Did you know Indiana has more than 200,000 head-on collisions every year? Right here in Marion County, our share is more than 35,000 head-on crashes annually. At Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery, our Indianapolis head-on collision lawyers see the results of these accidents among our injured clients. Head-on crashes are almost guaranteed to bring severe injuries because the two vehicles’ front ends crash with such powerful, destructive force.
After a devastating accident like this, it’s essential to consult with a qualified Indianapolis head-on lawyer who has plenty of experience handling head-on collision car accident claims. Our accident recovery team can help you investigate the circumstances of your head-on crash, evaluate who may hold legal liability, and assertively pursue the compensation you deserve under Indiana law.
Below, you can learn more about head-on collisions and your legal options. For an individual consultation about your specific situation, contact us online 24/7 or call 1-800-265-9881 or (317) 780-8000 to speak with a member of the Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery legal team. Out of concern for injured Hoosiers, we provide initial consultations free of charge.
Why Do Head-on Collisions Happen in Indianapolis?
Statistics from the IIHS show that while front-impact crashes are less common than other types of crashes, they account for 57% of all passenger vehicle deaths. In other words, they’re rarer but more deadly.
The causes for head-on collisions vary. Driver negligence is the #1 reason for car accidents, but there can also be many other factors involved. Here are some of the most common causes and contributors to head-on collisions in the central Indiana area.
Impaired Driving
About 27% of all Indiana traffic fatalities involve drunk driving. Many cases also involve illegal drugs and legally-obtained intoxicating substances like pain medication and cough syrup. Intoxicated driving is dangerous driving and can lead to a head-on crash.
Drowsy Driving
When someone is too sleepy to drive safely, a head-on crash can happen in an instant. The driver nods off at the wheel and slams into another vehicle head-on.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a huge problem in Indiana and across the country. When people habitually look down at their phones, back at their kids, or anywhere else but straight ahead at the road, an accident can happen at any moment. Distraction often involves drifting and swerving in the lane, which brings their car into another vehicle’s path.
Wrong-Way Driving
It’s fairly common to hear a driver say they didn’t know they were going the wrong way before a head-on collision. They may have turned the wrong way onto a one-way road or failed to realize they were headed the wrong way down a ramp. A head-on collision is an unfortunate result.
Failure to Yield the Right of Way
You might be surprised to hear the other driver insist they had the right of way in your head-on collision. Perhaps they misunderstood the street signs or couldn’t see that you were coming while they were passing. These situations can be complicated and adversarial, so it helps to have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side.
Poor/Missing Road Signs
Sometimes drivers collide due to a lack of or misleading directional signs. Imagine that a one-way road sign is partially blocked by a tree or fell down due to being hit by a car earlier. Now it’s much easier for a head-on collision to happen.
Bad Weather/Low Visibility
Bad weather makes it difficult to safely adjust to the road conditions. Although it’s not an excuse for hitting someone head-on, sometimes insurance companies, judges, and juries are willing to consider this aspect of an accident’s circumstances.
Objects in the Road
A sudden obstruction in the road can send a driver veering into the oncoming lane. It could be anything – a deer, a pedestrian, a falling tree, or a construction barrier that blew into the road.
Equipment Failures
Equipment failures can happen anytime, but they’re often associated with semi-trucks. When a passenger car hits a big rig head-on, the result can easily be fatal. These are massive, destructive accidents.
Trucks are heavily regulated by the federal government. There could be extensive truck logs and archives that show what caused your head-on truck collision.
Any vehicle, including a truck, can have a head-on collision due to worn tires or failing brakes that caused them to swerve into another car. Your lawyer can help shed light on whether vehicle equipment issues might be relevant to your case.
Common Injuries in Indianapolis Head-on Collisions
Head-on collision injuries range from minor to severe, but trend toward more severe due to the powerful forces of a frontal crash.
Common injuries include:
- Skin damage like bruising
- Facial injuries including eye socket damage
- Lost teeth and dental injuries
- Hand and arm injuries from bracing for the crash
- Neck/shoulder damage like whiplash
- Bone fractures
- Ribcage and chest injuries
- Torn muscles
- Back and spinal injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Burns and scalds, including chemical burns
- Temporary or permanent paralysis
- Amputation
- Emotional injuries including anxiety and depression
If you have long-term injuries from a head-on collision, you may need extensive follow-up surgery and rehabilitation. Your injury claim can include all or most of these costs, so make sure you include the full extent of medical care in your tally of damages.
What Should I Do After a Head-on Collision in Indianapolis?
You might not realize this until you’re the victim of a head-on collision, but people aren’t automatically compensated at the level they deserve after Indianapolis head-on collisions. The other person might ignore your requests for payment and their insurance company could resist paying you the full amount you deserve.
Our experienced head-on collision lawyers at Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery are here to help you pursue the full value of your damages, even when the other side is being difficult about providing compensation. Below is an explanation about what typically happens after a head-on collision in terms of how things unfold and how you can decide what to do next.
Establish a History of Medical Treatment
Accept medical treatment at the scene of your head-on collision. See a doctor as soon as possible after your accident to start tracking your injuries even if you don’t go straight to the ER. Follow the doctor’s order about your course of treatment. Medical bills build the basis of a head-on collision claim.
Gather Plenty of Evidence
Evidence of your accident will be enormously helpful as you pursue your accident claim. Gather evidence like photos/videos from the scene of the head-on collision, debris that shows the extensive damage to your vehicle, witness statements, and a copy of the police report. Start a journal that describes your daily life since the accident.
Watch What You Say
Don’t talk to others about your accident until you speak with your lawyer first. The insurance company has an interest in using your words against you to avoid paying the maximum amount you may deserve. Stay silent on social media and don’t post photos of the accident.
Who is at Fault in My Head-on Collision Case?
It’s impossible to say who’s at fault in your head-on collision until you at least have an initial legal consultation with a lawyer to review the details of your case. Often, it takes additional investigation to explore the scope of who was involved, what types of insurance might be available, and what could be your most promising route to compensation.
Frequently, the liability falls to a driver who crosses the centerline, drives the wrong way, or was intoxicated at the time of the head-on collision. There could also be an element of distracted driving or a third party could be involved, like a construction company or government entity. As you can see, these cases can become extremely complex very quickly.
It’s in your best interests to consult with a car accident attorney before you admit to any blame. Don’t admit fault to the police officer, other driver, witnesses, insurance company, or anyone else until you have a lawyer on your side. Otherwise, you could inadvertently say or do something that critically damages your case before you ever have a chance to seek the full compensation you could be due.
Does it Ruin My Head-on Collision Case if I Hold Partial Blame?
In the state of Indiana, being partially to blame for a head-on collision doesn’t mean there’s no hope of recovering compensation. Our state uses the modified comparative fault rule for all car accidents, which includes the concept of contributory negligence.
The liability will be apportioned to each party as a percentage of a total of 100%. You could be found partially at fault for what happened while still recovering some level of compensation because your award will merely be reduced by the proportional amount of your blame.
There is a threshold to the percentage, however. If you’re found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident, you’re ineligible to receive compensation. However, as long as your responsibility falls under the 51% threshold, you can recover compensation from the person who holds the majority of the blame.
In a head-on collision situation, this means you shouldn’t give up on making a claim if you were momentarily distracted at the moment of the crash or swerved to avoid something in the roadway. The other driver may hold a much larger share of the blame because they slammed directly into you while they were drunk, on drugs, driving the wrong way, road racing, or something else that could be considered the major factor in causing the head-on collision.
What Types of Damages Can I Claim After a Head-on Crash?
The types of damages you can claim in Indiana head-on collisions include:
- Vehicle damage
- Property damage
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Make it a top priority to ensure you’re claiming the full value of your damages from your head-on collision. You only have one chance to do so, because your right to claim compensation ends after you either wrap up your legal case or miss the legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. This is generally two years from the date of your accident in Indiana.
Remember, the insurance representative is not your friend and is not on your side. Insurance companies attempt to save money by claimants’ damages. If they brush you off or only make a lowball offer, you need a lawyer right away.
Your Indianapolis head-on collision lawyers from Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery are on your side and will be trying to maximize your claim rather than minimize it. They’ll also look for legal strategies to ensure you get the full value of what you’re due under the law, like compensation for your pain and suffering.
When you become our client at Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery, we make your case a priority and will boldly represent your legal interests. We have the expertise and resources it takes to demand what you deserve. Our goal is to allow you to rest and recover from your injuries while we handle the legal aspects of your recovery.
You Can Talk to Someone Right Now About Your Case!
We’d like to get started on your head-on collision case as soon as possible because every moment that goes by is vital time lost to gather evidence, testimony, and other details. We’re here to get to the bottom of what happened in your head-on collision and move your legal case forward.
Request a legal review or chat with a representative 24/7 on our website. You can also call 1-800-265-9881 or 317-780-8000 to speak with a member of the legal team at Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery. We’ll answer your questions and explain your options.
Our clients have received high-value compensation for head-on collisions right here in Central Indiana. There’s rarely a need to go to court because our legal team can help you arrange a settlement or insurance payment that minimizes your hassle and maximizes your recovery.
Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery – Indianapolis Head-on Collision Lawyers
If you or a loved one have been injured physically or mentally by a person, product, or company, you need to know your legal rights. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced with cases like yours and can evaluate what your case may be worth. We will ensure that you are protected and compensated for your head-on collision injuries and losses.
For an individual consultation, contact us online 24/7 to request a free case review, or call 1-800-265-9881 or 317-780-8000 to speak with a member of the Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery legal team.