Head-on collisions are among the most devastating motor vehicle accidents on Alabama roads. They frequently cause significant injuries, and many are fatal. If you’ve been hurt in a head-on collision in Athens, Alabama, you likely face a lengthy and challenging recovery process, along with costly medical bills and financial strain due to missing work. Furthermore, these collisions can also lead to mental and emotional distress.
After a head-on crash that was someone else’s fault, you need the time and space to focus on healing. Let an experienced attorney from the law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., handle all the details of pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries and related losses.
Contact our office today for a free initial consultation with an experienced Athens head-on car accident attorney.
Why You Need Our Law Firm After a Head-On Collision in Athens, AL
After a head-on collision, you need a car crash attorney who will investigate your case and outline your legal options for seeking compensation. Legal action is often challenging, and hiring a lawyer can alleviate the stress of navigating the system on your own. Let the Athens head-on collision lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., advocate for your rights and interests.
Since 1966, our attorneys have been helping Alabama car accident victims, standing up against insurance companies, and fighting for the compensation injury victims deserve. We’ve secured over $125 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients during that time. We’re ready to put our experience and knowledge of Alabama law to work to seek the best outcome for you. When you hire us, you can rest assured that you have a team of highly experienced personal injury attorneys fighting for you.
Understanding Head-On Car Accidents and Why They Are So Severe
Head-on crashes are often severe due to the circumstances in which they occur. When a driver is fatigued, distracted, or impaired by drugs or alcohol, they’re more likely to drift out of their lane and less likely to react in time to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle. Because drivers who cause head-on collisions are often not in control of their cars, they are likely traveling at high rates of speed and may fail to brake or take other evasive actions, causing their car to collide with other vehicles with much greater force.
Although modern vehicles are equipped with improved safety features, such as airbags and seatbelts, they may fail to save the lives of drivers and passengers involved in head-on crashes or protect them from serious injuries. According to recent National Safety Council statistics, head-on collisions account for nearly 4 percent of all collisions but cause nearly 8 percent of injuries and almost 30 percent of fatalities in crashes involving other vehicles.
The Main Causes of Head-On Crashes in Athens
While head-on car accidents can happen for various reasons, the leading cause is drivers who are negligent, reckless, or careless. Drivers who are distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or fatigued are likely to commit errors that lead to head-on accidents. For example, a distracted or impaired driver may drift out of their lane and into oncoming traffic or go the wrong direction on a one-way street or divided highway, significantly increasing the risk of head-on collisions.
Other driver behaviors that can lead to head-on collisions include speeding, street racing, and aggressive driving, which can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and collide with others. Driver confusion can also be a factor in a head-on crash. In some cases, inadequate signage or poorly designed roads can contribute to crashes involving wrong-way drivers.
Poor road conditions like potholes and debris may lead drivers to swerve out of their lanes to avoid vehicle damage, resulting in head-on collisions. Additionally, accidents involving multiple vehicles may lead to secondary head-on crashes.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Head-On Collisions?
Head-on collisions are likely to result in significant injuries. Some of the most common head-on collision injuries include:
- Head and neck injuries, including concussion, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Facial injuries
- Seatbelt and airbag injuries
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Soft tissue injuries
- Limb loss
- Crushing injuries
- Burns
- Emotional and psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder
- Fatal injuries
How Is Fault Determined in Head-On Collision Cases?
Drivers are responsible to other road users to drive carefully, obey the rules of the road, and avoid causing collisions. If a driver breaches this duty and causes a head-on collision that injures others, that driver may be liable for the injuries and other losses caused by the crash.
To determine and prove fault in a head-on auto accident case, attorneys will gather and evaluate various types of evidence. Some examples of common types of evidence include:
- Police accident report
- Photos from the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, debris, and traffic signs
- Videos from traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby surveillance cameras
- Eyewitness statements
- Testimony from experts in accident reconstruction and other professions
- Medical records
- Information from the police report
What Types of Compensation Are Available for Victims of Head-On Collisions?
Victims of head-on collisions may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and other crash-related losses through personal injury cases. If you were involved in a head-on collision caused by another driver in Athens, you could pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, and mobility equipment
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation for injuries
- Lost income for time away from work to heal from injuries
- Loss of future earning capacity and benefits if injuries result in permanent impairments
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of quality of life due to permanent impairments, scarring, and disfigurement
Why Is It Important to Consult with a Lawyer After a Head-On Collision?
Consulting with our head-on car accident attorneys is one of the first things you should do following a collision. Our experienced lawyers can handle communications with insurance companies and take care of the large volume of paperwork associated with seeking compensation. That will allow you to focus on healing.
When you contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., you can rest easy knowing your case is in highly qualified hands. We’re here to answer your questions, handle every aspect of the legal process, and fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
Reach out today to get started with a free consultation.
