Head-On Collision Lawyer in Houston

A head-on collision is one of the most destructive types of motor vehicle accidents. Head-on collisions have an especially high injury and fatality rate. In one recent year, the National Safety Council reported that head-on collisions accounted for nearly 7 percent of all injury accidents and more than 27 percent of all fatal accidents despite making up less than 4 percent of all vehicle collisions.

If you were involved in a Houston head-on collision, you might be suffering from painful injuries and wondering how you’ll pay your medical bills and get by while unable to work. If the accident was someone else’s fault, you might be entitled to money to help you get back on your feet.

At The Callahan Law Firm, our attorneys are familiar with the devastating effects of head-on collisions in Houston. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way as you seek a fair recovery for your losses.

What Is a Head-On Collision?

A head-on collision, also known as a frontal collision or front-impact accident, occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the front end of another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

Compared to all motor vehicle accidents, head-on collisions are relatively rare. However, head-on accidents are also much more likely to result in severe injuries and catastrophic damage, especially when they occur at high speeds.

Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Houston

Here are some of the most common contributing factors to head-on collisions in Houston:

Distracted driving – Drivers who are focused on text messages, phone calls, or other distractions are significantly more likely to overlook important traffic signs or drift into lanes of opposing traffic.
Driving under the influence – The effects of alcohol and intoxicating drugs can severely impair depth perception, reaction time, and other critical safe-driving abilities. Impaired motorists may even go the wrong way or cross a median. Drivers who are drunk or high put themselves and everyone around them at risk for devastating head-on collisions.
Drowsy driving – Research suggests that driving while excessively fatigued can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Drowsy drivers may cause head-on collisions when they accidentally veer into oncoming traffic or cross a median.
Driving errors – Inexperienced, inattentive, or impatient drivers may commit simple driving errors that increase the risk of head-on collisions, such as driving the wrong way down a one-way street or crossing the centerline.
Reckless driving – Negligent drivers are more likely to cause head-on collisions when they engage in reckless behaviors, such as lane weaving, passing on blind curves or hills, running red lights, and street racing.
Poor road conditions – Excessive potholes or poor drainage can cause drivers to spin out of control and crash into other vehicles head-first. If road signs are missing or obscured, drivers may overlook important safety information and cause head-on crashes as a result.
Defective car parts – A lack of proper maintenance or poor manufacturing standards can lead to faulty vehicle components. If a defective part fails in transit, the driver can lose control and drift or spin into oncoming traffic.

Proving Fault for a Head-On Crash

Texas courts follow a modified comparative negligence doctrine, which states that you are entitled to compensation even if you are partially at fault in an accident. However, if you are partially to blame, the amount of money you are owed may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

If you are found to be more than 51 percent at fault for causing the accident, you are legally barred from recovering compensation through a car accident lawsuit. Insurance companies know this, which means they will do anything they can to pin the blame on you and pay out as little as possible if you file an insurance claim.

That is why the fault is critical in any head-on collision case. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can protect your right to compensation by demonstrating that the other driver was at fault. That can involve presenting evidence such as:

Police accident reports, which often contain important information about a crash, such as traffic violations and toxicology test results
Photos of the accident scene and video footage from traffic and dash cameras
Statements from eyewitnesses who saw the crash
Testimony from expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists
Medical records and other documentation of your accident-related injuries and expenses

Financial Recovery in Head-On Collisions

With a successful personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim, you could recover financial compensation for injuries and other accident-related losses after a head-on collision. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to money for:

Medical bills – Any medical costs you incur for the treatment of your accident-related injuries, including things like ambulance rides, hospital stays, and doctor’s visits
Lost wages – The value of any income losses you suffer as a result of time missed at work while you recover from your accident-related injuries
Future losses – The estimated value of future accident-related losses, such as the cost of medical care you will likely need in the future and the projected value of losses in your future earning potential
Pain and suffering – The intangible cost of the physical pain, psychological anguish, and emotional suffering you endure as a result of the accident and your subsequent injuries
Incidental expenses – The costs of any incidental expenses you incur as a result of the accident, such as costs of travel to and from medical appointments
Vehicle damage – The cost of repairing any damage your vehicle sustained in the crash or replacing your vehicle entirely, if it was totaled

How a Lawyer Can Help If You Were Hurt in a Head-On Collision

A Houston head-on collision accident attorney from The Callahan Law Firm can help you through every stage of your case by:

Explaining your rights and legal options
Conducting an independent investigation into the crash
Identifying and preserving useful evidence to support your case
Managing important legal documents and deadlines on your behalf
Communicating with other parties on your behalf
Negotiating aggressively to maximize your compensation
Representing you in court, if necessary

Contact Our Experienced Houston Head-On Car Accident Lawyers Today

The head-on car crash attorneys of The Callahan Law Firm have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for clients throughout Houston and surrounding areas of Texas. We are ready to review the details of your situation during an initial case review at no cost to you.