Call an Atlanta head-on collision accident lawyer if you were injured in a car accident. Head-on collisions are some of the worst accidents that happen in Atlanta. But remember, you have legal rights. A head-on collision lawyer can help you understand the legal situation and build a claim for compensatory damages.
Filing a legal claim for a head-on collision accident is not a straightforward process. Each state has different transit and personal injury laws, and determining fault can be like solving a puzzle. However, an experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta can answer your questions and help you navigate the legal maze.
How an Atlanta Head-On Collisions Lawyer Can Help You
Most accident victims have never had to experience the legal process before. If you’re not sure where to start with your case, you’re not alone. Most of our clients have questions about what to do first after a car crash. We make it easy by handling your case for you. However, we’ll also explain what you can expect from the process.
You can be as hands-on as you’d like. Most clients are thankful to have a professional working on their case while they focus on healing. An Atlanta personal injury lawyer will keep you up-to-date on how your case is going. If you have questions along the way, we’re always happy to help.
Gathering Evidence for Your Head-On Collision Case
There are many steps before you can file an injury claim. You’ll need to gather information from the accident. Your case will also need to prove who was at fault and how they caused your damages.
Personal injury claims also involve a lot of paperwork, which can be confusing. Our Atlanta head-on collision lawyers will handle all of this for you. We’ll gather evidence like:
- A copy of the police report
- Proof of your damages
- Pictures from the scene
- Copies of medical records
- Witness statements
While we work on your case, you can spend time getting better and being with loved ones. We’ll gather everything necessary to file a claim with the insurance company.
Handling the Other Party’s Insurance Company
You’ll need to file your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In Georgia, the at-fault party is responsible for the accident damages (Georgia Code Section 51-1-6). If the driver has insurance, it should cover your damages.
You will not receive compensation automatically. You’ll need to file a personal injury claim with the insurance company. Then, the insurer must respond to your claim.
Insurance companies often respond with lowball settlement offers. They hope that victims will accept the first offer and move on. But if you have an experienced head-on collision lawyer, they can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair offer. Insurance companies are more likely to send a better offer if they see you have an attorney.
Why Head-On Collisions Happen in Atlanta
Head-on crashes are terrible for everyone involved. If you’re the victim, the other driver seems to come out of nowhere. You might not even know they’re driving the wrong way until it’s too late.
There are many possible reasons for head-on collisions, including:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Excessive speeding
- Poor visibility
- Poorly-maintained roads
- Vehicle malfunctions
- Poorly-marked roads
- Sharp curves on the road
The majority of head-on accidents in Atlanta happen on two-way roads without dividers. They also often occur on rural roads. The at-fault driver might drift into the other lane and not realize it’s a two-way roadway. Most of the time, the at-fault driver was negligent in some way. Your Atlanta head-on collision lawyer can help you prove how the driver’s actions led to your accident.
Common Head-On Accident Injuries in Atlanta
The outcome of head-on collisions is often more serious than other accidents. Since both cars are traveling towards each other, the impact is much worse. Many victims suffer severe, deadly, or disabling injuries.
Here are some examples of injuries we see from head-on accident cases. If you suffered severe injuries, don’t wait to get medical attention. Call an ambulance or see a doctor immediately.
Bone Fractures
Head-on accidents often cause broken bones. Someone might suffer fractures in body areas like:
- Hands or feet
- Arms or legs
- Ribcage
- Spine
- Neck
- Collar bone
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The most well-known traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a concussion. Head-on collisions can cause a lot of trauma to the brain. The driver might hit their head-on the car’s interior or heavy projectiles within the vehicle.
TBIs frequently have symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Vomiting or nausea
- Anxiety or depression
- Poor concentration
Some TBIs last for days, while others can last a lifetime.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The force of a head-on accident often causes spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord damage can lead to:
- Paralysis
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Reduced sexual function
- Tingling or loss of sensation
- And more
Severe accident injuries affect how someone lives, works, and exists in the world. If you suffered these types of injuries from your accident, reach out to a head-on collision lawyer in Atlanta immediately.
Loss of Limbs
Victims of head-on collisions can also experience loss of limbs in the wreckage. This type of injury refers to the severing or loss of function of a body part. The following injuries may qualify for a loss of limbs claim:
- Functional or physical loss of the hand or arm
- Functional or physical loss of the foot or leg
- Functional or physical loss of fingers or toes
- Partial or total loss of vision or hearing
Unlike the majority of other injuries, losing a limb is permanent and can have a significant impact on the survivor’s way of life. It might become difficult or even impossible to conduct some of the daily chores and tasks at work. Your head-on collision attorney can help you file a claim for loss of limbs after an accident in Atlanta.
Atlanta Head-on Collision Lawyer FAQ
What Makes a Head-On Collision Different From Other Accidents?
The reason head-on collisions are serious is that the vehicles involved are moving, often at highway speeds, and slam to an immediate stop. In many kinds of accidents, one car hits another and then both cars move, somewhat cushioning the blow. But in a head-on collision, each vehicle is exerting force on the other, so when impact happens, there’s no “give.” A head-on collision is the equivalent of running into a cement wall.
Who Is Considered to Be “At Fault” in a Head-On Collision in Atlanta?
Two vehicles shouldn’t be going in opposite directions at the same time in a single lane of traffic. Someone always has the right of way, and this means that in most cases, the driver who was in the lane improperly was at fault. There are many reasons a driver might cross the line into opposing traffic:
- The driver did not realize he or she was going the wrong way
- The driver crossed the center line because of distracted or drunk driving
- The driver was passing another vehicle
- The driver was speeding around a curve
- The driver fell asleep at the wheel
There are even cases where a driver deliberately drives on the wrong side of a highway with malicious intent.
How Much Money Can I Collect?
Some of the common costs that victims recover in head-on crashes include:
- Medical expenses such as doctors, hospitals, surgery, and tests
- Prescription medication
- The costs of physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Lost wages to make up for time missed from work
- Damages for wrongful death if you lost a loved one in the accident
Because of the severity of most head-on collisions, victims are often eligible for much larger financial awards. Basically, the total cost is taken and multiplied by a number to reflect serious losses.
The Insurance Company Already Offered Me Money. How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
The money they offer you right after your accident is part of their strategy to make a profit. They hope you’ll take the quick cash and sign away your right to potentially recover even more money later.
But when you get that first offer from the insurance company, you haven’t had a chance to find out whether the money they’re offering will really be enough to pay for all your costs. A car accident lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia can help you evaluate the offer from the insurance company and decide what to do after a crash.
How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Head-On Collision Claim?
Most of the time, if you didn’t cause the accident, you have a valid claim. The best way to find out if your claim is valid is to schedule a consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. A good law firm will investigate your accident, build a case in your favor, and use that information to negotiate a fair amount from insurance companies or pursue your case in court.
What Happens When You Are Sued After a Car Crash?
If you were involved in a collision, you might wonder what happens when someone sues you after a car accident. As long as you are insured, the insurance company should handle the car crash claim. However, you may need to step in to offer proof that sustains your version of the events. Having an attorney on your side throughout this process is crucial.
Talk to an Atlanta Head-On Collisions Lawyer for Free Today
If another driver caused your head-on collision, they are legally liable. You should not have to bear the costs of someone else’s negligence. It’s our goal to get you the full compensation you deserve. And with over 20 years of experience, we know what it takes to win cases.
We can help you build a strong injury claim and handle the insurance companies. If necessary, we’re prepared to take your case to court. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta head-on collision accident lawyer at no cost.
