A head-on collision occurs when a driver crosses the center dividing line and strikes another vehicle squarely or nearly squarely front bumper-to-bumper. Some of the most common reasons this happens are that the driver could have been trying to pass another vehicle or was driving negligently and moving into a lane with vehicles coming from the opposite side. While these motor vehicle accidents account for a small share of the total accidents, they have the most severe consequences.
Even though these collisions are relatively rare, accounting for only about 2% of all overall traffic collisions, they are much more likely to result in severe injuries and catastrophic damage. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that nearly 20% of fatal accidents are caused by head-on collisions. When two vehicles traveling towards each other at high speed collide, the force of both vehicles is multiplied, resulting in victims suffering severe and often life-threatening injuries.
Compared to other types of accidents, there is much more force acting upon the occupants of both vehicles during a head-on collision. Even at low speeds, victims of head-on collisions suffer from injuries such as whiplash, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). If you or a loved one was involved in a head-on collision, it is crucial to understand what to do after experiencing one.
Head On Collision Car Accident Lawyer 888-987-0005
Seeking the advice of an experienced car accident lawyer who knows how to protect your rights and will fight tirelessly to win the settlement you deserve is essential after a head-on crash. At Miller Weisbrod Olesky, our car accident law firm has a history of successful results in car accidents. We can offer you the sound advice and the concerted legal action you need to pursue financial justice.
Our car accident legal team is led by Clay Miller Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. To obtain this Board Certification, lawyers must not only represent injury victims but prove in the courtroom that they can try cases to a jury verdict and then pass a rigorous examination proving they are experts in the field of personal injury trial law.
Our client was hit head-on by a Water Transport Truck working in the Barnett Shale region of Texas. Her vascular system was badly damaged and over the course of a month her lower leg’s blood flow was so compromised that serious gangrene set in leading to an amputation.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a head-on crash, our experienced car accident lawyers at Miller Weisbrod Olesky know how to protect your rights and are here to support you every step of the way as you seek a fair recovery for your losses. When we take your car accident case, we commit to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensuring you receive the maximum compensation possible for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
This is my first time needing a law firm and I can’t think of anyone better, they were extremely courteous, and determined to get me exactly what I am owed. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me they really do care when it comes to their clients!
Ryan
Miller Weisbrod Olesky Client
What Is a Head-on Collision?
In a head-on accident, two vehicles, usually going in opposite directions, strike each other directly from the front. A head-on collision car accident can also occur when a vehicle collides directly into a stationary object, such as a road barrier, tree, or telephone pole.
Because head-on collisions produce a substantial amount of force when the front end of two vehicles traveling toward each other crashes, these accidents are among the most dangerous on the roadway. In many cases, head-on crashes can be deadly and even cause serious, if not permanent, injuries. If you were involved in a head-on collision, you should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Head-on Collisions in Texas
Head-on crashes typically occur when a negligent driver leaves their own lane by crossing the center stripe and moving illegally into the oncoming traffic lane. Regardless of whether they are high-speed or low-impact, head-on collisions can cause serious, life-altering injuries. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible following a head-on accident is strongly advised.
Many factors contribute to head-on car accidents, with some of the most common being:
Distracted driving: A driver looking down at their phone cannot properly pay attention to the road and may drift across the center line and strike other drivers or objects head-on. Other distracted driving practices a motorist may engage in include talking on the phone, looking at GPS, or adjusting the radio.
Driving under the influence: When a driver gets behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it can cause them to drive unsafely. For instance, driving while intoxicated may cause the motorist to go the wrong way down a one-way street and run into traffic flowing in the opposite direction.
Bad weather conditions: Severe weather conditions like rainfall or heavy fog can affect roadway visibility. When drivers do not slow down despite reduced visibility, they increase their risk of being involved in a head-on crash.
Fatigue: A drowsy driver who closes their eyes or falls asleep behind the wheel could lose control and drift into oncoming traffic without realizing it.
Improperly passing another vehicle: When a driver misjudges the time they have to safely pass on a two-lane road or pass illegally in a no-pass zone, this may result in a collision with an approaching vehicle.
Speeding: Speeding drivers typically operate their vehicles in an unsafe manner, and the faster a vehicle travels, the more damage will result from an accident.
Poorly designed roads or inadequate signage are additional causes of a head-on collision. The injuries that result from head-on collisions are often devastating, requiring extensive and costly medical treatment. For this reason, having a skilled car accident attorney in your corner is vital to get the justice you deserve.
How Often Do Head-on Crashes Happen?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), head-on collisions lead to more fatalities every year than any other type of car accident. Although these accidents only account for 2% of car accidents in the United States, they account for 10% of crash-related deaths in the nation.
Statistics collected by the Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) bring out the following facts:
75% of all head-on collisions occur on rural roads.
Head-on collisions happen most frequently on two-lane roads.
4.2% of the 7,000 head-on collisions on two-lane roads were caused by improper passing.
Failure to negotiate a curve on the road caused 23 % of fatal head-on collisions.
Many victims involved in head-on collision accidents will sustain severe injuries that come with significant medical costs and long recovery periods. Those victims may be able to recover compensation for their injuries and losses by showing that another party was responsible for the accident.
Top Causes of Head-On Collisions
Regardless of how safely you drive, you can't prevent other drivers from behaving carelessly or driving distracted. Head-on car accidents are almost always caused by driver negligence. If you've been involved in a head-on collision, a skilled auto accident attorney can assist in holding the negligent driver accountable for their actions and make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Fatigued driving (i.e., drivers fall asleep at the wheel or skid outside their lanes)
Road rage
Failing to slow down or stop
Aggressive passing
Tailgating
Driving the wrong way down a one-way street
Crossing the centerline
Taking a sharp turn or turning too fast
Loss of control over the vehicle
Lane weaving
Running red lights and street racing
Poor road or weather conditions (i.e., excessive potholes, missing road signs, and slippery roadways)
Failing to slow down the car
Drivers who are focused on text messages, phone calls, or other distractions could cause them to veer off the road and into oncoming traffic. Additionally, a person's ability to stay in their lane and wander into oncoming traffic may be affected by excessive speeding. When a person decides to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it can significantly influence their ability to drive safely.
Drivers who are drunk or high have trouble staying in their lane and may go the wrong way down a highway exit ramp and run into oncoming traffic. An experienced car accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance and help navigate the complexities of head-on collision cases by thoroughly investigating all aspects of the accident, analyzing evidence such as traffic reports, and working with experts to assess how any contributing factors played a role in the crash.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Caused by Head-on Collisions?
In head-on collisions, the front end of the car gets crushed, resulting in debilitating injuries requiring hospitalization, surgery, and physical therapy. In many cases, the force of a head-on collision can be so great that it results in fatalities. Texas DMV statistics show that head-on collisions led to the deaths of 635 people in 2023.
Common injuries sustained as a result of head-on car accidents
A crush injury occurs when two heavy objects compress or squeeze a body part. For example, the leg of the victim may get trapped under a heavy object or be squeezed between two heavy objects. The consequences could be devastating and may even cause loss of the limb. This type of injury may damage the muscles, obstruct, or completely stop blood flow to an organ, and may even cause tissue death.
Some common symptoms of crush injuries include heavy bleeding, bone fractures, bruising, and loss of consciousness. These injuries are common in head-on car crashes, and the vehicles involved in such an accident are often completely damaged. Additionally, in many cases, the passengers inside the car suffer severe injuries.
For the vehicles involved, head-on crashes are extremely dangerous, and both drivers are likely to sustain injuries and extensive damage to their vehicles. If you were involved in a head-on accident, seeking prompt medical care could mean the difference between a moderate injury, a severe injury, and death. Furthermore, getting checked out by a medical professional is in your best interest not only because it will help you recover quickly but also because it could help you prove your position in a settlement case.
Damages Available to Head-on Car Accident Victims in Texas
When another driver is responsible for a head-on collision accident, they must be held accountable for their negligent or reckless actions. Numerous factors will influence the overall value of a head-on collision compensation claim.
A head-on crash injury typically results in more damages than medical bills. For example, suppose the victim of a head-on collision suffers from a temporary or permanent disability caused by the accident that makes returning to work impossible. In that case, they may be entitled to more damages.
Most common damage claims in head-on collision accidents:
After someone is injured in a head-on car accident, these bills can stack up, causing stress for all family members. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the insurance company to try to minimize what they think your claim is worth. Keeping track of these bills and consulting with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer who will take the time and use a detailed approach to build a successful claim is in your best interest.
What Do I Do After a Head-on Collision?
When one driver causes injuries to another in a head-on car accident, the victim may hold the at-fault driver responsible through a personal injury case. Hiring a head on collision car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident who can prove your case and fight for the maximum settlement possible can help safeguard your financial future.
Head on car accidents are often terrifying, and you might feel uncertain about what to do in the aftermath of the crash. Even if you have seemingly minor injuries, you should seek prompt medical treatment after a head-on collision.
Steps you should take after a head-on collision:
Minimizing the Potential Devastation of a Head-on Accident
While many crashes seemingly come out of nowhere, there are some situations where you may have time to react to a wrong-way driver. Decelerating as much as possible if you see a wrong-way driver heading your way is one way to reduce the potential severity of these types of accidents. You can also veer onto the shoulder if there happens to be a wrong-way driver in your lane.
If you have time to assess your surroundings, consider choosing your crash location. Sideswiping a stationary object like a tree or barrier will surely cause less damage than colliding with a wrong-way driver. Even if you follow these tips, however, they are not full proof, and despite your best efforts, there are situations where a catastrophic crash is unavoidable. If you were injured in a head-on crash, you should turn to a car accident attorney to discuss the details of your case and determine the most strategic way to proceed.
Call 911
The most pressing concern after a head-on collision should be your health and safety. Immediately after a head-on collision, you should move to a safe location, call 911, and request emergency care if you are injured. If you do not require medical attention, stay at the scene until police officers arrive and give them an accurate recollection of the events. Obtaining a copy of the police report can serve as a critical piece of evidence when pursuing a personal injury claim.
Prioritize Your Health
During this challenging time, the most important thing to do after a head-on crash is to take care of your own health. Seeking a medical evaluation after a car accident can play a pivotal role in your case and overall well-being. Some injuries like whiplash may not reveal themselves immediately after a crash, and visiting with your physician enables early detection and treatment of potential injuries while also preventing them from escalating into something more serious.
Do Not Give Any Information to the Other Party’s Insurance
After the accident, the insurance company will want to resolve your case as quickly as possible and may attempt to contact you shortly after the accident to offer a settlement. You should avoid giving information to the insurance company without first speaking with a qualified car accident attorney. Furthermore, you should certainly not accept any settlement they offer before consulting with a head-on car accident attorney. A personal injury lawyer can help you project the long-term costs and consequences of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Texas Car Accident Cases
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you have two years from the date of the collision to file your case. The deadline shifts to two years from the date of the victim's death if you are filing a wrongful death action. Failure to file s lawsuit by its statutory deadline could risk your ability to file altogether. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can ensure you meet all deadlines and build a strong case on your behalf.
How a Head-On Crash Car Accident Lawyer Can Help with Your Case
If you were recently involved in a head-on collision, you should not have to take on the legal claims process or insurance company alone. Ideally, you should contact a car accident lawyer, specializing in head-on collisions, who can investigate the accident, collect evidence, and manage any important legal documents and deadlines. At Miller Weisbrod Olesky, our Texas car accident lawyers can help you recover the compensation needed to rebuild your life and put this accident behind you. We strive to protect the rights of victims of negligent driving and focus our efforts on aggressively seeking the maximum compensation possible for our clients. Learn more about how we can help by calling 888-987-0005 or filling out our online request form.
Meet The Leader In Car Accident Litigation With A Record Of Multi-Million Dollar Settlements And Verdicts
With a 30-year history heading the Car Accident Department of Miller Weisbrod Olesky, firm partner Clay Miller has a proven record of holding negligent parties accountable and achieving multi-million dollar settlements and court verdicts for his clients. Clay has been consistently listed in Super Lawyers as one of the Best Lawyers in Texas, published in Texas Monthly, for over 15 years.
Clay is regularly invited to speak to Trial Lawyer Groups around Houston and across the state of Texas on the topics of motor vehicle accident laws, trial tactics and techniques, and how to prepare evidence and a winning legal strategy in Car Accident Cases throughout Texas. Clay was the featured speaker for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association on the new changes to trucking laws passed by the state of Texas.
Our car accident legal team includes Josh Birmingham, who is currently on the Dallas Trial Lawyers Board of Directors and served as the president of the Mesquite Bar Association for four years. Josh was named Thomson Reuters | Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2016 and 2017.
We also have on our team Michael Orth, a board certified personal injury trial lawyer who has spent the last decade representing injured Texans and their families. Michael’s success in scores of personal injury cases across federal and state courtrooms has earned him the coveted Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Clay is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Clay has practiced solely in the field of catastrophic injury and wrongful death since graduating from law school. His practice has been limited to the representation of victims. Over the past twenty-four years, Clay has successfully settled or tried to verdict cases in the areas of vehicular negligence, medical malpractice, construction site accidents, workplace injury, premises liability, and commercial trucking and a nationwide business loss case (suits filed in a dozen different states) involving defective truck engines sold to trucking companies.
Clay represented dozens of trucking companies in lost profit and diminished value claims against Caterpillar in 2010 through 2012. These cases were filed in over a dozen states with the bellwhether trial set in Federal Court in Davenport, Iowa. After intense litigation and trial preparation, a global confidential settlement was reached for all the clients.
Clay's most recent 2017 victories are a $30,800,000 jury verdict in Tennessee arising from fraud claims in the sale of heavy-duty truck engines and a $26,500,000jury verdict in a construction accident, obtained within 60 days of each other.
Clay was raised in Lewisville, Texas and completed his undergraduate degree in Finance at Texas A & M University. Following graduation from Southern Methodist University School of law, Clay worked for two Dallas firms representing victims. In 1998, Clay began his own practice before forming his current partnership. In addition to his law practice, Clay has lectured at seminars and published in the areas of construction accidents, jury selection techniques, medical negligence, trucking accidents and settlement tactics.
Josh Birmingham was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico and raised in the small oil town of Hobbs, New Mexico. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 2004 where he was a part of the Big 12 champion baseball team and was a College World Series participant.
He obtained his law degree from the University of Tulsa: College of Law in 2007 where he earned numerous awards in Mock Trial and Negotiation competitions.
Josh began his career at another prominent law firm where he fought for the victims of other’s negligence.
After 9 years Josh left being a trial lawyer and became an executive for a healthcare consulting firm but his passion for helping others in the law quickly pulled him back. Josh has tried numerous cases in both state and federal court. Josh began his first day with Miller Weisbrod Olesky in trial with Clay Miller representing an injured construction worker, Fernando Canales. Josh second chaired the trial and handled all of the medical expert testimony in the case.
Josh is a member of the State Bar of Texas, American Association of Justice, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, and Dallas Association of Young Lawyers. He is currently on the Dallas Trial Lawyers Board of Directors and served as the president of the Mesquite Bar Association for four years. Josh was named Thomson Reuters | Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2016 and 2017.
Josh accredits his passion toward helping others to his mother Pam Parkinson, a nurse and business woman, and his father Ray Birmingham a college baseball coach.
Michael is a board certified personal injury trial lawyer who has spent the last decade representing injured Texans and their families. Born and raised in Dallas, Michael attended Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Following graduation, Michael worked in sales for one of the largest trucking companies in the United States. While working in the trucking industry, Michael saw the dangers that can and do occur when companies put profits before safety, and safety is not provided its proper place at the table. It was at this point Michael decided to pursue a career in law to help those harmed by the negligence of others.
Michael attended the University of Houston Law Center, where he served as a Senior Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of International Law. Throughout law school, Michael clerked at one of the 5 law firms that represented the State of Texas against Big Tobacco, where he worked on cases ranging from catastrophic crane collapses, to sexual abuse cases to environmental class action lawsuits. Most importantly, Michael learned the law could be used to do a lot of good in peoples’ lives, and could help those who had been injured because of the carelessness of others.
After obtaining his law license, Michael moved to South Padre Island and practiced personal injury law in the Rio Grande Valley. While practicing in South Texas, Michael tried nearly 20 cases in federal and state courtrooms across South Texas, consistently obtaining verdicts significantly higher than the insurance companies’ offers. As a result of his success in the courtroom, Michael is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a designation earned by practicing personal injury law almost exclusively, showing substantial success and experience trying personal injury lawsuits, completing extensive Continuing Legal Education in personal injury trial law, and passing a rigorous written exam demonstrating superior competence in handling personal injury cases.
Michael is married to Katlyn and has 2 young daughters, Kathleen and Mary Louise. Michael volunteers for the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, providing pro bono legal services to others in the community.
