Were you or a loved one in a serious car accident in Tampa, Florida?
We’ll tackle your case head-on.
A head-on collision occurs when the front of two vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, train, etc.) collide while going opposite directions. Frontal crashes are one of the most deadly types of all car accidents. They’re often the result of a driver drifting out of their lane or going the wrong direction on the highway. Tampa usually has a large number of highway construction projects that frequently change traffic patterns on the freeway, including changes in entrance and exit ramps. Many head-on collisions in Tampa occur because people drive onto ramps which they think are still on-ramps but are now off-ramps.
When a person is involved in a head-on collision, the impact to their body is multiplied because they come in contact with a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Head-on collisions frequently result in fatalities, or serious permanent brain injuries and physical injuries that require extensive surgical intervention, medical treatment and rehabilitation.
The repercussions of a head-on car crash are serious, which is why it’s important to contact a Tampa lawyer as soon as possible if you or a loved one were hurt in a collision. An accident attorney at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos will be able to fight for your rights and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
You may be entitled to compensation.
Learn more about your legal rights by completing our free case review form today.
What to do After a Head-on Crash
Head-on collisions often result in very serious injuries, some of which might not be obvious right away. Anyone injured in a head-on collision should follow all of their doctor’s recommendations and report any changes in their condition. Something that starts out seemingly small could be life-threatening or debilitating, especially in cases of head trauma.
If you don’t immediately seek medical attention or choose not to follow your medical provider’s orders, you may be seen as willfully ignoring expert medical advice. The court and the insurance companies might use this as evidence against you, arguing that you aren’t actually injured to the extent you claim. This can result in a significant reduction in your compensation.
If your condition worsens, you may not be eligible for insurance compensation because you didn’t complete the treatment recommended by your doctor. After a head-on accident, contact both your doctor and an injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Head-on Collision Facts & Statistics
Here are some surprising facts and statistical data about head-on collisions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other organizations:
- While only about 2% of total crashes are head-on collisions, they account for well over 10% of driving fatalities.
- The most common types of injuries related to head-on collisions are spinal injuries, brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, broken bones, and paralysis.
- Head-on crashes are more prevalent in rural areas, making up 13 percent of all rural fatal crashes. In urban areas, head-on crashes are responsible for less than 7 percent of all urban fatal crashes.
- In 2016, 75 percent of head-on collisions occurred on undivided two-lane roads.
- Frontal impacts accounted for 54 percent of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2016.
Sources:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/Publication/810625
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/passenger-vehicles
Determining Liability
An insurance company’s top priority is minimizing how much they might be liable to pay based on your policy and the circumstances of the accident as well as what injuries or damage were sustained. A claims adjustor reviews the police report to determine fault by investigating who failed to follow the appropriate traffic laws.
Determining liability in a head-on collision involves establishing which party was driving against traffic, and why. In the vast majority of cases, the person who drove the wrong direction will be considered liable for the accident.
Common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Improper turns
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Overcorrection
- Ignoring road signs
- Failing to adapt driving to poor weather conditions
Negligence is the thread that ties all of these causes together — and proving negligence to a judge and/or jury is the key to winning a car accident case
Head-on Collision Damages
Outside of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, Florida law allows car crash victims to sue those responsible for additional expenses. If you are successful in filing a lawsuit for collision injuries, you will be awarded compensation — also known as “damages” — from the at-fault part.
There are three types of damages that accident victims may seek via a personal injury lawsuit:
- Economic. Economic damages are losses that can be calculated based on the financial cost suffered by the plaintiff. Medical expenses (hospital stays, emergency room visits, medication, therapy, surgical procedures, doctor checkups, in-home services, disfigurement, disability, transportation to medical appointments, etc.) and lost wages due to missed time at work are the main types of economic damages available. Funeral expenses may also fall under this category if the accident resulted in a fatality.
- Non-economic. Damages to an individual that aren’t quite as tangible as economic damages, though just as harmful if not more, are considered non-economic losses. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship (or “loss of consortium”) in the case of wrongful death.
- Punitive. Punitive damage awards in Florida are rare in car accident cases because they require the at-fault driver to have had knowledge that their actions could lead to death or serious bodily injury. They may have had reckless disregard for the consequences of their actions. In order for punitive damages to apply, someone has to know or should have known that their behavior could cause somebody serious injury or death. These damages are more common in drunk driving and hit and run cases.
Why Hire a Tampa Car Accident Attorney?
When an experienced Tampa auto accident attorney at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos takes your case, we’ll start by contacting law enforcement and work to get as much information about the collision as possible. In many cases, there’s either a fatality or a very serious injury, so the accident scene and the condition of the vehicles will be documented thoroughly. Our experts then coordinate with all insurance carriers and medical providers to collect records and other documentation that might be pertinent to your case if a trial is necessary.
We’ve been able to secure positive outcomes for past clients with similar cases:
- $300K settlement for client who suffered a broken bone in her wrist as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
- $110K settlement for client who was injured in a motor vehicle accident and suffered soft-tissue injuries which resulted in conservative treatment.
- Confidential settlement for our client, John Graziano, who was catastrophically injured by the reckless driving of Nick Bollea, son of wrestler Hulk Hogan
If you or a loved one have recently been in a head-on collision, it’s wise to hire a skilled Tampa car accident lawyer to act as your representative to the insurance companies from the very beginning. Even the smallest mistake can have a significant impact on the value of your claim, and anything you say can potentially be used against you as you pursue compensation for your injuries.