What Causes Head-On Collisions?
Many car accidents are minor and do not cause significant injuries. Head-on collisions, however, are different. These car accidents can be deadly because of the speed and direction of impact. Even in slower speed head-on collisions, drivers often face life-altering injuries.
Most car accidents often result from human error, from minor fender-benders to head-on collisions. The following are common causes of head-on collisions:
- Distracted driving: When a driver is distracted by their phone, the radio, other passengers, or even by eating, they are not paying attention to the road. Distracted driving can have devastating consequences, including a head-on collision.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level above the legal limit often has catastrophic consequences. Even driving after having a couple of drinks reduces a driver’s ability to react to an emergency to avoid an accident.
- Drowsy driving: Drowsiness has similar effects on the body as drunkenness. That means a driver who has not slept well could fall asleep behind the wheel and cause a head-on collision.
- Speeding: Drivers must account for the weather and road conditions. If someone drives too fast during a rainstorm, they could quickly lose control of their vehicle and slip and slide across the center line, causing a head-on collision.
- Breaking other traffic laws: When a driver runs a red light or fails to yield the right-of-way, that violates a traffic law and can cause a head-on collision.
What Injuries Are Caused by Head-On Collisions?
As with any car accident, a head-on collision can injure people involved in the crash. Head-on collisions often cause catastrophic injuries. The most common head-on collision injuries include:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck and back injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis.
- Broken bones.
- Organ damage.
- Amputation.
In severe cases, head-on collisions result in death. Because of the direction of impact and the force involved, these crashes can affect the rest of your life. This affects not only your physical health but also your mental well-being.
Proving the Other Driver Caused the Head-On Collision
After a head-on collision, the last thing on your mind is proving that someone else caused your accident and injuries. That is why you need to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to help guide you through the legal process ahead.
You need to prove that the other driver caused your accident. To do that, you and your lawyer need to show the other driver:
- Owed you a duty of care to drive safely.
- Breached that duty of care by driving in an unsafe manner.
- Caused a head-on collision where you suffered injuries and losses.
This might seem obvious to you because you were there. You know exactly what happened, but you will need to prove this through evidence from witnesses, police, your account, video footage, and more.
Your lawyer will work diligently to collect this evidence and prove that the other driver was negligent. Your lawyer may try to get you compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Lost income.
- Lost earning potential.
- Loss of companionship.
- Loss of life enjoyment.
- Present and future medical expenses.
- Rehabilitation costs.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be unable to return to work permanently or in the same capacity as before the head-on collision. Because your inability to work is related to your accident, your lawyer may be able to get you compensation to cover your lost income. Head-on collisions often cause injuries that prevent people from going back to work, severely impacting their ability to support themselves. You may be able to avoid financial hardship by collecting compensation.
It is essential that you act fast. There is a limited amount of time to file a personal injury suit for damages. While it is understandable that you only want to get better immediately after an accident, it is important to consider your legal options.
Your personal injury case must be filed before the statute of limitations runs out, which is two years in New Jersey. If you miss this important deadline, you lose your chance to recover compensation after a head-on collision.
Highland Park Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Can Help You Explore Your Options After a Head-On Collision
Head-on collisions often result in severe and life-altering injuries. To help guide you through the complex legal process, speak with one of our Highland Park car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr. Call us at 732-537-8570 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, Colonia, Elizabeth, and Newark.
