Head-on collisions can be horrific accidents with tragic results. Two cars traveling at 50 mph crashing into each other has the same effect as if a car drove straight into a concrete wall at 50 mph. The effect is as if the cars crashed at 100 mph.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve seen our share of injuries from head-on collisions. We’ve been a personal injury firm in Atlanta for more than 20 years, only serving clients who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence.
What to Do After a Head-On Collision
If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on collision in Atlanta, there are some steps that you can take to ensure your own safety and help your chances of getting a good settlement. After a head-on collision, you should:
- Report the accident immediately to the Atlanta police department. Their report will be a crucial record for future proceedings.
- Exchange information with the other driver, including driver and car license numbers.
- If there are witnesses, take their names and telephone numbers.
- Use your smartphone to take photos of as much as possible about the road, including road information.
- If anyone is injured, call an ambulance. If you were too injured in the accident to gather information, our seasoned investigators can recreate the accident by returning to the scene and poring through police and insurance reports.
- Seek medical treatment and call a personal injury attorney.
- Do not sign any papers from your or the other driver’s insurance company until you have consulted an attorney.
- Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster or agent without talking to an attorney first. As tempting as it is to be forthcoming, you can only hurt yourself.
You only have one chance to recover damages from an accident. Don’t squander that chance by being in a hurry. You may not even know the extent of your injuries for a while. Head-on collisions tend to damage the brain and spine, the types of injuries that often are not immediately apparent.
The Most Common Causes of Head-On Crashes
According to the Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 75% of head-on collisions occur on country roads and two-way roads without a divider. Typically, one driver tends to make what the report calls an “unintentional maneuver” such as drifting into the other lane or swerving around a curve.
A driver may “over-recover” around a curve and end up in the wrong lane. Alcohol and speeding are also significant factors. Neither car has to be traveling at a great speed to create significant damages. Contrary to what you may think, one car passing is not the typical reason for these collisions.
If your crash was caused by another factor like alcohol, you could be eligible for more damages. Talk to a drunk driving accident lawyer in Atlanta to learn what your options are.
Atlanta Head-On Collision Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
Typical Injuries in a Head-On Collision
Typical injuries from a head-on collision include:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms sometimes don’t become apparent for 24 hours after impact and can include stiffness and pain in the neck, as well as headaches and fatigue.
- Brain and head injuries. Your head is thrown back and forth in a head-on collision, making it vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries.
- Internal damage. The liver, spleen, kidneys, and stomach can be injured.
- Spinal cord injuries. These injuries can range from minor to full paralysis.
- Chest injuries. The chest and ribs can be bruised or broken from the impact of the seat belt and airbag.
- Foot and leg injuries. Feet and legs often absorb an impact, and knees, especially, can hit the dashboard in a collision.
The more severe your injuries, the more you’re likely to pay for treatment. Head-on collisions tend to result in more severe injuries than other car accidents, so having a head-on collision lawyer in Atlanta to help with your personal injury claim could be crucial to keeping financially afloat.
Damages Available in a Head-On Collision Claim
Personal injury claims seek payment for damages that someone else caused. Those can include:
- Reasonable and necessary medical care
- Income and wages for the time you can’t work because of the accident
- Pain and suffering
- In some cases, if the other driver is under the influence, as well as negligent, such as in a case of drunk or distracted driving, the courts will award punitive damages—damages meant to punish the other driver.
Remember, no matter whom you hire, your Atlanta head-on collision attorney should never take money upfront. Any attorney fees should come out of the settlement after a successful case.
For a free legal consultation with a head-on collision accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call 404-400-4000
Head-On Collision FAQs
- What Is the Average Settlement for a Head-On Collision?
- How Are Injuries in a Head-On Collision Different From Those of Other Automobile Accidents?
- Should I Accept the First Compensation Offer?
- Who Is at Fault if Two Drivers Hit Each Other?
- Should I Contact a Lawyer for an Accident That Was My Fault?
- If the Other Driver Says I Am at Fault, Does This Matter?
- What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Claim in a Head-On Collision?
What Is the Average Settlement for a Head-On Collision?
Truth be told, there is no “average” settlement that will help you understand how much you could get from your car accident claim. That’s because every crash is different, and everyone is affected differently by their injuries.
In general, claims like yours are decided by the specific damages that stemmed from the accident. The negligent party (or, in most cases, their insurance company) is responsible for paying for the aftermath. This can range from thousands of dollars to millions.
It is worth noting that head-on collisions usually yield higher settlements than other car accident claims. That’s because head-on collisions cause so much more damage than other crashes, both to your vehicle and to you.
How Are Injuries in a Head-On Collision Different From Those of Other Automobile Accidents?
Injuries in head-on collisions can be quite severe because of the physics of the crash. Drivers and passengers are generally thrown forward.
In the best-case scenarios, the car occupants are seat belted and thrown into airbags, which can crack ribs and break a few facial bones. In the worst case, drivers and passengers who are not seat belted can fly through the windshield onto the road.
Should I Accept the First Compensation Offer?
No, you should not accept the first offer that you receive from the insurance company. They often want to lowball you and give you much less than you’re actually owed. After a car accident, you shouldn’t sign anything or give the insurance company any information they don’t absolutely need until you talk to a lawyer.
Our head-on collision lawyers in Atlanta are experts when it comes to negotiating with the insurance company. It’s important to have someone by your side who can defend you from predatory insurance adjusters and keep them from taking advantage of you.
Who Is at Fault if Two Drivers Hit Each Other?
The most obvious signal of fault is one driver veering into the wrong lane and hitting another car going in the proper direction. But don’t try to figure out fault on your own. There can be multiple factors in head-on collisions.
Call a personal injury attorney at John Foy & Associates for a free consultation and let our seasoned investigators sift through the evidence. Our Atlanta head-on collision lawyers have years of experience and have accident reconstruction experts on call to find out what happened in your crash.
Should I Contact a Lawyer for an Accident That Was My Fault?
Always call a personal injury attorney to discuss your case before you make up your mind about representation. We’ve been in business for more than 20 years, and we only practice one type of law, personal injury. Their insurance company should represent those who are 100 percent liable.
But before that happens, allow yourself a fair and ethical second opinion by calling our head-on collision injury attorneys. Your consultation will be free and confidential. We don’t get paid unless there is a recovery.
If the Other Driver Says I Am at Fault, Does This Matter?
Do not argue with the other driver about who is at fault. Simply exchange information and remain cordial. Fault is determined by a number of factors and will be detailed in the police report and the insurance company report.
According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-12-33, you are allowed to recover for a case even if you are partially at fault. This is called comparative negligence—our attorneys can help determine your percentage of fault. There may even be a liable third party–for example, you may have been driving on a defective roadway.
What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Claim in a Head-On Collision?
In Georgia, the statute of limitations—or time allowed for pursuing a case–is generally two years after the accident. However, there are shorter exceptions.
However, it’s especially important in a head-on collision to get started as soon as possible. First, you need medical care and we can help point you in the right direction even if you can’t afford it. Second, evidence grows “cold” and witnesses disappear. The sooner we get started, the better.
Talk to a Head-On Collision Attorney in Atlanta Today
The Atlanta head-on collision lawyers at John Foy & Associates are part of a large, well-established personal injury firm in Atlanta. For the last 20 years, we’ve helped people who have been injured through another’s negligence recover millions of dollars.
We’ve seen our share of auto accidents throughout the years. Our reputation for being ethical and vigilant is well known throughout the insurance industry. If a John Foy & Associates attorney represents you, we’ll take care of all the legal details. Give us a call or contact us online and someone will be ready to talk to you, available 24/7.
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