A head-on collision is one of the most dangerous types of car crashes, as those involved are at much higher risk for severe or even fatal injuries.

If you were in the car that got hit and you suffered serious injuries, you may be eligible to seek compensation. TSR Injury Law’s Minneapolis-based car crash lawyers have represented many people who were seriously injured in collisions and obtained favorable results on their behalf. Our services are provided on contingency, which means we do not charge any upfront costs.

Below, we discuss why head-on collisions occur, why they are so dangerous, and how we determine liability for these types of crashes.

Contact TSR to discuss your post-crash legal options. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

What Is the Definition of a Head-On Collision?

A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles that are traveling in opposite directions crash into each other. The front of one vehicle crashes into the front of another, which is why head-on collisions are also referred to as frontal collisions.

While there is a high risk of serious injury in any head-on crash, the risk is magnified when one of the vehicles involved is larger than another, or when one of the vehicles is a motorcycle.

Why Do Head-On Collisions Happen?

Head-on collisions often happen because a driver:

• Crossed the centerline of the road. When this occurs, it is often because the driver was drowsy, fell asleep, was impaired by alcohol or became distracted. Drivers might also lose control of their vehicles due to black ice or other poor weather conditions. Any of these conditions could cause them to drift over the centerline.
• Failed to see, read or follow instructions on road signs. This might happen if someone has impaired vision or is elderly and gets easily confused.
• Tried to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road using the wrong side of the road
• Went the wrong way on a one-way street
• Attempted to turn left without enough room, resulting in a head-on crash with a car traveling in the opposite direction
• Lost control because of a tire blowout
• Suffered a sudden medical emergency, such as a heart attack, stroke or seizure

Liability For a Head-On Collision in Minnesota

Most car crashes are caused by the negligent actions of one of the drivers involved. For example, it is both negligent and illegal to drive on the wrong side of the road or to drive the wrong way down a one-way street.

The driver who was negligent is going to be held liable for injuries and damages from the crash. In the context of a head-on collision, the driver who was traveling the wrong way is almost always going to be liable for the crash.

However, sometimes head-on collisions are part of a chain reaction from another crash. For example, maybe there was a crash on the other side of the road that caused another vehicle to cross the center line and get into a frontal collision with another vehicle.

In this scenario, the driver who crossed the center line might be partially at fault. However, he or she may have lost control through no fault of his or her own. That means drivers involved in the crash that started the chain reaction may bear most of the fault.

Could Someone Besides a Driver Be Held Liable For a Head-On Crash?

It may be possible to file a claim against the entity responsible for maintaining the road. For example, maybe there was a pothole that was difficult to avoid, and this caused a car to veer into oncoming traffic.

The way the road was designed may have made it easier to drift into oncoming traffic. This could be due to numerous factors such as road construction or detours.

If the crash was on a one-way street, there might not have been a sign alerting drivers to the fact that they were turning onto a one-way street.

However, these claims can be very difficult to prove without the resources of an experienced law firm behind you. Despite poor road conditions or other factors out of a driver’s control, he or she may still have been able to avoid a collision.

While there may be rare exceptions, most head-on crash claims involve car insurance companies.

Evidence For a Head-On Collision Claim or Lawsuit

One of the reasons you should consider hiring an experienced lawyer is so he or she can manage the legal process on your behalf. This includes investigating the collision and gathering evidence of the other driver’s negligence.

Your lawyer will need to establish that the other driver crossed into oncoming traffic. Your lawyer may also need to establish why the other driver could have avoided this. Evidence of alcohol impairment, distraction or fatigue, for instance, could help to bolster your claim.

Head-on collision claims often involve severe injuries. That means insurance companies are going to fight hard to avoid paying fair compensation. It also means your lawyer may need to bring in expert witnesses to help prove what happened and link your injuries to the collision.

These are just some of the reasons why you need an experienced lawyer managing your claim. TSR Injury Law is committed to securing full compensation to make sure you can get the medical care you need and deal with the other damages you suffered.

Injuries From Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions can result in many serious injuries that could affect victims for the rest of their lives:

Injured in a Head-On Collision? Contact TSR Injury Law

When people suffer catastrophic injuries in a car crash, they should not assume the insurance company will take care of them. You need a lawyer with experience managing these types of cases. You need a lawyer who has achieved results, either through settlements or courtroom verdicts.

TSR Injury Law has been helping crash victims in Minnesota for many years, securing compensation to help them start to put their lives back together.

Call us to schedule your free legal consultation: (612) TSR-TIME.