Head-on collisions are some of the deadliest car accidents recorded annually in Texas. This type of motor vehicle accident is often catastrophic, meaning it inflicts serious or life-changing injuries on victims. If you get involved in a head-on collision in Austin, you may need assistance from an Austin car accident lawyer to guide you through the recovery process.
What Is a Head-On Collision?
A head-on collision is a motor vehicle accident where two cars crash into each other from their front ends. It is a direct collision between two cars that were traveling in opposite directions on the same road. Head-on collisions can occur when one driver is in the wrong place at the wrong time, such as someone who crosses over the centerline of a road and enters oncoming traffic.
Injuries From Head-On Collisions Are Often Serious
Head-on collisions are particularly dangerous because they occur at the combined speeds of both vehicles. If one driver is traveling at 65 miles per hour (mph) and the other is traveling at 75 mph, for example, a head-on collision between the two cars would occur at 140 mph.
Common injuries from head-on collisions include:
- Severe bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and permanent paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Lacerations and scarring
- Losses of limbs
Sadly, many victims die from the injuries they sustain in head-on collisions. The National Safety Council stated that almost 30 percent of all fatal car accidents in the U.S. in 2022 were head-on collisions, accounting for a total of 5,800 deaths.
If you have lost a loved one due to such an accident, an Austin wrongful death attorney can provide the legal support needed to seek justice and compensation for your loss.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions
Negligence is often behind head-on collisions in Texas. If a driver is negligent, it means he or she did not use the correct amount of care while operating a motor vehicle. A negligent, careless or reckless driver could cause a head-on collision by breaking various traffic laws.
Examples include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe passing
- Wrong-way driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Running a red light
Other common reasons for cars to enter the opposite lane besides driver error include bad weather, poor visibility and mechanical failure.
Who Is Liable for a Head-On Collision in Texas?
Texas is a fault-based car insurance state. This means that when a car accident occurs, injured victims have the right to pursue damages, or financial compensation, from the insurance provider of the at-fault party.
To collect compensation, you or your attorney will have to prove that someone else is at fault for your head-on collision. The evidence available to support a car accident case often includes a police report, eyewitness statements, and accident reconstruction.
Hiring an attorney to represent you can make it easier to prove your head-on collision case. Your lawyer can investigate the accident, speak to witnesses, gather evidence, and hire experts, as necessary, to strengthen your claim.
When to Contact an Attorney After a Head-On Collision in Austin
A head-on collision in Austin can result in debilitating injuries, immense pain and suffering, and expensive medical bills. If you wish to obtain the financial compensation that you deserve for this serious type of car accident, you may need to hire an attorney to represent you.
Our experienced attorneys at FVF Law Firm – Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers handle a variety of cases including those involving truck accidents and construction accidents. As an Austin truck accident attorney and Austin construction accident lawyer, we are committed to helping victims educate you on your legal rights and options.
An Austin personal injury attorney can get to work right away to pursue the financial justice you need to become whole again after your crash. At FVF Law Firm – Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers, we have more than 100 years of combined experience. Call (512) 982-9328 or contact us online to request a free case review.