Atlanta Head-On Collision Lawyer

Recent statistics reveal that about one in ten fatal accidents is the result of a head-on collision. Every year, these specific types of accidents take the lives of around 3,631 motorists throughout the country and injure thousands more.

Have you recently experienced a head-on car accident here in Georgia?

Any time you’re involved in a car accident that leads to significant losses, it’s a good idea to consider scheduling an initial consultation call with an Atlanta head-on car collision lawyer. It might be possible to receive compensation to cover the expenses you endure after the crash.

The right attorney will empower you to make good decisions on how to handle your accident by giving you more details about your legal rights, options, and best path forward. Learn more about head-on collisions here in Georgia and how our legal team at Singleton Law Firm can help you recover below.

What are Head-On Collisions?

A head-on collision is a type of car accident where two vehicles slam into one another with both of them traveling in opposite directions, and with the impact being to the front end of both vehicles. A head-on collision can also describe an accident where a motorists slams directly into a stationary object, like a pole or a tree. Head-on collisions can also involve pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

While you may or may not see the other vehicle or stationary object coming, you’ll certainly feel the impact of the collision. A head-on crash often leads to substantial injuries.

Causes

The number one cause of head-on collisions is distracted driving. Distracted driving happens anytime a driver takes their focus off the road, even briefly. Distractions can be physical, like a cellphone alert going off, or they can be mental, like feeling emotionally charged or fatigued. Distractions can also be external. For instance, a driver might get sidetracked looking at a police officer pulling someone over and cause a head-on collision. Distractions cause accidents because they take the driver’s attention off the road, which can cause them to veer into incoming traffic.

Another leading cause of head-on accidents is drunk driving. Intoxication greatly impairs a driver’s ability to see, think, and drive. Intoxicated drivers are also more likely to end up going the wrong direction on a traffic road, which might lead to a head-on crash.

One common traffic violation that leads to head-on crashes is improper passing. Too often, drivers will get frustrated on one lane roads when a leading driver is going “too slow”. When that happens, the motorist might attempt to illegally pass on a double yellow line. Typically, a double yellow line means that it isn’t safe to do a passing maneuver. When a driver attempts this, they can get into a head on crash with drivers who are going in the other direction in their proper lane.

Injuries

Head-on crashes are often considered one of the most dangerous and deadly types of accidents to be involved in since the front end of both cars absorbs the full force of the accident. This means drivers are in a very vulnerable position. Some of the most commonly reported injuries from head-on accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Fractures, sprains, and strains
• Back injuries and spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Scarring or deformities
• Burns
• Blunt force trauma
• Internal injuries

Some injuries from these accidents are fatal. If you believe someone else might be at fault for your loved one’s fatal head-on collision, then you could have the basis to pursue a wrongful death case.

What To Do After a Head-On Collision in Atlanta?

It’s a good idea to get informed on the first thing to do after a wreck to ensure that you make good decisions after a crash. Unfortunately, the steps you take after a collision can make or break a future claim, and other parties might take advantage of you if you’re not sure how to handle the situation. Below, we’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Ensure Safety and Call Emergency Services

Immediately after the accident, you need to check yourself and any passengers for any serious injuries. You’ll need to assess your entire situation quickly, analyzing injuries and considering your vehicle’s location in the road. If there is a lot of traffic, then you may need to move to the side of the road to stay safe. Otherwise, try to leave your car where it is so pictures can be taken of the scene.

Next, call 911 if there are any serious injuries, your accident was on a very busy street, or you believe others may be in danger without police directing traffic.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

While you wait on the police to arrive, you’ll want to check on the other driver. First, make sure that they are okay. If their injuries aren’t that serious, then you should exchange contact information with each other while you wait for the police. These details could become important later.

Document the Scene

Next, start documenting the scene. You can start compiling evidence right away by taking photographs of the accident, taking pictures of any injuries, asking any nearby witnesses to stay at the scene to provide a statement to police, and looking for any nearby cameras. Sometimes, other drivers have caught the accident on a dash cam. At other times, you may be able to utilize a nearby business’s surveillance camera.

Seek Medical Attention

Next, you need to seek medical attention for your injuries. Serious injuries may need to be treated at the scene, or you may need to get taken to a nearby hospital. If neither of those is the case, then you should still seek out medical care as soon as possible. The longer you delay care, the more likely you are to derail your potential claim for compensation. What’s more, you could wind up making your injuries worse without timely treatment.

Contact a Head-On Attorney Immediately

If you’re starting to realize that your losses are adding up, then it’s time to contact a head-on collision attorney immediately. The right lawyer will provide you with solid legal advice that you can lean on while helping you go over your legal options and rights. After hearing the facts surrounding your case, your lawyer will help you determine if you have the basis to seek out a legal claim for compensation. If you do, then your attorney can help with every step of the process from investigating the accident scene to representing you in court if your case makes it to trial.

Notify Your Insurance Company

At some point, you will need to notify your insurance company about what happened. You’ll want to do this in a timely manner, but you also don’t want to make a statement to the insurance adjuster that derails your claim. That said, it’s usually best to talk to a lawyer first before you contact your insurance company. If you take this step on your own, then do your best to simply inform them about what happened without providing details about your injuries, losses, or fault. Let them know that you will get back in touch with them when you know more about the extent of your losses.

How is Fault Determined in a Head-On Car Crash?

In an Atlanta head-on crash, fault will be determined based on a thorough review of the evidence and facts surrounding the crash. Sometimes fault is obvious. If one of the drivers wasn’t in the proper lane, then they’re usually considered to be at-fault. Similarly if one of the drivers was intoxicated, on their cellphone, speeding, or otherwise driving recklessly, then they’ll be considered at fault. At times, an investigation is conducted to determine who was at fault and the argument goes all the way to court. The more evidence you can collect to prove fault, the easier time you’ll have throughout your claim.

Proving Liability in a Head-On Collision

Proving liability in a head-on collision means proving fault in Atlanta. Atlanta courtrooms assign liability to the at-fault party. This can get complicated when multiple people are potentially at fault, though. In these situations, the injured party can collect compensation unless they were more than 50% at fault.

What Compensation You Should Expect After a Head on Collision in Atlanta

After an accident in Atlanta that’s someone else’s fault, you should be able to collect compensation that’s equal to the value of your losses. Your losses could come in the form of economic or non-economic losses. In rare cases, you can receive punitive damages, but this doesn’t happen all that often.

Economic

Economic losses are the actual financial losses you experienced. These losses can include things like your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and other financial expenses you’ve needed to cover due to the crash.

Non-Economic

Non-economic damages describe the losses you’ve experienced that are difficult to put a monetary value on. For instance, if you now struggle with anxiety due to the crash or you have permanent disfigurement that impacts your self-esteem, then you can recover compensation for those losses in the form of non-economic damages.

Punitive

Punitive damages are a special type of financial award that isn’t meant to compensate you for your losses. Instead, they are awarded to individuals when the other party has been extremely reckless or negligent. These damages are intended to financially harm and deter the other party from acting similarly in the future.

When You Should Consult an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

In general, you should contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer when you’ve been involved in an accident, you believe the accident was caused by someone else, and your losses are adding up.

How a Head-On Car Collision Attorney Can Help

An Atlanta Head-on car collision lawyer can help you go over all your options and rights after a crash. They can inform you about the best possible course of action based on your specific circumstances. If you do have the basis to file a claim, then your attorney will help you compile evidence, build up your claim, and fight for the best possible settlement.

Ready to Consult a Lawyer? We’ll Guide You Every Step of the Way

Are you ready to get in touch with an Atlanta Head-on car collision lawyer? Here at Singleton Law Firm, our team of attorneys understands how challenging it is to face financial losses after a crash. In these economically trying times, it’s hard enough to get by without the additional burden of being injured, missing time off of work, and facing a lengthy recovery. That’s why we’ll work with you on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to pay us until you get paid.