Head-on Collisions

Head-On Collision Statistics

According to the Federal Highway Administration, head-on collisions account for 14% of U.S. traffic fatalities. It is the most deadly type of accident in the country. 85% of these accidents occurred on divided roads, 70% were in high-speed zones, 65% were in rural areas, and 31% were on curved roads.

Types of Injuries in Head-on Cases

Because head-on collisions involve the cumulative speed of both vehicles, the injuries tend to be much more severe than rear-end collisions or angle accidents. For example, if two cars are moving at 50 mph toward each other, if neither vehicle brakes, the relative speed at impact is 100 mph. The following injuries are common in head-on collisions:

• Broken bones
• Internal Injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain damage (TBIs)
• Severed limbs
• Burns
• Lung punctures
• Paralysis
• Death

Head-on collisions can be extremely unpredictable. Frequently, one or both vehicles overturn or drivers are thrown clear of the collision. That means that they may sustain secondary injuries after the initial impact. In other cases, the victims are trapped inside their vehicles. Additionally, vehicles may leak gasoline, which means that there is a fire hazard. If you witness a head-on collision, contact first responders immediately. There may only be minutes available to save lives.

Damages in Head-On Accidents

Florida law identifies three types of damages in personal injury cases:

Economic Damages

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you will incur various types of medical expenses, such as doctor bills, the cost of medication and medical equipment, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more. In addition, you may miss time from work. Your vehicle will either be totaled or you will have expensive repairs. These direct financial costs from accidents are all economic damages. There is no cap on economic damages in Florida; that means whatever costs you incur are compensable.

Non-Economic Damages

The costs of an accident don’t end with financial expenses. Non-economic damages are often referred to as “pain and suffering” because they attempt to compensate the plaintiff for their physical pain, emotional trauma, loss of life quality, and more. Like economic damages, there are no caps on non-economic damages in Florida.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for dangerous or egregious behavior. For instance, if a driver was so drunk they entered the exit on I-95, drove in the wrong direction, and caused a head-on collision with another vehicle, the court might award punitive damages. Punitive damages are not automatic, and in Florida, there is a cap. Plaintiffs can only receive up to $500,000 or three times the amount of compensable damages, whichever is greater.

Steps to Take After a Head-On Collision

It’s important to recognize that head-on collisions are unique. The other party may be unconscious, trapped in their vehicle, or dead. This is not meant to be considered legal advice. For free legal advice, contact attorney Senft in Florida.

• Assess the Situation – Determine whether it’s safe to remain in your car or if you need to get away from it. Do not move injured parties unless it’s necessary to save them from a dangerous situation, like a fire or oncoming vehicles.
• Call 911 – Don’t assume someone else has called first responders. Try to give your exact location, the types of injuries, vehicle descriptions, and anything else they ask.
• Talk to Witnesses – Ask them to remain with you or get their contact information.
• Take Pictures – From a safe location, document the scene with your phone’s camera. You’ll want to include geographic indicators, vehicles, visible injuries, and the conditions of the roadway.
• Allow Yourself to Be Transported – There’s very little chance you haven’t sustained an injury. Let the EMTs examine you and transport you to the hospital. Even if you don’t feel injured, follow up with your doctor at your earliest convenience.
• Don’t Accept an Initial Settlement – An adjuster may contact you within a few hours of the accident with a settlement offer. The problem is that you don’t know the severity of your injuries or your long-term prognosis. However, if you accept the settlement, you cannot pursue further damages. Speak to a car accident lawyer before accepting an insurance settlement.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

If you hire attorney Scott J. Senft, he can perform the following services:

• Review all settlement offers from the insurance company
• Collect police reports and medical records
• Subpoena and depose all witnesses, including the defendant
• Write letters of protection for doctors to defer payments
• Present a demand letter to the insurer for full compensation
• Negotiate with the insurance company
• Retain expert witnesses for your case
• Pursue compensation through civil litigation

As a personal injury lawyer, attorney Senft will represent you on a contingency basis. That means that he only receives compensation if he wins.

Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a head-on collision in South Florida, contact the Law Offices of Attorney Scott J. Senft for immediate contingency-based representation.