Car accidents can lead to serious injuries and even wrongful death. A head-on collision can be one of the more dangerous and deadly car accident events.
Whether from distracted driving or a highway safety violation, these types of accidents can lead to wrongful death cases or car accident claims that take time to work their way through court.
At Rhoads & Rhoads Law Firm, we know how to help you get a fair settlement and receive compensation after a car accident. We know the legal process and Kentucky law inside and out and know how to help you avoid expenses and hardships due to another person’s negligence.
Our team is waiting to help you through the claims process after a catastrophic injury or a wrongful death from a head-on collision. Call us today at 888-709-9329.
Why You Need a Head-On Collisions Lawyer in Kentucky
A head-on collision can be devastating. Trying to understand all the steps needed to move on from a car accident and make sure that your personal injury claim is given the attention it needs requires extra help.
An experienced attorney can help you with a personal injury claim or a wrongful death claim after a head-on collision. Owensboro car accident lawyers understand Kentucky laws and statutes for these types of auto accidents and can help you get your medical bills and other expenses covered to help relieve the financial burden on you and your family in already trying times.
An auto accident attorney will be able to help you understand the extent of your injuries and work to provide you with fair compensation from the at-fault party. Experienced attorneys know that someone else’s carelessness doesn’t mean that you need to go through any more suffering. That’s why our legal team works tirelessly to make sure that you can get the maximum recovery after head-on motor vehicle accidents.
Compensation for Head-On Collision Injuries
A motor vehicle accident often leads to expenses such as:
Medical bills: A personal injury attorney can help you get compensation for any medical treatment you receive as a result of the car accident. That includes the common injuries you may sustain, along with hospital bills for extended visits and treatments.
Lost wages: If the car accident puts you out of work, you can include your lost wages in a claim. Your personal injury lawyer can help you determine exactly what that amount totals and how it should be included in the suit.
Future Medical Expenses: This involves a recovery for medical expenses that will likely be needed in the future by the injured person.
Impairment To Earn: This claim involves the amount of money an injured person will be reasonably likely to lose over their lifetime as a result of their injures.
Property damage: Car accidents often lead to significant property damage. That includes your vehicle, as well as any other valuables that might have been in the car at the time of the accident as well. Your personal injury attorney can help you determine damages from auto accidents and make sure those are included in your filing.
Pain and suffering: Some of the damages from an unexpected injury or a car accident can go beyond just the medical bills. PTSD, ongoing pain and suffering, self-esteem damages, and grief from a wrongful death are all non-physical injuries that personal injury attorneys can add to your suit so you receive compensation for those emotional damages.
In addition, a head-on collision has a higher-than-average chance of leading to death or serious injury. That is especially true if the collision was a truck accident, as trucks are much heavier than cars and pedestrians. Similarly to truck accidents, head-on motorcycle accidents are also much more deadly and dangerous, leading to severe injuries or worse more often than head-on car accidents.
Unlike rear-end accidents or fender benders, a head-on collision tends to have more devastating injuries sustained from the impact, due to the higher rate of speed during the accident. Victims have less time to adjust for someone else’s negligence, and are in the front line of the impact, while rear-end collisions tend to occur at a slower rate of speed and a further distance from the driver or passenger position in the vehicle.
In Western Kentucky, you have a right to file a personal injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit after a head-on collision. If the motor vehicle accident results in a death, then the surviving spouse or children of the victim can pursue compensation for their losses and damages.
Who Is at Fault in a Head-On Collision?
Finding fault in a head-on collision is an important part of the legal process. A car accident lawyer will fight for you and work with the insurance company to determine fault, but there are a few parties who are likely to be found liable for the auto accident.
Reckless drivers are often the cause of a head-on collision accident. Whether from deliberately disobeying traffic laws or plain carelessness, a distracted or reckless driver will be at fault due to Kentucky’s motor vehicle laws. That means that a person can be found guilty of harming you causing injuries or damages to your property.
Another potential at-fault party is a driver uninvolved in the actual car or truck crash. If a driver is being reckless or dangerous, they may cause a second driver to swerve or try to move out of the way suddenly, leading to a head-on collision. In this case, the original driver may be the liable party, rather than the driver of the vehicle that made the impact.
A third possible at-fault option is a vehicle manufacturer. If the head-on collision is caused by a mechanical issue, then the manufacturer may be liable in a wrongful death lawsuit or personal injury claim. Personal injury lawyers might also consider an employer for fault in the case of truck accidents involving company vehicles.
What to Do After a Head-On Car Accident
If you are involved in a head-on collision or witness this type of auto accident, there are a few key steps you need to take to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.
Call 911
The first step is to call 911. A head-on collision can be deadly, so getting medical treatment to the location as soon as possible is critical. Every second matters and taking action quickly can help reduce the severity of injuries at the scene.
Move to a Safe Location
To ensure your well-being, it’s important to move to a safe location if you can. Don’t risk aggravating your injuries if you are severely harmed, but be aware of your surroundings.
Many head-on accidents take place on busy highways or freeways, and remaining in traffic could put you at even more risk.
Keep Calm and Assess Your Injuries
Take time to look over the injuries sustained during the accident and try to determine the most immediate concerns. That can help you when medical services arrive.
You can also help deliver first aid or follow the directions of the 911 operator if you are tending to another person’s injuries.
Document the Accident
A personal injury case needs to have evidence and documentation of the incident. Once it is safe to do so, take steps to collect contact and insurance information from the people involved in the accident, and gather witness statements from any people who observed the accident take place.
Taking these steps can help your personal injury lawyer when it comes time to file a suit and follow the legal process.
Reach Out to Your Insurance Company After Car Accidents
Even if you are working with a personal injury lawyer, it’s important to have documentation with your insurance company and start a claims process through them.
An insurance claim can help you determine the value of your property damage and provide your legal representation with important information about the validity of your own stance in court.
Finding a Reliable Car Accident Attorney
Finally, start looking for personal injury lawyers after the accident. These professionals will help you go through the legal process, find the responsible party, and get the compensation you deserve, either as the injured party or as the surviving spouse.
Finding personal injury lawyers with experience in car accidents is important to get the most out of your claim. A firm like Rhoads & Rhoads is experienced in both Kentucky law.
Common Causes of a Head-On Motor Vehicle Accident
There are a few different causes of a motor vehicle crash that results in a head-on collision.
Here are some of the most common ways that a head-on collision can occur:
Distracted Drivers
Someone on their phone, reaching in the backseat, eating food, or trying to adjust their interior settings can be distracted and keep their eyes off the road. That can cause them to veer into oncoming traffic.
Impaired Drivers
A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs can put themselves and other motor vehicles at risk. They may have delayed reactions or can even pass out behind the wheel, leading to a head-on collision.
Weather Conditions
Heavy rain, wind, or other severe weather can lead to slippery roadways or poor visibility. In these types of conditions, a driver might inadvertently veer into oncoming traffic.
Mechanical Failure
If a car locks up or has another type of mechanical failure like malfunctioning brakes, it can cause the driver to lose control and cause a crash.
Speeding
If a driver is speeding, they have less time to make adjustments or corrections to their driving. That can lead to overcorrecting that causes an accident or forces another driver to make an unsafe move to get out of their way.
Unsafe Lane Changes
If someone doesn’t obey traffic laws around lane changes, they might swerve into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision.
Head-On Collision Injuries
A head-on collision can lead to severe injuries, including death.
Here are some of the most common injuries that may be sustained during a head-on collision accident:
- Brain trauma injuries
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Limb amputation
- Burns
- Psychological trauma
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations and bleeding
- Eye injuries
- Death
Contact Owensboro Car Accident Lawyers in Owensboro, Kentucky
At the law firm of Rhoads & Rhoads, we understand how important it is for you to have a car accident lawyer who understands your situation and works with you. We are experienced in personal injury cases and know how to help you get the compensation you deserve after a car or motorcycle accident with head-on damages.
We fight for you, not just in court, but in every interaction, championing your rights against large companies. Leveraging 50 years of legal experience in Western Kentucky, we provide knowledgeable counsel. You pay nothing unless we win your case—ensuring access to justice for all.
For a free consultation, call 888-709-9329 to learn more about how we can help.