Head-on collisions do not happen as often as other types of car accidents. However, when they occur, the injuries are significant and often include fatalities.
Our South Bend car accident lawyers from Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak discuss head-on collisions, including why they happen and how an investigator may determine fault.
To get answers to your specific legal questions and find out whether you have a valid car accident case, call our office to schedule a free consultation. We charge nothing up front for our services and only get paid if you do.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Indiana
Head-on collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the front of another. Some common causes of these collisions include:
- Distracted driving – Despite the dangers of texting and driving and other types of distracted driving, many drivers still do it. When a driver looks away from the road, he or she runs the risk of drifting into oncoming traffic and causing a head-on collision.
- Drunk driving – Drivers who are impaired by alcohol may be unable to see clearly or respond to dangers quickly.
- Fatigued driving – Drowsy driving can impair drivers the same way as drunk driving. Fatigued drivers may also fall asleep at the wheel and drift into oncoming traffic.
- Unsafe passing – Head-on collisions also occur when one driver passes a slow vehicle without looking or leaving enough space between him and oncoming traffic.
- Confused driving – People who are unfamiliar with certain roads may accidentally enter one-way traffic or a highway ramp going the wrong way.
- Road conditions – Ice, sleet or snow on the roadway can cause a speeding or aggressive driver to lose control of his or her vehicle and tailspin into another vehicle.
Serious Injuries from Head-on Collisions
Head-on collisions often result in serious injuries. Typically, the at-fault driver does not anticipate the collision, so he or she is more likely to be traveling faster than in other types of accidents. That is why head-on collisions often result in catastrophic and debilitating injuries, such as:
- Heavy blood loss
- Severe chest trauma
- Lacerations
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries or skull fractures
- Spinal injuries, including paralysis
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
Sadly, many head-on collisions also result in fatalities.
How Investigators May Establish Fault for a Head-On Collision
Although insurance adjusters will likely investigate the cause of a head-on collision, it is better not to rely on them to find evidence in your favor. An insurance provider’s goal is to deny claims or at least minimize the amount of money they pay out. An experienced attorney will have the resources and staff to fully investigate the accident and help establish liability for a head-on collision.
Investigators will analyze available evidence from the accident. For this reason, it is important to try to help gather and preserve what information you can from the crash scene.
However, if you are injured, you should first seek immediate medical attention. You may be able to delegate certain tasks to an uninjured passenger, such as:
- Calling 9-1-1 and asking for an ambulance
- Taking pictures of skid marks, road debris, your injuries and damage to the vehicles
- Collecting your medical records associated with the crash
- Asking for a copy of the police report
- Getting insurance information and contact information from the other driver
- Writing down the names and contact information for other people who witnessed the accident
An investigator may be able to obtain additional evidence, such as electronically-stored vehicle data or footage from any traffic cameras or surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident.
Your lawyer may also want to hire an accident reconstruction expert to examine the evidence and create a reconstruction video based on the most likely version of events.
Contact Our Attorneys to Learn About Your Rights
After a serious head-on collision, it is important to hire a personal injury lawyer who will fight to protect your rights. The insurance adjuster, however friendly, represents the interests of the insurance company and will try to resolve your claim for as little money as possible.
Our dedicated attorneys at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak are prepared to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf and handle all communication with the insurance company.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review. (574) 444-0741
