A head-on collision carries significant consequences for a passenger or a driver. You might be entitled to compensation if someone else’s reckless or careless behavior led to a head-on accident, you might be entitled to compensation. Texas laws protect victims who were harmed due to someone else’s actions. Victims may have costly medical bills and a long road to recovery after a head-on crash.
The Houston car accident attorneys at Haun Mena are your advocates for just and fair compensation after a head-on collision.
Causes of Head-on Car Accidents
A head-on collision happens when two vehicles traveling toward each other strike one another. Head-on collisions can also involve a single vehicle striking another object, such as a tree, guardrail, or telephone pole.
Although head-on collisions make up a smaller portion of car accidents than rear-end collisions and other types of wrecks, head-on collisions come with significant consequences.
Many people recovering from a head-on collision may have lifelong disabilities and permanent pain. Some of the most common causes of head-on collisions include:
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Drowsy driving
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Impaired driving
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Driver distractions
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Driver fatigue
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Taking sharp turns too quickly
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Unsafe passing
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Speeding
Too many accidents are caused by another driver who is not sharing the road with care. In a serious head-on crash, a driver or passenger struck by another driver may be critically injured.
Risk of Injury and Death in Head-on Crashes
In 2021, 613 people were killed in head-on accidents in Texas. Head-on collisions often cause catastrophic and severe injuries such as internal organ bleeding and damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputation, internal bleeding, bone fractures, and neck injuries.
Many of these come with significant medical costs and long-term recovery periods. Many victims in head-on collision accidents will never fully recover from their injuries.
Sometimes, medical conditions caused by a head-on crash may not cause symptoms right away. For example, whiplash, caused by the sudden forward and backward movement of the car, may not cause head, neck, or shoulder pain until hours later or even days later.
Those victims who can show that another party was responsible for the head-on collision may be able to recover compensation with the help of a knowledgeable Houston head-on collision attorney.
How Much is a Head-on Collision Settlement Worth?
Numerous factors will influence the overall value of a head-on collision compensation claim. Every case is different, and your Houston head-on collision lawyers will work with you to understand the evidence in your lawsuit and the likely compensation that may apply.
For most victims, the damages associated with a head-on accident goes far beyond medical bills, especially if you have been diagnosed with a temporary or permanent disability that makes it difficult or impossible for you to go back to work. Some of the most common damages claimed in head-on car accidents include:
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Pain and suffering, and inconvenience
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Past and future medical expenses
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Reduced earning potential
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Emotional distress
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Actual cash value of the vehicle if it was totaled
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Property damage expenses to repair the vehicle
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Current and future loss of income
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Out of pocket expenses
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Diminished quality of life
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Damages related to living with a physical disfigurement or permanent disability
These bills can stack up and cause stress for all family members after someone is hit head-on. Keeping track of these bills can help a victim pursue compensation in court.
What if my loved one was killed in a head-on collision?
If your loved one was killed in a preventable head-on collision in Texas, you may be eligible to open a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death action allows for additional recovery of compensation, including:
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Loss of consortium for the surviving spouse
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The cost of burial or cremation services
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Medical debts passed on to a spouse or other family members
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Loss of inheritance if other individuals had to cover expenses related to the accident
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Loss of parental guidance for surviving children
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Loss of financial support if the loved one contributed to the family’s earnings
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
It is in your best interest to take timely action to hire a car accident lawyer in Houston. The laws in Texas prohibit you from filing a lawsuit two years beyond the date of the accident.
This timeline is shortened if your accident involved a government vehicle or government employee. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to talk to an attorney sooner rather than later.
How a Lawyer Can Help with a Head-On Collision Claim
When you hire a head-on collision attorney to help you after a Texas accident, you can expect that your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the head-on collision. This includes interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and looking at other evidence from the scene.
Your lawyer may also speak with insurance and adjusters or hire outside accident reconstruction experts to better understand how the accident occurred. Filing your lawsuit, communicating with you about settlement options, and aggressively pursuing your case in court are additional steps your Houston head-on collision lawyer will take to protect your best interests.
Many people who have been critically injured in an accident are unable to deal with the short- and long-term consequences of getting hurt in a crash like this. Protect your legal right to recover compensation.
Contact the team at Haun Mena if you need assistance holding another driver accountable for their actions.