Car accidents can be traumatic experiences no matter what the facts and circumstances surrounding the event are. Nevertheless, some of the scariest and most catastrophic car accidents are those involving a head-on collision. When the front of a car strikes the front of an approaching vehicle, the safety of both drivers and their passengers is in serious jeopardy. Some of the most severe injuries and fatalities have been caused by head-on car crashes. If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a head-on collision, call the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676 to receive an honest assessment of your claim for damages.
Injuries Caused by Head-On Collisions
Every car accident is different, and depending on the speed at which the vehicles struck each other as well as the type of vehicles the drivers were in will determine what kind of injuries parties will suffer from. It is not uncommon for drivers and occupants to suffer from traumatic injuries in a head on collision due to high speeds and velocity. Some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of head-on crashes include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Airbag injuries
- Dental damage
- Factures
- Bruising and scarring
- Burns
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Death
Injuries that are sustained from this type of car accident can keep people out of work for weeks, months, or in some cases, permanently. Some people will require long term rehabilitation and specialized medical care after being a victim of a head-on collision. Even with insurance, medical bills are expensive and can add up very quickly. Combining that with lost earnings makes for a very stressful situation. Consulting with an experienced Miami personal injury attorney is an important step in being proactive and working toward financial recovery so that you can properly heal from your accident.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
Sometimes for a head-on collision to occur, all it takes is a driver taking their focus off the road for half a second. Many times, head-on crashes happen so fast that the drivers and passengers don’t know what hit them. A few of the most common factors that can cause a head-on collision to occur are:
- Driver fatigue
- Distraction
- Impairment due to alcohol or illegal substances
- Inclement weather conditions
- Unfamiliarity with the area
- Dangerous roadways
- Objects in the road
How to Avoid a Head-On Collision
Although head-on collisions typically occur quickly, there are a few ways to avoid this type of crash. A few tips that can help you avoid being a victim of a head-on car accident are:
- This should be an obvious one: Pay attention to the road. Driver inattention is one of the biggest causes of head-on collisions and motor vehicle accidents in general.
- Avoid driving too close to the centerline, especially on a road with curves.
- If the collision is unavoidable, do your best to slowly reduce your speed. Braking too quickly will cause your car to skid, but reducing your speed at a steady pace can potentially reduce the amount of damages caused by the crash.
- Steer to the right of the oncoming vehicle.
- If necessary, drive off the road.
Filing a Claim for Negligence
If your injury is serious enough, you may be able to collect compensation beyond what your personal injury protection insurance (PIP) offers. Typically, in this type of accident, a victim will file a claim for negligence in order to collect damages. There are 4 essential elements that must be shown to succeed on a negligence cause of action. These elements are:
- The defendant owed a legal duty of care to the victim;
- The defendant breached the legal duty of care that was owed;
- The defendant’s breach was the cause of the victim’s injuries; and
- The victim suffered damages.
The State of Florida has a 4 year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means that a victim has 4 years from the date of the accident to file a negligence claim to collect damages. Florida also has a 2 year statute of limitations for wrongful death causes of action. Thus, a victim’s loved ones have 2 years from the date of the victims death to file a claim in court.
Miami Head-On Collision Lawyer
If you or someone you love have sustained injuries from a head-on collision accident, you may be entitled to damages. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA provides legal services to victims of this type of horrific accident. Retaining an experienced Miami car accident attorney is a critical step to receiving the recovery that you deserve. Call the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked today at (305) 694-2676 today to speak to a Miami head-on collision lawyer you can trust.