Virginia Beach Head-On Collision Lawyers

There are few if any, car accidents that are more devastating and destructive than head-on collisions. While head-on collisions are far less common than other types of car accidents, they are extremely dangerous and often cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities due to the extreme force of impact involved in the crash. The only thing that makes a head-on collision even more tragic is that they are often caused by some type of driver negligence, which means that the accident could have been prevented if the at-fault driver had obeyed the rules of the road and avoided unsafe driving behaviors.

If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury in a head-on collision, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The Virginia Beach head-on collision lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC will assist you with this process and ensure that your legal and financial rights are protected.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Head-On Collisions?

Head-on collisions often occur when a motorist swerves over the centerline of a road and enters the lane of oncoming traffic or enters an onramp going in the wrong direction. As a result, the front ends of two vehicles that are traveling in opposite directions crash into each other, often at a high speed. The powerful force of the collision often causes extensive damage to the front end of both vehicles. If the occupants of both vehicles are fortunate enough to survive the crash, it is highly likely that they will suffer extensive, potentially life-threatening injuries. The following are some of the most common causes of head-on collisions:

Distracted Driving: Motorists are much more likely to swerve into oncoming traffic if they are distracted by a phone call, a text message, or anything else that takes their attention away from the road.
Impaired Driving: Motorists who are driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to drift into oncoming traffic, or drive down a one-way street or onramp. Drugs and alcohol can affect judgment, coordination, and the ability to react quickly to a hazardous situation.
Drowsy Driving: Extreme fatigue can cause motorists to experience symptoms similar to drunk driving, causing them to swerve into oncoming traffic. In extreme cases, motorists may fall asleep at the wheel, which can have devastating consequences.
Reckless Driving: Tailgating, weaving in and out of lanes, illegal passing, and disregarding traffic signals can lead to head-on collisions.
Speeding: In addition to being a traffic violation, speeding makes it much more difficult for motorists to slow down or stop in time to avoid hitting an oncoming vehicle, particularly on windy roads or when road conditions are hazardous.

What Are Common Injuries Caused by Head-On Collisions?

Victims of head-on collisions rarely walk away from the accident with only minor injuries. Due to the extreme force of impact involved in head-on collisions, the resulting injuries are often severe and catastrophic. In many cases, they cause tragic fatalities. Those who are fortunate enough to survive a head-on collision often suffer catastrophic injuries, including the following:

Severe cuts and lacerations
Broken bones
Neck injuries
Soft tissue injuries
Spinal cord damage
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Loss of limb
Internal organ damage
Burn injuries
Severe scarring or disfigurement

How Is Fault Determined in a Head-On Collision?

Oftentimes, head-on collisions occur suddenly and without much warning at all. In the chaos and devastation following the accident, proving fault can be a complicated process, particularly when one or both motorists are severely injured and unable to describe the moments immediately leading up to the accident. In order to have a successful personal injury claim and recover the damages you are entitled to, you will need to prove that the other driver caused the accident. In some cases, it may be necessary to employ a forensic engineer or an accident reconstructionist who can determine who is at fault based on skid marks, road conditions, and other factors. Proving liability will involve establishing the following elements of negligence:

The other driver owed you a duty of care to obey the rules of the road and take reasonable steps to prevent an accident.
They breached this duty by engaging in negligent driving behavior.
The breach of duty directly caused the accident.
You suffered significant damages as a result of the accident

If you are physically able to do so, it is crucial that you call 911 as soon as possible to report the accident and notify dispatch that there are serious injuries so they can send an ambulance to the accident scene. The responding police officer will interview all parties involved in the accident, including any witnesses who saw the crash happen. Skid marks on the road can show whether the driver tried to stop before the collision. Other information that can help determine fault includes phone records that may prove that the driver was talking or texting at the time of the accident, a breathalyzer test that can prove that a motorist was driving while impaired, and statements from witnesses who saw the other motorist driving recklessly in the moments before the accident.

Compensation for a Head-On Collision

If you suffered a severe injury in a head-on collision, you will need immediate and often ongoing medical care, depending on the severity of the injury. The costs associated with this care will start to accumulate very quickly. A successful personal injury claim will ensure that you recover the maximum damages you are entitled to, including the following:

All medical expenses associated with your injuries
Future medical costs
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Loss of a limb
Disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life

It is important to keep in mind that Virginia is a contributory negligence state, which means that the other motorist must be 100 percent at fault for causing the accident in order to recover damages. If you are found to be even one percent at fault, you will be prohibited from collecting any financial compensation for your injuries. Virginia is one of only four states that still use contributory negligence.

What if I Lost a Loved One in a Head-On Collision?

Unfortunately, head-on collisions often cause tragic fatalities, particularly when one or both vehicles were traveling at a high speed at the time of the crash. If your loved one suffered fatal injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the motorist who caused the accident.

While a successful outcome will not bring your loved one back, it will provide financial compensation for things like funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, loss of services and support, pain and suffering, and other out-of-pocket costs. The dedicated and compassionate head-on collision lawyers at Achor Legal Group, PLLC will assist you with this process and help you pursue the maximum financial compensation you and your family deserve.