If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on car accident, the experienced car accident lawyers at Hughes & Coleman can help you obtain the compensation you deserve from the insurance company and the at-fault party.
Our team can help establish liability, determine the value of your claim, and help you get the medical treatment you need during this difficult time. We believe that negligent drivers should be held responsible and accountable. Let our team handle your personal injury claim so that you can focus on getting better.
Call us today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 and can help answer any questions you may have regarding your claim.
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A head-on collision is a type of traffic accident that occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions on a road crash into each other with the front ends of the vehicles directly colliding. These collisions are typically the most severe and dangerous types of accidents because of the combined speed and force of the two vehicles involved.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, frontal impacts and head-on collisions have accounted for 59% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2021. To put this in context, side impact collisions accounted for 22% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths, less than half of head-on collisions, 9.4% of sideswipe crashes were fatal, and although rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident, 8.3% of these crashes are fatal, less than any other type of wreck.
Additionally, Kentucky head-on car accidents accounted for roughly 3% of all collisions involving two vehicles, but they were the cause of 35% of fatal collisions.
This demonstrates that head-on collisions are not common, but when they do happen, they often result in catastrophic injuries, or in many cases, death of those involved.
If you were involved in a head-on collision and are suffering from serious injuries, it is crucial to hire an experienced head-on collision lawyer to help you navigate a personal injury lawsuit so that you can recover all the compensation possible for any treatment you will require for long-term or permanent injuries that you have sustained.
In this video, Attorney and Founding Partner, Lee Coleman discusses what to know and do if you’ve been injured in a head on collision accident, and how an experienced injury lawyer can help.
The scene of a head-on collision can often be traumatizing and difficult to navigate. Head-on collisions will often leave vehicles completely destroyed or damaged beyond repair. It is not uncommon for airbags to be deployed, parts of the vehicles to be scattered throughout the area, shattered glass, and injured victims in need of immediate medical care.
Call 911: The first thing that should be prioritized is the safety of yourself and your passengers by dialing 911. In a head-on collision accident, medical treatment is often required at the scene of the accident by an EMT or other trained individuals, who can help prevent any further injuries from taking place. Trained medical professionals understand how to move victims in a way that reduces the chance of causing spinal cord injuries or additional damage to internal injuries. For those who may come across the aftermath of a head-on collision, it is important not to move the victims unless it is absolutely necessary. Wait for paramedics to arrive.
Keep calm and still: Following any type of car accident, it is important to remain calm. In a head-on collision, this is especially important. There may be injuries that you are unaware of due to shock and adrenaline, and moving in any way can make these injuries worse. If there are no witnesses at the scene, you will need to call 911, but do so cautiously and without too much movement. If you are a witness at the scene, call 911 and try to keep the victims calm while letting them know that help is on the way.
Document the scene: In head-on collisions, the victims may not be able to document the accident scene themselves. If this is the case, police often take photos to document the condition of the vehicles involved, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible damage or debris. These photographs help create an accurate record of the accident.
Contact your insurance company: As soon as possible, contact your insurance company and inform them about the crash. On this call, you will not be speaking with the adjuster, but it is still important to be careful about what you say. Never admit fault or say that you are not injured. Only provide them with the facts of the crash.
Contact a head-on collisions lawyer: This step is crucial. Because head-on collisions often result in serious injuries, you need an experienced injury law firm on your side to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive every dollar you’re entitled to from the insurance company. An experienced head-on collision attorney can take on all communications with the insurance company, obtain the police report on your behalf, investigate the scene, and take every possible step to prove negligence so that you can recover every dollar possible. If you were a passenger injured in the crash, a personal injury attorney can also help ensure your rights are protected.
One driver crossing the center line and driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic can be caused by a number of factors.
Distracted driving is a significant contributor to head-on collisions. According to the United States Department of Transportation, distracted driving claimed 3,522 lives in 2021 alone. Distracted driving can result from using a cell phone, texting, adjusting the radio, eating, or engaging in any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the road.
Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to maintain control of their vehicle, increasing the risk of head-on collisions. Recently, Kentucky has increased its stance against drunk driving by enacting Melanie’s Law, which enables a judge to order financial support for the children of a DUI victim in cases where the DUI led to the disability or death of a parent or guardian. Tennessee also introduced Ethan’s, Hailey’s, and Bentley’s Law in 2023, which does the same.
Fatigue: Fatigued or drowsy drivers may drift into oncoming traffic lanes, particularly on highways or long, monotonous roads. Falling asleep at the wheel can commonly cause a driver to veer into the other lane.
Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the time a driver has to react to unexpected situations, such as another vehicle suddenly entering their lane, and increases the severity of head-on collisions.
Reckless Overtaking: Drivers attempting to overtake or pass slower vehicles on two-lane roads may misjudge the distance or speed of oncoming traffic, leading to head-on collisions during the passing maneuver.
Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road: In some cases, drivers accidentally enter the wrong lane due to confusion, distraction, or impairment.
Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, fog, ice, or snow can reduce visibility and road traction, making it more challenging to maintain control and stay in the correct lane.
Car accident victims deserve maximum compensation following a head-on wreck. At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we hold insurance companies and the at-fault driver responsible for negligence. When you work with our firm, you can expect compassion, years of experience dealing with head-on car accidents, and a team of attorneys who will fight on your behalf throughout the duration of your claim.
100% free consultation
When you contact our firm, you have the opportunity to speak with our legal team to understand if you are entitled to an injury claim, the best possible next steps you can take, and how the car accident attorneys at our firm can help. There is no risk and no obligation to discuss your claim and learn about your legal rights.
Never pay out of pocket
When you’ve been injured in a head-on crash, the last thing you should have to worry about is attorney fees. That is why our injury firm works on a contingency fee basis, which simply means that if we don’t recover fair compensation on your behalf, we don’t get paid. You never have to pay out-of-pocket – ever.
We get you the medical care you need
After head-on collisions, victims often require ongoing medical care and physical therapy. We have the resources to help you receive the care you need, schedule your appointments, and do everything possible to put you on the path to recovery.
Award-winning and respected injury law firm
Our car accident attorneys have been awarded throughout Kentucky and Tennessee for our commitment to helping accident victims who are in need of skilled legal representation. We fight the insurance company for every dollar our clients are entitled to, even if that means going to trial.
Over $1 billion recovered for our clients in Kentucky and Tennessee
Recovering over a billion dollars doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of experience and represents the successes our clients have received from trusting us with their cases.
In legal terms, “damages” refer to the monetary compensation awarded to a party in a civil lawsuit as a remedy for harm, loss, or injury suffered due to the wrongful actions of a negligent driver. Damages are a way to provide a legal remedy for the injured party and are designed to compensate them for their losses.
On one hand, there are damages that can be measured by specific dollar amounts and are fairly straightforward to calculate. There will likely be a receipt, invoice, or some other documentation behind them. In legal terms, these are referred to as economic damages, which simply means that they impacted you economically.
Damages that are not as easy to calculate are commonly referred to as non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are the kinds of losses that are harder to put a price on because they’re not about the money you’ve spent or the income you’ve lost. Instead, they’re about the emotional and personal toll of an injury.
When seeking damages due to someone else’s negligence, it is important to have an experienced car accident attorney who is skilled in dealing with motor vehicle accidents that result in severe injuries. A car accident case, especially when serious injuries are involved, can become very complex and requires a law firm with the resources to help you recover all available damages in your claim.
In many cases, insurance companies will offer settlements that are unfair and that do not take all damages into account. When this happens, our attorneys fight to ensure that car accident victims receive every dollar that they’re entitled to.
$207,800 head-on car accident settlement – initial offer from the insurance company: $100,000
$500,000 car accident settlement – initial offer from the insurance company: $272,000
$205.000 car accident trial court ruling – initial offer from the insurance company: $0
As you can see, insurance companies will rarely offer what a car accident victim deserves, and insurance companies will use a number of tactics to pay as little as possible. This is why it is important to have an experienced front-end collision lawyer on your side. An experienced attorney from our firm will know how much your case is worth and will fight for that amount.
The value of a head-on collision settlement can vary significantly depending on a wide range of factors, including the specific circumstances of the accident, the extent of injuries and damages, and the insurance policies of the parties involved. There is no fixed or standard amount for head-on collision settlements, as each case is unique.
Severity of Injuries: The extent and severity of injuries sustained by the involved parties are a primary factor in determining the settlement amount. More severe injuries typically lead to larger settlements.
Liability: Determining who is at fault in head-on crashes is crucial. If one party is clearly at fault, their insurance company may be responsible for covering the damages. If the fault is shared or disputed, it can affect the settlement amount.
Insurance Coverage: The insurance policies of the parties involved can impact the settlement amount. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy limits can set a cap on how much can be recovered. In some cases, underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage may come into play.
Economic Damages: Economic damages include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and future earning capacity. The total of economic damages are a significant component of a settlement.
Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages refer to pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and other intangible losses. These can be more challenging to quantify but are an important part of the settlement.
Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault driver’s actions were particularly egregious or reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter future wrongdoing.
Legal Representation: The quality and experience of legal representation can also influence the outcome. A skilled personal injury attorney may negotiate a larger settlement or take the case to court if necessary.
State Laws: Laws and regulations regarding personal injury and liability differ from one state to another, which can affect the settlement process and potential outcomes.
Head-on collisions can result in a wide range of physical injuries, and the severity of these injuries often depends on factors such as the speed of the vehicles involved, the use of safety features, such as seat belts, and the health and age of the occupants. Common injuries may include:
Traumatic brain injuries: TBIs and concussions are head injuries that can occur when the head strikes the windshield, steering wheel, or airbag. These injuries can range from mild to severe, with potential long-term consequences.
Airbag Injuries: Airbags deploy with force to protect occupants but can cause injuries, including burns, abrasions, and, in some cases, fractures, especially to smaller occupants or those positioned too close to the airbag.
Whiplash: This is a soft tissue injury to the neck that occurs when the head is forcefully jerked forward and backward, often due to the impact. Whiplash can result in neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Fractures: Head-on collisions can cause broken bones, especially in the extremities, ribs, and the collarbone. More severe fractures can occur as well, such as those in the pelvis or spine.
Chest Injuries: Injuries to the chest can include broken ribs, contusions, or damage to internal organs like the lungs or heart.
Abdominal Injuries: The impact from a serious accident can lead to injuries in the abdominal area, including damage to internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
Spinal Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, or reduced mobility. In severe cases, these injuries can be life-altering.
Facial Injuries: Facial injuries can include cuts, bruises, and fractures of the facial bones, especially when the airbag deploys.
Soft Tissue Injuries: These injuries can involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They may not be immediately apparent but can lead to chronic pain and discomfort.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma: The emotional impact from car accidents can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Internal Injuries: Injuries to internal organs may not always be immediately visible but can lead to serious complications if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Burns: If the collision results in a fire or explosion, burns can be a significant injury with varying degrees of severity.
Wrongful death after a head-on collision refers to a situation in which an individual dies as a result of injuries sustained in a head-on car accident, and it is determined that the accident was caused by the negligent or wrongful actions of another party. In this context, “wrongful” means that the death was preventable and resulted from the negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior of someone else.
In a head-on collision case that results in a fatality, the surviving family members may file a wrongful death suit where a wrongful death attorney can help recover damages.
Determining fault is a legal and often complex process, and it may involve investigations, witness statements, police reports, and sometimes expert witness testimony. Insurance companies, law enforcement, and the legal system play key roles in assessing and assigning fault in front-end collisions. In some cases, fault may be shared between multiple parties involved in the accident. It’s crucial to consult with an attorney to understand the legal implications and your rights in a head-on collision where fault is disputed or unclear. The percentage of fault that is assigned to you can significantly impact how much compensation you can seek in a personal injury claim. An experienced attorney can help reduce your percentage of fault to maximize your financial recovery.
Many jurisdictions use a comparative fault or comparative negligence system if multiple drivers are at fault. Under this system, each driver involved in the accident can be assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions or negligence that contributed to the collision. The total liability for damages is then divided among the responsible parties based on their assigned percentages of fault.
Tennessee uses a modified comparative negligence rule. After a share of fault has been determined, the amount of damages that victims are entitled to is limited to the amount of fault assigned to the other driver. In Tennessee, it is important also to be aware of the “50 percent bar” rule, which means that if a driver is 50 percent or more at fault, they will be unable to recover any compensation for their damages.
Similar to Tennessee, Kentucky uses a pure comparative negligence law, which allows victims to seek compensation for the percentage they were not at fault. The main difference between the Kentucky pure comparative negligence law and Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule is that there is no “50 percent bar” rule in Kentucky. This means that you can technically be up to 99% at fault in a Kentucky head-on collision and still seek compensation.
In Kentucky and Tennessee, victims have one year to file a personal injury claim. If the victim fails to file before this deadline, they will lose their right to seek compensation from the at-fault party or the insurance company. This is commonly referred to as the statute of limitations and hiring an experienced attorney can help ensure that you meet all of the required deadlines so that you are able to pursue your claim.
"Hughes & Coleman have really been great in helping me recover from my car wreck. I am very happy with what they have done."
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"I had a very positive experience working with Hughes & Coleman. Communications were clear and response to questions were answered quickly. Everyone we talked to was friendly and understanding. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing with an injury claim!"
We serve victims of head-on collisions throughout Kentucky and Tennessee.
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