Head-on collisions are a severe type of car accident that can have a life-altering impact. No one deserves to fall victim to an irresponsible driver hitting them head-on.
As head-on collision lawyers in St. Louis, our team works hard on your behalf to recover the full extent of the damages you suffered.
Handling your case by yourself is an unnecessary burden. Hire a St. Louis car accident lawyer from Walton Telken Injury Attorneys, who can represent your case from start to finish and offer skilled, nuanced legal guidance.
Causes of Head-On Collisions in St. Louis, Missouri
A head-on car collision is also called a frontal collision, and can come with catastrophic physical injuries and fatalities.
Head-on collisions are not the most common type of vehicle accident, but their causes need to be evaluated by their individual circumstances.
Distracted driving
When a driver is distracted, they usually aren’t paying attention to the road and may veer into the opposite lane. This is a huge risk to other drivers and can easily cause a head-on accident within a few seconds.
Driving impaired
Impaired driving under the effects of alcohol, medication or illicit drugs is another risk factor associated with head-on collisions. They may be unable to focus or fall asleep behind the wheel.
If someone is seriously impaired while driving, they may drive down the wrong lane, colliding with a vehicle that is going the right way.
Reckless driving
A driver could easily increase the risk of head-on collisions if they are driving recklessly. A good example of this is a driver who is passing incorrectly because they are in a hurry and want to get ahead of the car in front of them. If they aren’t paying attention to whether it’s safe to pass or are passing in a no-passing zone, they could collide with a driver in the opposite lane.
Head-on collisions can also occur if one of the drivers has ignored traffic signs or signals, failing to give the right of way to another vehicle.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the top causes of car accidents since it can have a domino effect. A driver who is speeding has less time to stop or yield to oncoming traffic. Speeding on a curved road can also cause a head-on collision since the vehicle may cross over the centerline.
Poor visibility
There are a few instances where the other driver may not necessarily be responsible for the head-on collision. This can happen if there is poor visibility, which makes it difficult to see oncoming vehicles.
Poor visibility can occur if there is a lot of fog, heavy rain, or heavy snowfall. The road conditions may also be bad, making it difficult to tell where the center line is, which can cause vehicles to swerve into oncoming lanes. Still, it’s the responsibility of every driver to operate their vehicle carefully when conditions are less than ideal.
Injury Risks Associated with Head-On Accidents
Depending on the type of vehicles involved in a collision and the speed of the vehicles, a head-on collision can have very serious repercussions. Not only can this do a great deal of damage to your vehicle, but it can also result in a multitude of injuries.
Here are some examples of common injuries as a result of head-on collisions:
- Brain trauma
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue wounds
- Internal injuries
- Dislocations
How Is Liability Proven in a Head-on Collision?
Determining fault in a head-on collision is usually straightforward because liability usually falls on the driver who originally crossed the centerline or drove against traffic.
Still, insurance companies may argue that some blame for the crash falls on the plaintiff. They’ll contend an individual in the correct lane could have moved to avoid the collision.
To officially prove who is at fault, our St. Louis head-on collision lawyers can review pieces of evidence such as:
- Video recordings
- Police report
- Witness statements
- Photos
Your head-on car accident attorney will use this evidence and other resources like your recollection to represent your case in court. Your attorney will also showcase how the accident has impacted your life to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Damages Are Available in Head-On Collision Cases?
After getting into a head-on collision, you most likely have considerable bills that you need to pay because of the accident. The good news is that there are damages available in the form of economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Depending on what caused the head-on collision and the other circumstances associated with your case, you could receive damages for things such as:
- Medical costs: Any type of medical expense as a result of the accident is something you could receive compensation for. This includes things like urgent care visits, surgeries, physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, and medication.
- Property damage: A head-on collision will often cause extensive damage to your vehicle, which can be very expensive to repair. You may be able to receive damages for the destruction of your vehicle, as well as any property you may have had inside the vehicle that was damaged.
- Lost wages: If you were injured in the head-on collision, you may have been unable to work, which resulted in lost wages. For more serious injuries, your earning capacity may have even been reduced if you were unable to continue working as many hours or at the same job.
- Pain and suffering: In rare instances, you may be able to receive non-economic damages for mental pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Contact Us at Walton Telken Injury Attorneys for Legal Representation
If you have been in a head-on collision, you are most likely entitled to compensation for any kind of damages as a result of the accident. As overwhelming a process as this feels, it is important to fight for what you deserve so that you can put your life back together.
At Walton Telken Injury Attorneys, we specialize in helping our clients get the compensation they deserve after head-on accidents. To hire a head-on collision lawyer in St. Louis, contact us today by scheduling a free case review online or calling us directly at 844-307-7349.
