outcome of head-on collisions.

Typical injuries after a head-on car accident include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Facial scarring, disfigurement, and dental injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Knees, elbows, and joint injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Heat, chemical, or friction burns
  • Internal bleeding
  • Deep cuts and puncture wounds
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Traumatic or surgical amputation
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression

Liability for Head-On Car Collisions

Head-on collisions usually occur due to negligence. In most cases, liability rests with the driver of the vehicle who entered a lane of traffic facing the wrong way and hit the oncoming car. However, other parties can be held partially or fully responsible for a head-on collision. These include:

  • Other road users: Another road user such as a pedestrian, cyclist, or another motorist may be liable for a head-on collision if they violate traffic laws in a way that causes a driver to veer out of their designated lane. Suppose a pedestrian is jaywalking and an oncoming motorist swerves into a neighboring lane to avoid striking them and hits you instead. In that case, the pedestrian may be partly responsible for the head-on collision.
  • Employers: If the at-fault driver in a head-on collision is operating a company car or driving for work-related reasons, their employer may hold vicarious liability for their actions, especially if the employer encouraged the employee to engage in unsafe driving behaviors, such as fatigued driving.
  • Government agencies: If inadequate road maintenance or design results in poor or dangerous road conditions, the agency responsible for those roads may be liable if a head-on collision occurs due to those conditions.
  • Vehicle manufacturers: If the failure of critical vehicle parts such as tires, brakes, airbags, or steering systems cause drivers to lose control and crash head-on, manufacturers and automakers may be liable if they were designed, manufactured, or assembled negligently.

What Should You Do After a Head-On Car Collision?

In the aftermath of a head-on car collision, you may not be able to do much if you’re seriously injured. Getting emergency medical attention is the priority. But if you can, take the following steps to protect your legal rights and establish a strong foundation for a future case.

You can take the first steps toward a financial recovery by:

  • Calling 911 to get law enforcement and paramedics to the accident scene.
  • Gathering information and evidence from the crash site, such as contact and insurance details from the other driver, photos of the accident scene, and statements from any available eyewitnesses
  • Seeking prompt medical attention and following through on your doctor’s treatment recommendations
  • Keeping track of all accident-related expenses and losses, such as your medical bills, receipts from incidental out-of-pocket costs, and pay stubs as evidence of lost income
  • Starting a “pain journal” as a record of the day-to-day pain levels, physical limitations, and emotional struggles you face as a result of your head-on collision injuries
  • Contacting a knowledgeable Florida head-on car accident attorney at Brooks Law Group for solid legal advice

Remember that you will first need to turn to your own insurance company to obtain no-fault benefits for your injuries. But accident victims can also file personal injury claims against at-fault drivers if they meet a “serious injury threshold” set by Florida law. A head-on collision lawyer from Brooks Law Group can determine whether your case qualifies for an additional third-party claim beyond your no-fault benefits.

Contact a Head-On Collision Lawyer at Brooks Law Group

If you were injured in a head-on collision, you need a skilled attorney who can fight for every dollar you deserve. A Central head-on collision lawyer in Florida from Brooks Law Group will fight for maximum compensation for you. Call or contact us for a free consultation today. It’s the first step on the path to justice.