Head-on car crashes are often some of the most severe traffic accidents. They can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries.

These collisions happen when the front ends of two or more cars collide. They routinely occur when one vehicle crosses a median or line into oncoming traffic or makes a wrong turn onto a one-way street. It may be because the driver is fatigued, distracted, or intoxicated, among other reasons.

At Martin & Jones, each Raleigh head-on collision lawyer at our firm is dedicated to helping people injured in head-on and other crashes. We understand the stress and uncertainty that often comes with being injured in a crash, both for the person injured and his or her family. We work relentlessly to get our clients the full compensation available under the law.

What Is a Head-On Collision?

Head-on or “full-frontal” (as they are often called) collisions typically involve two vehicles traveling directly toward each other and striking at the front end. They also include single-car collisions in which a vehicle strikes a tree, utility pole, or other stationary object.

These accidents tend to be severe because of the intense force of the impact. Drivers and front-seat passengers often hit their heads on a steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield when two cars collide head-on. The collisions can result in one or more people being ejected from the vehicle, leading to additional injuries when they hit other objects or the ground.

Head-on collisions are among the deadliest types of crashes. They are responsible for about 14 percent of all traffic accident deaths nationwide each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

When people involved in head-on collisions survive the crashes, they often suffer catastrophic injuries. These are significant, lasting injuries that may never fully heal and leave debilitating effects that may never go away.

Common Injuries in Head-On Crashes

A variety of injuries can occur in head-on traffic accidents, ranging from relatively minor to extreme. Our Raleigh head-on collision lawyers commonly see cases involving the following injuries:

• Fractured, broken or crushed bones
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Damage to internal organs
• Head and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Death

The faster the cars are moving at the time of the collision, the more likely the crash is to be fatal. Drivers and passengers involved in head-on accidents while traveling at a speed of 70 miles per hour have a less than 25% chance of surviving, according to the National Safety Council.

Even collisions at lower speeds can cause serious injuries. They may initially seem less severe than they actually are in the immediate aftermath of a crash. It is crucial that anyone involved in a head-on or other accident seek medical attention.

How Head-On Accidents Happen

Head-on crashes can happen in a number of different scenarios and be caused by a variety of factors. The most common causes of crashes in cases our head-on collision lawyer handles include:

• Driving under the influence: Driving while impaired slows reaction time, allows drivers to be easily distracted, and increases the risk of an accident for everyone on the road.
• Distracted driving: Whether a driver is texting behind the wheel, looking at a video screen, or messing with a Bluetooth connection, distraction is a common cause of accidents.
• Fatigued driving: Tired driving dulls awareness behind the wheel and slows reaction time. It can lead to driver mistakes that have serious consequences.
• Confusion: Driving the wrong way on the road or misunderstanding traffic flow is an easy way to cause a crash.
• Inclement weather: Weather like rain and ice can make it hard to see traffic and road signs and difficult to control vehicles.

Drivers in North Carolina and across the country are legally required to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. That means complying with traffic rules, being aware at all times, and refraining from driving while intoxicated or fatigued. A driver who does not live up to this responsibility is considered negligent and likely to be liable for any accidents that happen as a result.

Compensation for Car Accident Injuries

The range of injuries stemming from head-on accidents can stay with people for the rest of their lives. In some cases, they may no longer be able to work and require in-home assistance or adaptations to their homes for day-to-day living purposes.

A person injured in a crash can seek compensation from those responsible. A Raleigh head-on collision lawyer at our firm can help you identify the people and entities liable for the accident and maximize your compensation. We have a successful track record of taking on insurance companies on behalf of the people and families that we represent.

The money damages typically available for car accident claims include compensation for medical bills, missed wages, and any reduction in your earning capacity as a result of the injuries. Additional compensation may also be awarded for pain, suffering, emotional anguish, as well as loss of enjoyment of life.

In the tragic situation in which a person dies in a head-on collision, his or her loved ones can seek similar compensation for wrongful death with the help of our auto accident attorneys. There is no amount of money that can ever replace a loved one or allow you to go back in time and stop a crash from happening. Compensation can, however, ease some of the financial strain that often comes with losing a family member.

Our Head-On Collision Lawyers Can Help

If you have been injured in a head-on accident or other type of crash, the Raleigh personal injury trial lawyers at Martin & Jones offer compassionate, results-driven representation. There are time limits for filing a car accident lawsuit in North Carolina, so please contact our offices right away for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Our lawyers can be reached online or by phone at 1-800-662-1234. We have offices in Raleigh, Durham, and Wilmington and serve clients throughout the state.