A head-on collision is one of the most dangerous types of auto accidents. Head-on collisions happen when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with each other head-on. Even when airbags deploy properly, victims of head-on collisions can still suffer severe injuries, particularly in their neck and spine.
If you or your loved one have suffered a severe injury in a head-on collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Drivers in California have a legal duty to use reasonable care for other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Negligent drivers are financially liable for the injuries caused by their actions or inactions. Get connected with a Los Angeles head-on collision lawyer today by contacting our law firm. We will evaluate your case and advise you as to your legal options for compensation.
Causes of Head-on Collisions in California
Head-on collisions are particularly dangerous. The state of California has enacted several safety measures designed to stop head-on collisions, such signs to warn drivers merging onto the highway in the opposite direction. Other signs warn drivers of oncoming traffic and narrow roads. Large commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, are prohibited from driving on certain narrow or dangerous roads. Despite all of these preventative measures, California head-on collisions continue to happen. There are several different causes of head-on collisions in California, such as the following:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Tire blowouts
- Medical episodes, such as a stroke or heart attack
- Malfunctions that cause a vehicle to veer off into oncoming traffic
- Failure to obey traffic signs
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Adverse weather conditions
- Inexperienced drivers
Severe Injuries Caused by Head-on Collisions
A head-on collision can cause a wide range of injuries to nearly any part of the body. Some of the common types of injuries suffered by drivers and passengers in Los Angeles head-on collisions include:
- Neck injuries that result when the body whips forward and then to a sudden halt
- Head injuries caused by impact with the airbag, the steering wheel, or another object
- Traumatic brain injuries caused by a brain hemorrhage
- Lacerations and bruises caused by shattered glass, crushed metal, and seatbelts
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis caused by the force and impact placed on the spine
- Comas caused by head injuries
- Amputations caused by blunt force trauma
- Severe burns and infections related to severe burns
Watching a car come careening toward you and not being able to stop the head-on collision can have a massive impact on a person. In addition to serious bodily injuries, head-on collisions often cause devastating mental and emotional illnesses. Head-on car accidents have been known to cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Severe collisions can also cause the following mental health challenges:
- Severe anxiety or depression
- An inability to concentrate
- Avoidance of people and places that remind you of the car accident
- Experiencing flashbacks or nightmares
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty connecting to loved ones
Protecting Your Rights After a Head-on Collision
If you’ve been involved in a head-on collision in Los Angeles, protecting your rights is crucial. Taking the following steps will help you preserve an insurance claim for compensation or a personal injury claim for damages:
- Do not admit fault at the scene in any way
- Seek immediate medical attention after the head-on collision
- Follow all of your doctor’s recommendations, and attend all appointments
- Do not talk to any insurance agents before speaking to a lawyer
- Do not accept an insurance settlement without first speaking to a lawyer
Available Compensation After a Head-on Collision
Successful personal injury plaintiffs are entitled to compensation for their injuries, including the following:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- The cost of any medical or adaptive equipment
- The cost of all rehabilitation and prescription medication
- Lost past and future wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Head-on Collisions and Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Head-on collisions have an incredibly high death rate, particularly when one or both vehicles were driving at speeds over 25 miles-per-hour. Despite head-on collisions only accounting for a low percentage of car accidents, they account for a significant portion of fatalities. In California, driving on the wrong side of the road is one of the leading causes of fatal auto accidents that did not involve a pedestrian.
If a negligent driver was at-fault for a head-on collision that resulted in your loved one’s death, you might have a right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. When a negligent driver causes the death of another person, the results are devastating and long-term. The surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of a deceased person can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Successful plaintiffs are entitled to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, the medical and hospital bills of the deceased person, and compensation for the deceased individual’s lost future income.
Additionally, surviving family members can also receive compensation for the loss of anticipated financial support, the value of household services, and the loss of community, attention, love, affection, moral support, and guidance. If a negligent driver caused a head-on collision that resulted in the death of your loved one, it is vital to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Under California law, you will need to file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of your loved one’s death, or you will lose the right to file the claim.
Contact Our Experienced Head-on Collision Lawyers Today
If you or your loved one has suffered a severe injury in a head-on collision, we are here to help advocate for you. Get the help you need by contacting SoCal Injury Lawyers today. We work on a contingency basis, and you will not pay anything until we secure a favorable verdict or settlement for you. We also offer our potential clients a free consultation.