Were You Injured in a Head-on Collision?
Not only can head-on collisions be terrifying but they can also be deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),1 head-on crashes account for seven percent of traffic-related fatalities in cities and for 13 percent of fatalities in rural areas. While many victims may survive a head-on collision, they often sustain severe injuries that can completely disrupt their lives.
If you have been injured in a head-on crash and believe the other driver was at fault, you have important legal rights and should discuss your options with our car accident lawyers as soon as possible. There are many possible causes of head-on collisions and determining exactly what caused yours is imperative to recovering from the negligent party or parties. Some of the parties that may be held liable for your head-on collision can include:
Other drivers – Driver negligence is a leading cause of head-on crashes. For example, drivers who are illegally under the influence of alcohol2 commonly make the mistake of driving the wrong way in a traffic lane, which can easily cause a head-on collision. In addition, drivers who are distracted or who fall asleep at the wheel due to fatigue can depart from their intended lane and cross over into oncoming traffic. Drivers can further make dangerous lane changes that cause another vehicle to swerve across a yellow line into the path of traffic.
Auto manufacturers – Sometimes, drivers can lose control of their vehicles through no fault of their own. This can occur if a defective tire suddenly blows out of if another part of a vehicle unexpectedly malfunctions. If an auto part was inherently defective, the manufacturer may be held liable for any accident-related losses.
Government entities – Road hazards such as potholes can also cause a driver to lose control and leave their lane. In such cases, you may be able to bring a claim against the government entity that should have repaired the road hazard. Cases against the government can be complex, however, so you should never delay in contacting an attorney in this situation.