As Featured In
Head-on collisions are often far more serious than any other type of accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s data, in 2016 (the most recent year with available data), there were approximately 352 fatal “front-to-front” crashes in Texas. These kinds of crashes often occur because of intoxicated driving, distracted driving, and other factors.
If you or a loved one was injured in a head-on car crash, or if a member of your family was killed in a head-on car crash, talk to our lawyers today. The Arlington, TX head-on car crash lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm fight to get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages for car accident victims and their families. For a free consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
In Texas alone, 352 fatal head-on crashes occurred in 2016. Of these crashes, around 34% involved an intoxicated driver and another 34.3% involved distracted driving. These kinds of dangers are unfortunately common in head-on crashes.
If drivers are paying attention to the road and driving properly, there is no excuse for a head-on crash. However, many head-on collisions occur because a driver crosses the center line into oncoming traffic or because they hit another driver while making a dangerous or illegal left-hand turn. Some head-on crashes are also caused because drivers slip and lose control on wet or, occasionally, icy roads, drifting into oncoming traffic.
Dangers of Front-End Car Crashes
Many head-on car crashes are more serious than rear impact or side impact collisions. When cars are traveling toward each other, their speeds effectively combine, increasing the overall momentum of the collision and the severity of the crash. For instance, when a car traveling 25 mph hits a stopped car from behind, the force of that car is pushed into the stopped car. But when two cars, each traveling 25 mph, are involved in a head-on crash, it can be like the equivalent of a car driving 50 mph into a stopped car.
In many front-end crashes, drivers face a more serious risk of injury because they are situated at the front of the vehicle. The crumple zones in the front end of a car, plus safety features like airbags and seatbelts, are intended to keep drivers safe. However, if the other car is forced up onto the hood of the other car in an accident, the windshield may be the only thing protecting the occupants from being hit by the other vehicle or debris. If anything punctures the windshield, it can cause serious injury to the occupants.
When you are hit by something in front of you, the car stops quickly, but your body keeps moving forward. Seatbelts and airbags are designed to hold you to your seat, but the sudden force of being stopped by the belt or airbag can also cause injuries. This force can break ribs, cause you to bend and strain your back and spine, and lead to striking your face or head on the dashboard or steering wheel if the airbag is slow to react or does not go off.
Suing for a Front-to-Front Car Accident in Texas
When you face serious injuries in a car accident in Texas, you are often legally entitled to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Car accident insurance should be available to cover your injuries since every driver is required by law to carry certain minimum insurance coverage. However, car insurance claims may not fully cover your needs, and filing your case in court could be a better option.
Unlike some states with “no-fault” car insurance, Texas law never restricts your right to sue for injuries after a car accident. This means that you usually have the choice of filing with insurance or taking your lawsuit to court. When you file through insurance, damages may be available to cover compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, but the car insurance settlement may not be enough to cover these fully.
When you take your case to court, you can claim any economic damages that stem from the crash. That means claiming any medical costs you face, any wages you missed (or will miss in the future) because of your injuries, and any damages related to the death of a loved one killed in the crash. You can also claim damages for your pain and suffering, something that is not available through insurance.
Before accepting any money for your car accident claim, talk to an attorney about what your case is worth. You may miss damages by taking an insurance settlement, and accepting any settlement from the at-fault driver or their insurance company may block your ability to sue in court.
Arlington Car Accident Attorney for Head-On Crashes Offering Free Consultations
If you or a member of your family suffered serious injuries in a car accident, or if your parent, child, or spouse was killed in a car crash, talk to an attorney today. The Arlington car crash lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm represent injured car crash victims and help them and their families take their cases to court to get compensation for their injures. For a free consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.