The Damage of a Head On Collision
When it comes to car accidents, none is more severe than the head on collision.
In a head on collision, two vehicles meet each other dead on, transferring the full unmitigated kinetic energy of the crash through the front of both vehicles.
Not only does a head on collision create a heavier impact, it also puts the drivers and passengers of both vehicles in an extremely vulnerable position.
A vehicle which has suffered a head on collision is likely to have significant damage. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the damage to the vehicle can trap victims inside the car, potentially delaying medical treatment.
Trapped in a vehicle, the victim(s) are also vulnerable to burns, smoke inhalation, exposure, electrocution, or even drowning if the car crashes near a body of water.
Head on collisions are extremely serious and the injuries they produce are often permanent or life threatening.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury or death as the result of a head on collision, you owe it to yourself and your family to pursue compensation in the form of a personal injury claim.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
As with any motor vehicle accident, a head on collision can be the result of any number of contributing factors. These include everything from driver error to mechanical failure to inclement weather conditions.
Not all head on collision accidents have a party which is clearly liable. However, when the negligence of one driver can be demonstrated, that driver can be held liable for damages resulting from the accident.
Some of the most common causes of head on collisions include:
- Loss of Control: Loss of control can result from mechanical failures such as brake or tire malfunctions, or loss of instruments such as headlights or windshield wipers. Poor road and weather conditions, such as wet or icy roads, obstacles and debris in the roadway, wildlife crossing roads, dark roads, rain, snow, fog, and high wind can all contribute to loss of control of a vehicle.
- Driver’s Negligence: A negligent driver may operate their vehicle erratically, drive above the speed limit, fail to signal, fail to use headlights, fail to brake, race with other drivers, miscalculate turns, engage in distracted driving, drive while intoxicated, fall asleep while driving, or perform any other number of illegal or negligent actions which result in a head on collision.
Injuries From Head On Collisions
A head on collision is likely to produce all of the injuries you would expect from a normal car accident. Because of the direction of the forces involved in a head on collision, a head on collision may result in more severe injuries than another type of collision.
Typical injuries from a head on collision might include fractures and broken bones, especially shoulders, ribs, spine, arms, hands, legs, feet, neck, and skull.
Injuries to the head may also result in damage to the brain and brain injury.
Neck and spinal cord injuries can cause ongoing issues, nerve damage, and problems which may affect the entire body.
Severe trauma may result in internal bleeding and damage to internal organs.
In the event of a fire, victims may suffer burns and smoke inhalation.
Deep wounds, punctures, lacerations, and other cuts may also result from the collision.
Many of these injuries can prove fatal alone or in combination with other injuries suffered during the crash.
In addition to these life threatening injuries, victims may also suffer extremely painful but not life threatening injuries such as road rash, whiplash, bruising, cuts, disfigurement, facial injuries, and other damages to the body.
Subsequent to the crash the victims may also experience psychological injuries, such as emotional trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.)
Damages Which Can Be Recovered From a Head On Collision Claim
As with any personal injury claim, you are entitled to seek compensation for damages which resulted from a head on collision accident.
Any damages which can be demonstrably linked to the accident can be included in the personal injury claim.
This might include expenses such as medical bills covering hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, surgery, and ongoing treatments. In cases where clear psychological damage can be linked to the accident, psychiatric and psychological treatments may be included as part of the damages sought in the personal injury claim.
It may also include compensation for the pain and suffering (both physical and psychological) suffered by the victim(s) of the accident.
Other damages can include compensation for lost income, such as loss of wages while recovering from an injury. It is also possible to seek compensation for lost earning potential. For example, if an injury prevents you from doing your job in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for lost future earnings.
In the event of the death of a loved one in a head on collision, you may be able to seek compensation for their death.
Immediate property damage, such as the vehicle itself and any belongings in the vehicle, can also be included as part of the damages in your personal injury claim.
A head on collision is the worst kind of car accident and something you never want to deal with. But if you do suffer this misfortune, the expert personal injury lawyers at Diamond & Diamond are standing by to provide you with Canada’s finest legal representation.
Involved in a Head On Collision? Speak With a Lawyer From Diamond & Diamond Today
With cumulative decades of personal injury law experience, the team at Diamond & Diamond has tackled just about every personal injury claim imaginable.
We’ve seen it all and made it through to tell the tale. Now we’re giving the benefit of our experience to anyone in need of personal injury representation in Canada.
Ready to schedule your free consultation? We’d love to work with you.
You can get in touch via the contact form on our website, our 1-800 number, or by visiting any of our offices across Canada.
Take advantage of our no cost case evaluation to get a keen legal perspective on your case.
We can’t wait to hear from you. Don’t delay!
PRO TIP:
“Determining fault in a head on collision can sometimes be a tricky business, resulting in little more than your word versus the word of the other driver. It’s vital to have all available evidence and seek any recordings or eyewitnesses to strengthen your claim.”
The Damages of Head On Collisions FAQs
How can you determine who was at fault in a head on collision?
Determining fault in a head on collision requires some type of direct evidence, such as the positioning of the vehicles, video recording, photographs, eyewitness testimony, or some piece of demonstrable evidence which can show that one driver was negligent in their driving. Sometimes it can be easily proven who was at fault (i.e., one car was traveling in the wrong lane and photographic evidence of the crash proves they were in the wrong lane prior to the head on collision,) but in some circumstances, determining fault for a head on collision can be a complicated matter. Consult a personal injury attorney to help you assess the best way to prove your claim.
Are motorcycle head on collisions possible, and if they are, do they happen often?
While it is possible for two motorcycles to collide head on, this is exceptionally rare. Motorcycles can be involved in head on collisions with other vehicles, which can often result in fatal injuries.
If I think the head on collision was caused by an unlit street, who can I sue?
If an accident is caused by unsafe road conditions, it is possible that the authority responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the road may be liable for damages caused by the accident, if it can be demonstrated that they were negligent in their duty to create and maintain safe driving conditions within reasonable expectations.
Who is at fault in a head-on collision?
The vehicle traveling in the wrong direction is usually at fault in a head on collision. For example, an intoxicated driver may begin weaving side to side. At some point the driver may then swerve so far to one side that the car enters the lane of oncoming traffic.
When should you call a lawyer if you got involved in a car accident?
You should always contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you put yourself in a safer position and ready to talk. If you have been injured in a car accident and may be partially at fault for the accident, a personal injury lawyer can help protect you against legal claims by the other parties involved in the accident.
How do I settle an accident claim without a lawyer?
To settle a car accident claim without a lawyer, you need to evaluate the extent of Your damages and peak to the insurance adjuster. Take pictures of the property damage, the accident scene, and the injuries. Get a copy of the police report and get the medical treatment you need, as soon as possible. After that, you can now craft your demand letter, do your diligence before going to court, and finally await the judge’s verdict and accept the settlement.