Car Accident Cases Involving Head-On Collisions

A head-on collision is truly a horrible type of auto accident to live through. Sometimes avoiding such a collision is almost impossible. The impact—literally and figuratively—can have devastating consequences that last for months, years, and in some cases, a lifetime. Unfortunately, many head-on collisions that result in the loss of life are caused by a driver that is impaired by alcohol, drugs or both. If you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident involving a head-on collision, you are not alone. We have helped many car accident victims recover compensation after head-on collisions in Georgia.

Frequency & Occurrence of Head-On Collisions

According to national statistics, head-on collisions on American roads generally account for about 10% of traffic deaths each year. When you remove intersection accidents from these statistics, head-on crashes account for nearly 20% of all fatal wrecks. Not surprisingly, the areas where head-on collisions occur with the most frequency include:

• Rural roads
• Undivided two-lane roads
• Roads with frequent curves that require additional steering to navigate safely
• Roads with sharp turns
• Roads that rise and fall, temporarily blocking a driver’s view of oncoming traffic
• Roads that have puddling water or ice accumulation

As the population in Atlanta and throughout Georgia continues to spread outside urban areas, traffic volumes are increasing on two-lane rural roads. This, unfortunately, leads to an increase in the frequency of head-on crashes.

How Head-On Collisions Occur

In most cases, a head-on collision occurs when a car or truck crosses the center line or median and crashes into an approaching vehicle. A head-on collision can also occur when a driver intentionally, or unintentionally, travels in the wrong direction down a roadway. This may occur due to a problem with the roadway’s design or a lack of appropriate traffic signs directing cars on the roadway. There are a number of other causes of auto accident involving a head-on collision, including:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Passing on a two-lane road
• Sudden lane changes
• Roadway defects, such as potholes and uneven pavement
• Vehicle malfunction
• Speeding and loss of control
• Over-correcting a lane adjustment

When head-on collisions occur, the injuries sustained are often catastrophic or even fatal. We have seen serious head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and other types of internal injuries from head-on car accidents. Due to the severity of most head-on collisions, it is important to choose an attorney who knows how to properly investigate these claims and hold at-fault parties responsible. For instance, it is often important for the attorney to hire an accident reconstruction expert to investigate the collision. If the expert is hired soon after the collision occurs, they can often document skid mark, yaw marks and debris on the roadway, all of which assist them in determining the manner in which the collision occurred. Likewise, if there is a problem with the roadway, proper notice must be given to the government entity responsible for the roadway. Such notice must be given within a very limited time period in order to pursue a claim against the responsible government entity.

Contact KWF after a Head-On Collision in Georgia

If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on collision in Atlanta, Decatur, Marietta, Alpharetta, Rome, Albany, Columbus, or anywhere in Georgia, contact the legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers at (888) 426-2100 or (404) 460-01010 to discuss your options going forward. We can help you obtain fair and just compensation for your injuries.