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A head-on collision is traumatic and often the most dangerous because it can result in severe injuries due to the impact of two cars striking each other. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that fatal accidents increased significantly in the last decade from 2,400 to 3,707. Last year in Polk County, 9,111 people were injured in crashes, with 155 fatalities. If you were hurt in a head-on collision with a negligent driver, you deserve to recover compensation for your damages and losses.
A Lakeland car accident attorney at Kogan & DiSalvo can help you fight for your rights. We are prepared to leverage our extensive knowledge, real-world experience, and dedication to seek justice on your behalf. Let our team advocate for you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are happy to answer your questions and assess your case.
Understanding the severity of head-on collisions
There is no question that a head-on crash can result in severe harm. Head-on collisions usually involve two vehicles traveling in opposite directions. Often, these accidents occur when one driver veers across the center line and strikes an oncoming driver. These cars traveling at high speeds in opposite directions can generate tremendous force when they collide.
Some of the injuries that are common with a head on collision in Lakeland include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Severe burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
The unfortunate reality is that some of these injuries could prove fatal. If your loved one lost their life in a head-on collision, you could have a viable wrongful death claim.
Causes of head-on collisions in Lakeland
Several factors combine to cause a head-on crash, and each one demonstrates the type of negligence that could result in a viable personal injury claim.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents. Motorists who take their eyes or attention away from the road to read a text, adjust the GPS, or reach for something in the car are far more likely to cause a crash.
Impaired driving
Like distracted drivers, drunk drivers are also likely to cause accidents because they do not possess the necessary reaction time to avoid dangerous situations. Drunk drivers also frequently exhibit poor judgment, such as driving too fast during a rainstorm, which increases the chances of an accident.
Speeding or reckless driving
Traveling at high speeds is another contributing factor to head on collisions. These drivers are likelier to lose control of their vehicles. For example, when a driver takes a turn at high speed and skids off of the roadway, they can over-compensate when they attempt to return to their lane. As a result, they often overcorrect and cause a head-on accident with oncoming traffic.
Steps to take after a head-on collision
The steps you take after a head on collision can impact not only your health but the success of your claim and include the following:
- Seek medical care. Seek medical treatment by calling 911 or going to an emergency room. It’s essential to ensure that you have not sustained serious injuries with delayed onset symptoms, e.g., concussions or soft tissue injuries. It also creates crucial documentation of your injuries that may play a key role in your case.
- Do not discuss your case. You should never talk to the other driver about the accident. While you are required to exchange details like your insurance information, it is never in your best interest to discuss the circumstances of the crash. In addition, it is wise to stay off social media. What you post may be used against you by the defendant’s legal team.
- Collect evidence. Collect evidence of the scene, including photographs and witness contact information if your health allows it.
- Contact a lawyer. You should call a lawyer as soon as possible after a head-on accident.
Contact Kogan & DiSalvo for a free consultation
There is often significant fallout for accident victims as they must not only confront the pain and suffering from an accident but also take on the economic challenges as well. At Kogan & DiSalvo, we are ready to help you pursue justice following your head on collision. Call a Lakeland head on collision lawyer with our firm today for a free consultation. There is no obligation to hire us, and since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees.
