According to the Insurance Information Institute, 4,295—or about 10.9 percent—of automobile accidents in 2021 were head-on collisions. A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles strike one another directly from the front while going in opposite directions. When vehicles travel at low speeds, collisions may not cause more serious injuries than any other automobile accident. 

At 50 mph or faster, however, the force of the collision is substantial. While the hoods of the vehicles will crumple, absorbing some of the crash force, head-on collisions at higher speeds often result in severe, even catastrophic injuries or death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on collision, you may be dealing with traumatic injuries, physical and mental pain, and lost wages. Having a strong St. Louis head-on collision attorney in your corner can make all the difference in the outcome of your head-on collision.  

Why Choose a St. Louis Head-On Collision Attorney from Finney Injury Law?

Following a head-on collision that has left you injured, perhaps unable to work, and facing an insurance company that has no interest in your well-being or your future, your life can feel overwhelming. You need an experienced legal advocate who will work hard to secure the best settlement possible on your behalf. While money will not change what happened to you, it can help you get your future back. When you receive a full settlement that covers all your damages, you can get the medical treatments you need, pay your normal monthly bills until you can return to work, and receive compensation for your physical and mental pain and trauma. 

If you are unsure of what you need to do, now is the time to speak to a knowledgeable St. Louis head-on collision attorney from Finney Injury Law. When you are watching your medical bills continue to mount, and you are unable to work and make a living, you are entitled to compensation from the negligent party. At Finney Injury Law, we know how insurance companies treat victims of another’s negligence. The insurance company will go out of its way to pay you the least amount possible, perhaps even offering you a quick, low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. 

An experienced St. Louis head-on collision attorney from Finney Injury Law has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. We can negotiate the best settlement on your behalf by insisting that the insurance company take your injuries seriously. Our firm has earned a stellar reputation thanks to our painstaking preparation of each case and dedication to every client. Choosing an attorney is the most important step you can take following a car accident. Attorneys Chris Finney and Alex Ledbetter have the knowledge and skills necessary to help you through this difficult time. As highly skilled negotiators and aggressive, experienced litigators, we have you covered from beginning to end.  

How Do Head-On Collisions Usually Happen?

There are many different factors involved in head-on collisions. While your head-on collision will be unique, with its own set of facts and circumstances, some of the most common causes of head-on collision accidents include:

  • Distracted driving is not only a cause of head-on collisions but also a primary cause of all auto accidents. Drivers who text, talk on their cell phones, turn around to check on children and pets, fiddle with car controls, or set their GPS can easily cross into the opposing lane, striking another driver head-on. 
  • Improper passing, when a driver crosses a double yellow line to pass or otherwise passes in an unsafe manner, causes a significant number of head-on crashes, especially on two-lane, rural roads. 
  • Poorly designed streets and inadequate signage can contribute to head-on collisions. 
  • Overly fatigued drivers may nod off at the wheel or close their eyes for a few seconds, during which they can drift into the other lane. 
  • Reckless driving can include exceeding the speed limit and can contribute to head-on collisions, causing them to be deadlier. 
  • Impaired driving is often the cause of head-on collisions, as impaired drivers can behave unsafely, veering into the opposing lane. 
  • Confusion can cause a driver to enter a one-way street the wrong way, resulting in a head-on collision.  

What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Head-On Collision?

The severity of your injuries following a head-on collision is caused by the fact that the vehicles involved are moving toward one another at their combined speeds. This results in a significant impact force on all those inside the vehicles. The resulting injuries may include:

  • Neck and back injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Limb amputations
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Blunt force trauma
  • Disfiguring lacerations to the face
  • Burns
  • Scarring

These injuries can be catastrophic, changing lives forever and resulting in long-term medical care and rehabilitative therapies. 

What Types of Damages Are Available Following a Head-On Collision?

One driver is usually more responsible—or totally responsible—for the head-on collision.  In rare cases, those responsible for designing the road or maintenance crews who neglect the existing roadways could be held responsible for the head-on collision. If one of the drivers caused the head-on collision, their insurance will be responsible for paying damages to the other driver. These damages may include:

  • Economic damages are those that have a specific dollar amount attached. Economic damages are easy to quantify and include all medical expenses related to the accident, both current and future. Ambulance costs, physician expenses, hospital costs, surgical expenses, the cost of prescription medications, and any necessary rehabilitative therapies are covered under economic damages. Lost wages are fully covered, as well as future lost wages. Future lost wages are dependent on the victim’s age, education, years at their current job, ability to train for and perform another job, and how many more years the individual could reasonably be expected to work. 
  • Non-economic damages are not as easy to quantify. Pain and suffering are included in non-economic damages, whether for actual physical pain or for emotional pain and trauma. Pain and suffering damages are not as easy to prove as they are very subjective. It can be difficult to accurately assess how another’s physical and emotional pain affects their day-to-day life.

Missouri is one of about a dozen states that operate under pure comparative negligence. This means each party’s liability for damage is based on their percentage of fault. Pure comparative negligence allows injured parties to recover damages, even when they are largely at fault for the accident. If a plaintiff is injured in a head-on collision and a court finds that person is entitled to $500,000 in damages, if the plaintiff was 20 percent responsible for the accident, they would only receive $400,00. 

Why Should You Hire a St. Louis Head-On Collision Attorney from Finney Injury Law?

If you are facing an accident with injuries caused by a negligent driver, it is time to contact Finney Injury Law to help you achieve the best outcome possible. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Finney Injury Law can assist you or a loved one injured in an accident. Contact our firm today to take advantage of your free, no-obligation consultation. We are here for you when you need it most.