If you’re in a head-on collision accident, it is important to know what to do. These accidents can lead to severe injuries. Thus, you need to have a head-on collision accident lawyer by your side who can help you get a fair settlement for your damages.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about head-on collision accidents. We will cover what happens during a head-on collision, how to file a claim, and what type of damages you may be able to recover.
What is a Head-on collision?
A head-on collision is when two vehicles collide with each other head on. These accidents are often very serious and can result in severe injuries or death. Head-on collisions occur when a driver crosses the center line into oncoming traffic or when a driver loses control of their vehicle and swerves into oncoming traffic.
What Happens to the Victim’s Body In a Car Crash?
While in motion, both your body and the car have kinetic energy. However, when you stop, the energy is then transferred to the brakes. When hit something with your car in a head-on collision accident, the kinetic energy will either be absorbed or transferred back. The stronger the impact with the incoming car is, the more severe the damages are.
Unfortunately, the car cannot absorb all the kinetic energy after the collision. This means that your body will also absorb some energy resulting in serious injuries.
What Happens During a Head-On Collision?
When you collide with another vehicle, your body maintains the same speed moving forward and before hitting some part of your car’s inside. In this case, you might hit a seat belt or airbag while also hurting yourself on impact if there isn’t an automatic protection system installed in both vehicles.
Therefore, a head-on collision is dangerous for the other driver and for you. Here is what happens during a head-on-collision:
- A serious impact can cause injuries to your lungs.
- The seat belt can lead to collarbone fractures.
- High-speed collisions may lead to broken ribs.
- If the impact from the head-on-collision damages the space between the ribcage and lungs, you might suffer a collapsed lung.
- Improper seat belt wearing can cause injuries to your stomach, spleen or liver.
- A severe impact from the collision can force your ribs into the lungs.
What are the Common Injuries in a head-on collision?
Collapsing Cabin
In a crash, the front area of your car might collapse. This can cause serious injuries to you and the other occupants in the first seats, such as broken bones or worse.
Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous types of crashes because they often lead to life-threatening injuries. The best thing you can do for your safety if another driver crashes into you is get immediate medical attention. Your injuries may turn into something more serious if you wait for too long before seeking medical help.
Other common injuries from collapsing cabins resulting from head-on-collision accidents include:
- Herniated discs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken neck
- Back vertebrae fractures
- Torn tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the spine
Head-on collisions can leave you with permanent disabilities, including paralysis. However, if you aren’t at fault for the accident, you will not have to pay anything.
Airbag Injuries
Airbags are meant to save lives during accidents. However, they can also cause serious injuries, especially if not properly won.
Usually, the airbag inflates with great force to cushion your body against the impact. But, in some cases, the resulting force from an airbag is so strong that it pushes your body and head into compliant bones. This isn’t great for people with sensitive skin or other delicate areas on their bodies facing exposure like chests because these parts will get badly banged up.
Some of the injuries that result from Airbags include:
- Broken ribs or other chest injuries
- Facial burns, cuts, or broken bones
- Whiplash injuries
- Blindness (if the airbag hits your eyes)
- Spinal injuries if the airbag pushes your head backwards
If you are injured in a head-on collision, you need to seek medical attention right away. Failure to receive treatment for your injuries could result in further damage and could impair your ability to recover damages.
How much money can you get from a head-on collision?
The traumatic experience of getting into an auto accident is not as common but can happen to anyone. Head-on collisions account for 10% of the total accidents and have much worse consequences as you get hit head-on by another car or truck.
Head-on collisions occur when the front of one motor vehicle hits another. These are also called frontal crashes. These accidents can be much more dangerous than other types because you’re dealing with impact at full speed right in your line of sight.
The fault in a head-on collision lies with the driver who caused it. If you or your loved one has been hit while driving, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses.
There is no specific amount for head-on collision accidents as each case is unique.
When two parties are involved in a car accident, the lawyer for each party will attempt to get their client what they deserve. The amounts that these personal injury settlements should receive in compensation can vary depending on how much is awarded by way of damages or jury verdicts.
However, the amount that you can get in head-on collision is usually reflective or close enough towards expected values. The compensation amount aims at helping victims find some sense from this whole situation while also providing them with financial stability going forward.
Types of Damages in Head-on Collision Accidents
If you are injured in a head-on collision, you may be able to recover various damages. In this case, there are 3 types of damages:
- Non-economic damages
- Economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
These are damages that you can easily put a cost on or the ones that are easily measurable in dollars. Examples of economic damages include:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
- Other expenses incurred due to issues related to the crash
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages are those that are not easily measurable with dollars. These include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium to your loved ones
Punitive Damages
When a defendant’s behavior is found to be especially harmful, the court may award punishment damages at its discretion. These types of payments are not typically awarded in contract breach cases as they serve more as deterrents than actual compensation for harm caused by an action or inaction.
Who is at fault in a head-on collision?
If you caused or contributed to a car crash, then it is your fault. You may have been deemed responsible if the other person felt threatened and took action to protect themselves from being hurt. However, this will depend on their state laws concerning self-defense.
In most head-on collision accidents, the driver who is at fault is the one who crossed the centerline. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if a driver was driving drunk or distracted and caused the accident, they may be liable for damages. some of the negligent acts that lead to head-on collision accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. When drivers are distracted, they are less likely to see oncoming traffic and may swerve into oncoming lanes.
- Driving under the influence: Drunk driving is another leading cause of head-on collisions. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, reaction time, and vision, which can all lead to accidents if left unchecked.
- Speeding or reckless driving: Speeding is a common cause of head-on collisions because it reduces the amount of time drivers have to react. Speeding also increases the amount of force in head-on collisions, which can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
- Poor weather conditions: Head-on collisions are more likely to occur during inclement weather because it reduces visibility, makes roads slippery or icy (which leads to loss of control), and causes drivers’ reaction times to slow down.
- Driver error: Sometimes, head-on collisions are the result of driver error. This can include running a red light, failing to yield, or drifting into oncoming traffic.
What is considered a head-on collision?
As the name suggests, head-on-collision is a crash in which the front ends of two vehicles collide. This type of accident often results in severe injuries and fatalities.
Head-on collisions can occur for various reasons, including driver error, drunk driving, and road rage. They can also be caused by defective vehicles or roadway defects.
Head-on collisions are among the most serious car accidents and often result in severe injuries or death due to how much force is involved when two heavy objects collide. Although head-on collision accidents account for only 2% of all accidents, they are responsible for 10 percent of all the reported fatalities.
The most common type of car collision is when a motor vehicle crosses over onto another road’s centerline or median and crashes into an approaching one. This can also happen if you drive the wrong direction down the same stretch but less frequently than expected.
What is the average settlement for a head-on collision?
The average settlement for damages in any car accident varies from case to case. Head-on collisions can be costly, with the average settlement ranging from a few thousand dollars to more than $1 million.
Every case is different, and the amount of compensation you may be able to recover will depend on the facts of your case. The variety and unique nature of car accidents make it difficult to determine an “average” settlement. However, head-on collisions often result in serious injuries, so you may be able to recover significant damages.
In some cases, some factors may increase or decrease your settlement amount.
- The severity of the injuries
- Whether the victim was disfigured or disabled after the crash
- Education level and the age of the victim due to loss of wages
- Types of injuries sustained
- Whether there are permanent disabilities that will prevent them from returning to work
- Loss of consortium claim
How much is a head-on collision worth?
Head-on collisions are often more severe types of accidents as they produce serious damages. These accidents cause many different types of personal injuries that need assessment to be compensated appropriately based on various variables. Such as how much pain was caused whether there’s a possibility it may happen again with similar circumstances.
When two vehicles come into contact, it can be due to a fault of either driver or both. If one party was at fault in an accident and caused damages on the other side, they will have liability towards paying up for those losses even if there were no injuries suffered from this collision. However, as mentioned above, the average settlement for head-on collision accidents ranges from a few thousand to $1 million.
Can you survive a head-on collision?
According to a report by IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) in 2018, head-on collision accidents accounted for 56% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths, which totaled 12 932. With the alarming statistics and the odds not in your favor, you should stay calm and take care during a head-on collision as there is still hope for survival.
Facts & Statistics on Head-on Collision
Head-on collision accidents are a problem in all states across the United States. But knowing these statistics can help you stay cautious and safe while driving, right? Well, here are some important facts and statistics:
- Head-on collision accidents are more dangerous than other types of car crashes. According to statistics, head-on Rollover Pedestrian and bicycle crashes combined account for only 6%, yet result in 34 5% or one-third traffic-related fatality rates.
- The number of head-on collisions in the US is surprisingly small at 2% (approximately 123,000), but they account for 10% of the total nationwide fatalities.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a car accident?
If you are injured in a car accident, it is definitely worth getting a lawyer. An experienced head-on collision accident lawyer can help you receive fair compensation for your property damage and injuries. A head-on collision accident lawyer will know the law and how to negotiate with the insurance company.
A head-on collision can result in serious injuries and property damage. If you are injured in a head-on collision, you may be able to recover damages for your lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. As a victim you can still recover damages to your vehicle.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, head-on collisions can be very dangerous and often result in serious injuries. If you are injured in a head-on collision, it is important to contact a head-on collision accident lawyer as soon as possible. A head-on collision accident lawyer can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve.
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