Head-on collisions in Florence often cause severe injuries to both drivers and passengers. In addition to the physical pain of these injuries, crash victims must also deal with costly medical bills, lost wages from time missed at work, and long-term psychological trauma.
At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., we know firsthand how these accidents can upend lives. If you have been hurt in a head-on accident in Florence, Alabama, and someone else was at fault, we want to help you pursue the financial compensation you’re entitled to. Our firm has been advocating for injured people for more than 50 years and has recovered more than $125 million in compensation for our clients in that time.
Contact us today to talk to a head-on collision attorney in Florence, Alabama, about how we can put this experience and skill to work for you.
How Our Attorneys Can Help Your Case
Injuries resulting from a head-on crash often require expensive medical care over a long period. If you have suffered severe injuries in a head-on accident that was not your fault, you could be compensated for the losses you have already suffered and the losses you will likely suffer in the future.
The attorneys of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., can help you fight for fair compensation by:
- Finding the right medical and other professional help you need after the crash
- Investigating the accident to determine who might be liable for your injuries
- Gathering evidence to document all your injuries and prove liability
- Filing an insurance claim against the responsible parties and their insurance companies
- Negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf to recover as much compensation as possible
- Bringing your case to trial if a reasonable settlement agreement cannot be reached
How Head-on Collisions Occur in Florence, AL
A few of the most common causes of Alabama head-on collisions are:
- Speeding – A speeding driver might lose control of their vehicle and cross into the path of oncoming traffic.
- Distracted driving – When a driver is talking on a cell phone, texting, or otherwise distracted, their situational awareness diminishes significantly. The driver may not realize they have drifted out of their lane and into oncoming traffic.
- Drunk driving – A driver under the influence of alcohol often experiences impaired judgment, dulled reflexes, and difficulty recognizing hazardous situations. An impaired driver might not realize they are in the path of oncoming traffic. Alternately, they may pass out behind the wheel, which can easily lead to a head-on collision.
- Improper passing – Drivers must be careful when overtaking other vehicles, especially on two-lane roads. If a driver moves to pass another car without enough time or space to do so safely, they could plow into a car coming toward them.
- Wrong-way driving – A driver impaired by drugs or alcohol, lost, disoriented, or simply not paying attention can find themselves going the wrong way on the road, increasing the chances of a head-on collision.
- Road and weather conditions – Drivers need to slow down and be especially cautious in rain and fog or when there is ice on the road. These conditions can make a driver lose control of their vehicle, particularly if they have not adjusted their driving behavior to compensate. The same is true for roadways in poor repair or with insufficient lighting.
- Swerving to avoid animals – Drivers can cause head-on collisions if they swerve to avoid an animal or other hazards and put themselves in the path of oncoming traffic.
- Mechanical defects – While most head-on collisions result from driver negligence, in some cases, these crashes occur because a car’s tires, steering system, or other critical components fail.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Head-on Collisions
Some of the most common severe injuries from head-on collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Back, neck, and whiplash injuries
- Injuries to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Severed, amputated, or crushed limbs
- Burns
- Bone fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Emotional and psychological distress
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Head-on Collision?
Most head-on collisions occur because a driver was negligent or reckless. Although the negligent driver is usually liable for an accident, you will still need to establish this negligence to claim compensation. Doing so requires evidence, which could include:
- Information from police accident reports
- Crash scene photos
- Surveillance videos
- Eyewitness accounts
- Medical records
- Expert testimony
- Forensic accident reconstructions
In cases where a mechanical defect causes a head-on collision, the company that designed or manufactured the defective part could be held liable for the crash. As with cases involving negligent drivers, you need strong evidence to support a claim against a parts manufacturer. An experienced head-on collision attorney can handle gathering evidence to hold these parties accountable.
Head-on Collision Fatality Statistics
Head-on collisions are a particularly deadly type of traffic accident. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head-on collisions make up just 2 percent of all traffic collisions but account for 10 percent of traffic fatalities.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Florence, AL
Alabama’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims gives you two years from the date of a head-on collision to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will be unable to recover compensation for your injuries. That’s why you should consult an experienced Florence car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to get started on your case.
Contact Our Skilled Head-on Car Accident Attorneys Today
The Florence head-on collision attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are ready to help you demand compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Our legal team can help you seek the compensation you need to pay your medical bills so you can focus on healing.
Contact our Florence office today for a free case review and find out what we can do for you.