Head-on collisions in Fishers, IN, are rare but dangerous due to the force of two vehicles traveling toward each other. These crashes cause catastrophic and even deadly injuries, including head and spine injuries, internal bleeding, and paralysis.
Although head-on collisions make up only 2 percent of car crashes, they are responsible for more than 10 percent of car accident fatalities.
A head-on collision lawyer has the knowledge and skill to deal with insurance companies after this type of accident. For insurers, the bottom line is their priority, and you need an experienced professional in your corner.
An experienced attorney knows what type of compensation you receive and how to demand it. If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on crash in Hamilton County, contact our Fishers personal injury law firm right away to preserve your rights.
What Is a Head-On Collision?
Also known as a front-end collision, a head-on collision can involve one or two vehicles. A single-car head-on crash occurs when the front end of the vehicle crashes into a fixed object, such as a telephone pole or a wall.
An accident can also involve two cars that collide when they are traveling toward each other. Often resulting in vehicle rollovers, head-on collisions cause the most car accident fatalities every year.
Fatal Car Accidents in Indiana on the Rise
Fatal car accidents in Indiana have increased dramatically in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Surprisingly, car crash fatalities reached record highs in the state during the 2020 pandemic, even though there was less traffic that year.
In 2020, 897 people died in automobile accidents, second only to 916 traffic fatalities in 2017.
The skyrocketing numbers are likely caused by two factors: increased driving speed and fewer people using seatbelts. The NHTSA report noted that speeding was responsible for 238 car crash deaths in 2020 — the most in more than 10 years.
Common Causes of Head-On Accidents
A wide range of circumstances can result in head-on crashes. As head-on accident attorneys we see a common thread is negligence, whether it’s by a driver or a third party. If negligence is a factor, a head-on collision attorney can help victims or surviving family members file a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation.
These dangerous accidents often occur on back roads that have narrow lanes and inadequate lighting, but they can happen anywhere. Specific causes of frontal collisions include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Dangerous roads
- Driving while sleepy
- Fog or other weather conditions
- Driving distracted (such as texting)
- Aggressive driving or speeding
- Inexperienced driver
- Driving in the wrong direction
Whatever the cause, determining who is at fault is a crucial factor in calculating damages after a car accident. At this stage, you need an auto accident attorney who is experienced in this area.
Determining Liability in a Head-On Car Collision
After a head-on crash, it’s extremely important to hire a professionally trained head-on collision lawyer to document the evidence. One or both drivers may be at fault, depending on the specific details of the accident. If the attorneys and insurance companies are unable to negotiate a settlement, a jury trial will determine liability.
The amount of compensation depends on factors such as fault, the extent of injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. If you are partly at fault, you still may be able to receive compensation in Hamilton County.
However, if your fault is greater than a certain percentage, you may not be eligible for compensation. Your auto accident attorney will work to make sure you receive whatever compensation you are entitled to.
When someone dies in a head-on crash, the decedent’s close relatives and dependents may be able to sue for wrongful death. If your loved one has been killed in a frontal collision, you should consult a Fishers, Indiana auto-accident attorney as soon as possible.
Injuries Sustained in Head-On Crashes Between Two Cars
If you picture two cars heading toward each other at high speeds, it’s easy to understand why head-on collisions are so dangerous. This type of car accident often results in serious or life-threatening injuries. If you are injured in a head-on collision, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention.
You may not be aware of an injury until a doctor examines you. Besides receiving necessary care for your injuries, a visit to your doctor or emergency room will give you documentation for legal claims.
Arguably the most dangerous type of car crash, head-on collisions cause a variety of serious or deadly injuries. The following sections describe some common injuries from frontal crashes. A doctor must diagnose and prescribe treatment for these injuries.
Make sure you keep all bills and other documentation from medical appointments so that you can show them to your head-on collision accident lawyer.
Traumatic Brain Injury
One of the most devastating head-on collision injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs either from a direct blow to the head or from the brain striking the skull while being jostled. Symptoms of TBI range from headaches and dizziness to amnesia, coma, or death. You may not notice symptoms until weeks after the accident.
Spine Injury
From whiplash to disk or ligament damage, spine injuries are common in head-on accidents. Protected by the spine, the spinal cord runs through the neck and back and sends nerve signals throughout the body. That is why neck and back injuries often require physical therapy and can even result in paralysis.
You may notice numbness or loss of function in a part of your body after a frontal collision. Because the injuries can be serious, immediate medical attention is crucial for the treatment of neck and back injuries.
Chest and Internal Organ Injuries
At the very least, a chest injury can cause long-term pain and breathing problems. Internal organ damage, however, is an often invisible but life-threatening result of a chest injury. The force of a head-on crash can cause broken ribs that may puncture the lungs or heart. Seatbelts can damage abdominal organs, such as your intestines, spleen, or liver. Kidneys and other organs are also susceptible to damage in a head-on collision.
After a frontal crash, medical attention is important because of the possibility of these invisible injuries. You can receive possibly life-saving treatment as well as receive documentation for your injury claim.
Broken Bones
Even if you wear a seatbelt, your arms and legs are vulnerable to hitting the steering wheel or dashboard in a head-on accident. The force of the impact can result in broken limbs because the seatbelt does not restrain your arms and legs. In fact, the arms and legs often take the brunt of the impact.
A broken or crushed pelvis is another injury that can occur in a head-on crash.
Some broken bones or compound fractures require surgery. Medical bills can quickly add up for these injuries, so it’s vital that you show your car accident lawyer all bills and receipts.
Cuts, Bruises, and Abrasions
Steering wheel, seatbelt, dash, airbag: these are just some of the car parts that can cause cuts, bruises, and abrasions in a head-on collision. Though not usually life-threatening, these injuries are highly visible and painful. Your doctor can tell you if you need stitches or prescription medication for pain relief or infection.
Emotional Distress
From anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional distress is a common injury from a head-on collision. Although not as visible as a broken leg, emotional distress is a real and painful type of injury.
Proving this type of injury is not as straightforward as other injuries. A knowledgeable car crash lawyer is indispensable for emotional distress claims.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer Even if the Crash Wasn’t My Fault?
If you or a loved one is involved in a head-on car crash, even if the crash wasn’t your fault, you need a Fishers car accident lawyer to make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Insurance laws are complex and even tricky for most people. An attorney has the training and experience necessary to file the necessary paperwork and provide crucial documentation.
You even need a lawyer to deal with your own insurance company. Remember that insurance companies are looking out for their own interests. A head-on collision accident attorney knows how to protect your rights. They are professionally trained to negotiate a fair settlement and help you recover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.
I’ve Been Injured in a Car Crash. What Type of Compensation Can I Expect?
When you file an injury claim after a head-on collision, you can seek financial compensation or damages. The two most common types of damages are “specific” and “general” damages. The party who is at fault is responsible for paying damages that are awarded to the victim.
Specific Damages
Specific damages — also known as economic damages — have an obvious monetary value that can be readily calculated. Your compensation is usually the total cost of injuries and related car repairs. Proof of these damages can be determined by receipts and other documentation.
For example, you would need proof of your car’s original and depreciated value, its condition at the time of the accident, and the cost of replacing damaged parts. Examples of specific damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Vehicular property damage
General Damages
It’s harder to attach a dollar value to general or non-economic damages, but these damages are just as real as specific damages. This category of damages includes:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment
Assessing a dollar value for general damages can be a complex process. Insurance companies have their own formulas for this purpose, and they don’t want to pay more than they have to. It is, therefore, extremely important to have an experienced auto accident attorney working on your behalf.
Car Accident Attorney in Fishers, Indiana
A head-on crash is a frightening and painful experience. After an accident, the last thing you need is endless paperwork and hours on the phone talking to insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured in a frontal collision, you need a Fishers, Indiana head-on collision attorney on your side.
At SLG Accident Attorneys, an experienced Fishers personal injury lawyer, along with our knowledgeable team, will work diligently on your case.
Our personal injury attorneys are widely respected and trusted in the legal profession. You can expect promptly returned phone calls and respect from our team. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Some of the locations around Hamilton County which our law firm serves include: Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Greenwood, Indianapolis, Evansville, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Anderson, Avon, and more.
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