Head-on Collisions in Georgia

Car accidents do not always leave vehicle occupants with life-threatening injuries. However, when two vehicles crash head-on at high speed, the results are often devastating. The victims of these car accidents can suffer injuries that lead to chronic or debilitating pain, lost income, and overwhelming (and sometimes ongoing) medical expenses. These losses can place an entire family’s financial security at risk.

Typical causes of head-on collisions

Head-on collisions can occur when one driver makes an erroneous maneuver; this can include driving the wrong way on a one-way road, entering or exiting an on- or off-ramp from a highway, or drifting off into another lane. When a driver travels around a curve, or starts to drift, he or she may attempt to over-correct from a mistake and end up in the wrong lane.

Of course, other kinds of negligence can also lead to head-on collisions. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, texting while driving, falling asleep behind the wheel and speeding are all factors that can lead to a deadly head-on collision.

Injuries resulting from front-impact car wrecks

The injuries sustained from head-on collisions are some of the most serious that can occur. Upon impact, drivers and passengers are usually thrust forward violently. In the best-case scenario, vehicle occupants are restrained by a seat belt and/or cushioned by an airbag. The impact can still result in injuries such as broken facial bones and cracked ribs. Occupants not wearing a seat belt can be hurt even more seriously, even thrown through the windshield, resulting in severe and potentially fatal injuries.

Common injuries resulting from a head-on auto accident include:

• Head and brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury can occur when the head is shaken back and forth or hits objects within the vehicle.
• Chest injuries. The impact of the seatbelt or airbag can cause chest bruising or broken ribs.
• Whiplash and neck injuries. Symptoms of these injuries may not manifest for at least 24 hours after the crash. They can include headaches, neck pain, and fatigue.
• Leg and foot injuries. When the feet, legs, and knees hit the dashboard or are driven into the floorboard during a head-on impact, broken bones and other injuries can occur.
• Spinal cord injuries. Everything from minor to full paralysis is possible due to the forces generated in a head-on collision.
• Damage to internal organs. Head-on collisions can impose tremendous force on the body, causing blunt force trauma and even puncture wounds. As a result, internal organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidneys can suffer serious damage.

If you are hurt in a head-on car accident, your attorney will need to prove that someone else is liable for your injuries. In some cases, liability may be easy to determine; in other cases, it may require considerable investigation. It is important to have the services of a legal advocate who can skillfully evaluate all the factors of the accident and help determine liability.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on collision in Georgia, the experienced car accident attorneys at Harris Lowry Manton LLP are here to serve you. We advocate strongly on your behalf for the financial compensation you are owed for your injuries. To arrange a free, initial consultation about your case, call our auto accident lawyers in Savannah today at 912-651-9967, in Atlanta at 404-961-7650, or fill out our contact form.

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