Head-on car collisions are among the most dangerous types of accidents on the road. These crashes often result in serious injuries or even fatalities due to the high impact of two vehicles striking each other head-on.
Knowing what to expect in the aftermath is important when you’ve been involved in a head-on collision. From understanding how these accidents happen to learning about your legal options, taking the proper steps early on can make a big difference in your recovery and getting the compensation you need and deserve.
Table of contents
- What Are Some Common Causes of Head-On Car Collisions?
- What Are The Types of Injuries Commonly Sustained in Head-On Collisions?
- What to Consider After a Head-On Collision
- Understanding Who is At Fault in Head-On Car Crashes
- Do I Need a Lawyer for a Head-On Car Accident?
- Speak to a New York Head-On Accident Attorney Today
What Are Some Common Causes of Head-On Car Collisions?
Head-on car collisions can happen in an instant, often with little time to react. Several factors, including driver error or environmental conditions, can contribute to these accidents.
Identifying the cause of your crash will help you and a head-on collision lawyer determine liability and build a solid case for compensation.
- Distracted Driving. Distractions like texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting the car's controls can cause drivers to drift into oncoming traffic, leading to a head-on collision. Even a few seconds of inattention can result in a serious accident.
- Impaired Driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a leading cause of head-on collisions. Impaired drivers often have slower reaction times and poor judgment, increasing the risk of crossing into opposing lanes.
- Fatigue. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Fatigued drivers may fall asleep at the wheel or lose focus, causing them to veer into the wrong lane.
- Speeding or Reckless Driving. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to control their vehicle, especially on curves or narrow roads. Speeding increases the chances of drifting into oncoming traffic, making a head-on collision more likely.
- Wrong-Way Driving. Sometimes, a driver may enter a roadway in the wrong direction, especially on highways or rural roads with limited visibility. Wrong-way driving often leads to devastating head-on crashes.
- Adverse Weather Conditions. Poor visibility and slippery roads caused by rain, fog, or snow can lead to accidents. Drivers may unintentionally cross the center line or fail to see oncoming traffic in these conditions.
What Are The Types of Injuries Commonly Sustained in Head-On Collisions?
Head-on collisions often result in severe injuries due to the direct impact between vehicles. The force of the crash can cause serious harm to drivers and passengers, sometimes with life-changing consequences. Here are some of the most common injuries seen in these types of accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). When a person’s head strikes the dashboard, steering wheel, or window, it can lead to a traumatic brain injury. TBIs can range from concussions to more severe damage, which can cause long-term cognitive and physical impairments. Symptoms of a TBI may not appear immediately, so it’s important to seek medical attention even if you feel fine after the accident.
- Spinal Cord Injuries. The force of a head-on collision can cause damage to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. Spinal injuries are often serious and require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
- Broken Bones. The impact of the crash can easily lead to fractures or broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone. These injuries may require surgery and extensive physical therapy for recovery in severe cases.
- Whiplash. One of the most common injuries in car accidents, whiplash, occurs when the neck is violently jerked back and forth, damaging the muscles and ligaments. Whiplash can cause neck pain, stiffness, and headaches; if not treated properly, it can lead to chronic pain.
- Internal Injuries. The blunt force trauma of a head-on collision can cause internal injuries, such as damage to the liver, kidneys, or spleen. Internal bleeding is particularly dangerous, as it may not be immediately apparent. It’s important to seek medical care to ensure no hidden injuries are present.
- Facial Injuries. Broken glass, airbag deployment, or contact with the steering wheel can cause facial injuries. These may include cuts, bruises, or more severe damage like fractures, which may require reconstructive surgery.
- Psychological Injuries. Beyond physical injuries, head-on collisions can cause emotional trauma. Many accident survivors experience anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The emotional toll of the accident can be long-lasting, impacting daily life and mental health.
What to Consider After a Head-On Collision
If you’re recovering from a head-on collision, whether still in the hospital or at home, your focus is likely on how to move forward and get compensation for the injuries and financial losses you've suffered. Now that the immediate health concerns are being addressed, your next step may be crucial: seeking legal advice.
Why Contacting a Lawyer is Key
After a head-on collision, many people face the emotional toll of dealing with a life-changing accident. Insurance companies may not always act in your best interest—they’re often more concerned with settling quickly and for the least amount possible. This is where a car accident lawyer can make a difference.
How A Car Accident Attorney Can Help
- Handle Communication with Insurance Companies. If you’re still recovering, the last thing you want is to deal with an insurance adjuster trying to pressure you into a quick settlement offer for bodily injury liability. A lawyer can control this communication and ensure the insurance company does not “lowball” you.
- Build a Strong Case. A lawyer can gather the necessary evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, and witness statements, to build a solid case on your behalf. This is important if the other party is disputing liability or if there are complex factors involved in the accident.
- Maximize Your Compensation. Insurance companies often offer settlements that don’t fully cover the full extent of pain and suffering. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the full scope of your losses and negotiate for a settlement that reflects the true impact of the accident on your life.
- Take the Stress Off You. Legal proceedings can be overwhelming, especially when you’re recovering from serious injuries. By hiring a lawyer, you allow someone else to handle the legal details while you focus on healing. Whether dealing with paperwork, filing claims, or even preparing for trial if needed, a lawyer can ensure that your case is handled correctly and efficiently.
Reaching out to a car accident lawyer is often the first step toward securing the financial support you need. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorneys’ fees unless they successfully recover on your behalf. This can provide peace of mind while you recover, knowing that your legal and financial interests are being taken care of.
Understanding Who is At Fault in Head-On Car Crashes
If you’ve been involved in a head-on car collision, determining who is at fault is one of the most important aspects of your case.
Liability plays a decisive role in whether or not you’ll receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Understanding how fault is assigned and the factors affecting liability will help you better navigate your legal options.
How is Fault is Determined?
In head-on collisions, the driver who crossed into the oncoming lane is typically at fault. However, determining the exact cause of the accident isn’t always straightforward. The following are several factors that may come into play when assessing fault.
- Distracted or Impaired Driving. If one driver was texting, under the influence, or otherwise distracted, they would likely be considered responsible for the accident. Police reports and witness statements are key in establishing whether distractions were a factor.
- Road Conditions. If hazardous or defective road conditions contributed to the accident—such as a lack of road signs, poor lighting, or slick surfaces—liability may also extend to other parties, such as a government entity responsible for road maintenance.
- Mechanical Failures. In some cases, a vehicle defect may have caused the accident, potentially making the manufacturer liable. Further investigation into the car’s condition will be needed if mechanical failure is suspected.
The Role of Police Reports
The police crash report from the scene of a head-on collision can play a significant role in building a legal case.
These reports typically include details such as how the crash occurred, witness statements, and whether traffic laws were violated. However, in New York, a crash report may not always be admissible as evidence in court.
Since the officer who wrote the report most likely did not witness the accident, statements or conclusions based on secondhand information, such as witness accounts or the positioning of vehicles moved before the officer’s arrival, are generally inadmissible.
For this information to be admitted, it must fall under a specific hearsay exception, like the business records exemption.
According to New York Civil Practice Law and Rules §4518, certain parts of the crash report can be admitted under the business records exception if they are based on the officer’s observations while performing their duties.
For example, an officer’s notes about smelling alcohol on a driver’s breath or a diagram of the accident scene drawn based on what the officer personally observed may be admissible in court.
While insurance companies and attorneys often rely on crash reports to assess liability, it’s important to know that a report’s conclusions are not always definitive.
Even if a crash report isn’t entirely in your favor, your lawyer can challenge its contents by presenting additional evidence, such as testimony from witnesses or expert analysis of the accident.
Proving Who is Liable for the Head-on Accident
Several elements must be established when proving negligence in a head-on collision case to show that the other party is responsible for the accident.
The following are the essential elements of proving negligence and how each can be demonstrated through evidence.
- Duty of Care
The first element of negligence is showing that the other driver owed you a duty of care. In a car accident, every driver is expected to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner to avoid causing harm to others on the road.
The mere fact that someone was driving establishes their duty to act reasonably and follow traffic laws. This is typically a straightforward element in most car accident cases.
- Breach of Duty
Once a duty of care is established, the next step is to show that the other driver breached this duty by acting carelessly or recklessly. This could include distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, or violating other traffic laws.
Third-party witnesses can corroborate whether the other driver behaved recklessly, such as running a red light or crossing into oncoming traffic.
In some cases, traffic cameras may capture the incident, providing clear evidence of the breach.
- Causation
Next, it must be proven that the other driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries. The breach must be the “cause in fact” (actual cause) and “proximate cause” (legal cause) of the harm.
Accident reconstruction experts can examine the scene, vehicles, and available evidence to reconstruct how the accident occurred. They can demonstrate that the breach of duty (e.g., crossing into oncoming traffic) was the direct cause of the collision.
Documentation of your injuries and their relation to the accident can show that the collision directly caused them.
- Damages
Finally, you must show that you suffered actual damages from the accident. This includes economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering).
Your medical records detail the treatment you’ve received and the extent of your injuries. Economic damages can be proven with records of medical bills, property damage estimates, and evidence of lost income due to missed work.
Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering can be established through personal testimony, medical expert reports, and documentation of how the injuries have impacted your quality of life.
Proving negligence involves demonstrating that the other party failed to act with reasonable care, that this breach caused the accident, and that you suffered actual damages.
A New York car head-on accident attorney can gather the necessary evidence, work with experts, and build a strong case to show that the other driver was liable.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Head-On Car Accident?
After a head-on collision, dealing with your injuries and the legal process can be soul-crushing. A lawyer helps guide you through each step, handling the complex legal issues so you can focus on your recovery.
From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, an experienced lawyer makes sure your case is built on a solid foundation.
One key role of a lawyer is managing necessary paperwork and deadlines involved in a personal injury claim.
An attorney can file the appropriate documents, request records, and ensure everything is submitted on time. This removes the burden of dealing with these details yourself, which can be incredibly challenging while you recover from your injuries.
A head-on crash lawyer also takes the lead in investigating your case. This includes gathering evidence such as medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and other documentation supporting your claim.
In more complex cases, a lawyer may work with accident reconstruction experts or other specialists to ensure the facts are presented.
Negotiating with insurance companies is another critical aspect of a lawyer’s role. Insurance adjusters often try to settle claims quickly, sometimes offering less than the claim is worth. A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Speak to a New York Head-On Accident Attorney Today
When your world is turned upside down after a head-on car crash, being able to get your life back is constantly on your mind. You’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, and the uncertainty of what comes next.
At William Mattar Law Offices, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that victims of serious car accidents face. Whether you’re dealing with extended hospital stays, painful recovery, or the complex legal system, we’re here to help.
By choosing a head-on collision attorney from our law firm, you’ll have a dedicated lawyer focused on your case, working to secure fair compensation for your pain and suffering. We’ll handle the legal side so you can focus on healing.
Don’t let the aftershock of a serious accident overwhelm you. Get the support you need by contacting us at (844) 444-4444 or online for a free consultation today. Let us help you get the compensation you need and deserve.