Car Accident
Fry | Goehring successfully helps the injured recover the compensation they deserve.
Cases We Handle
Personal Injury
Head-On Collision Lawyers in Atlanta
Head-on collisions are undoubtedly some of the most dangerous auto accidents we handle. These collisions cause more fatalities compared to other types of wrecks, and the injuries sustained by survivors can be life-altering.
Following a head-on collision, there’s no doubt that you are confused about what to do next. If you have sustained a severe injury or lost a family member in a head-on collision in Atlanta, the auto accident lawyers at Fry | Goehring can help. You can count on us to offer proactive legal representation as we safeguard your right to fair restitution.
Our team provides compassionate and dedicated advocacy that allows you to gain a sense of control over the situation. Turn to our knowledgeable Atlanta head-on collision lawyers at Fry | Goehring for guidance. We are Atlanta’s most formidable car accident legal team, so you can rely on us to oversee the proceedings and get you the best possible outcome. Call us today at 404-969-1284 to schedule a free case review. You pay nothing upfront.
What To Do After a Head-on Collision
The steps you take following a head-on collision can be crucial to the outcome of your personal injury case. Taking the appropriate steps gives your claim the best possible footing. Failure to act appropriately could be detrimental to your injury claim. Here are steps to take following a head-on collision:
- Call law enforcement. Georgia traffic regulations mandate that you call the police after a car accident. The police will ensure that you and others involved in the wreck are safe, call paramedics, and write up a police report of the incident. This report will play a key role in your car accident claim.
- Seek medical treatment. Ensure you receive medical attention from the attending paramedics after the wreck. Remember that your health is the priority.
- Obtain information from involved parties. Get the other driver’s contact and insurance information before leaving the accident scene.
- Take photos and videos. Take pictures and video evidence of the scene, including the damage, road surface, injuries, license plate, debris, and other relevant proof showing what occurred.
- Obtain witness information. Since it’s unlikely that you’ll have another opportunity to encounter eyewitnesses after they depart from the accident scene, make sure to collect their contact information.
- Contact our head-on collision lawyers. The Atlanta head-on collision lawyers at Fry | Goehring will advise you on the proper steps to take to pursue your claim. Our legal team will also gather evidence supporting your claim and ensure you are fully compensated.
Common Causes of Frontal Crashes
Among the various types of car accidents, head-on collisions are particularly devastating. These accidents occur when two vehicles are traveling towards each other at high speeds, resulting in a forceful impact. This type of collision can lead to significant injuries or, tragically, even fatalities for those involved. Let’s explore some of the common reasons these head-on accidents occur.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving refers to engaging in activities — such as eating, texting, or checking the GPS — that take away a driver’s attention from the primary task of driving. Distracted driving is the leading cause of frontal crashes in Georgia and the U.S., accounting for 3% of fatalities.
Improper Lane Changes
If a driver isn’t attentive while behind the wheel or forgets to turn on their signal lights when shifting lanes, they may accidentally get into the path of oncoming vehicles, resulting in a head-on collision.
Driving Under the Influence
According to a Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety report, 353 car accident fatalities in 2019 involved drunk drivers.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical problems or defective components can lead to issues like tire blowouts or failing brakes. In this case, you may have grounds to seek a product liability claim against the responsible parties.
Weather Conditions
Rain, fog, and other adverse conditions can make visibility difficult and increase the likelihood of a head-on collision.
Types of Injuries Sustained in Head-on Collision
At Fry | Goehring, we are aware that head-on collisions can lead to catastrophic injuries. Some of the injuries you can sustain from a head-on collision include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety
Fry | Goehring firmly believes accident victims and their families should not bear the brunt of some of these lasting injuries. We are committed to fighting for your right to fair compensation.
Damages Available in Head-on Collision Accidents
Under Georgia’s personal injury law, victims of head-on collisions have the right to file a claim to recoup damages after sustaining an injury due to another party’s recklessness or negligence. Here are the different damages you stand to recover from a head-on collision accident:
Economic Damages
These damages are intended to help you recover any financial losses you might have experienced due to the frontal collision. They pay for any medical expenses, lost wages, and potential future earnings that the accident may have led to.
Non-Economic Damages
Calculating these damages can be challenging. They involve non-monetary losses that are typically subjective. Non-economic damages encompass physical and emotional pain, the loss of life’s pleasures, emotional distress, and any lasting physical changes such as disfigurement.
Wrongful Death Damages
After losing a loved one in a collision due to a careless driver, you can seek compensation for wrongful death. They include funeral costs, medical costs before the death of the loved one, lost potential for future income, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
Punitive Damages
These damages are rarely awarded but may be applicable in Atlanta car accident cases when it is proven that the defendant acted with ill intent or malice in the moments leading to the accident.
Determining Liability and Understanding Shared Fault in a Head-on Collision
Is proving fault in a head-on collision important? Yes, absolutely! Georgia is a ‘fault’ state, meaning that the driver at fault for causing the accident will be held accountable for ensuing damages. Proving fault is integral to the success of any legal action taken following a head-on collision in Georgia. Here are the four elements of negligence that your Atlanta head-on collision lawyer needs to satisfy to prove fault:
- Duty of care: Every driver must act reasonably behind the wheel to ensure the safety of other road users.
- Breach of duty: The plaintiff must prove that the driver violated their duty and acted recklessly or negligently. This can be through speeding, disregarding traffic lights, drunk driving, or other negligent acts.
- Causation: The plaintiff must show that their injuries resulted from the defendant’s negligent actions.
- Damages: You have suffered damages, including medical costs, lost earnings, and other expenses due to the accident.
Georgia Car Accidents and Comparative Fault Law
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine, which implies that your damages will be reduced or voided when you’re found to be partially or primarily liable for the accident. In cases where both parties are found to be at fault, this doctrine will be applied to calculate damages.
So, if you’re found to be less than 50% responsible for your Atlanta head-on collision, you may be eligible for damages, which will be determined based on your assigned percentage of fault. However, you won’t be eligible for compensation if you’re deemed 50% or more responsible for the accident.
Some of the evidence our Atlanta head-on collision lawyers will use to help prove the other driver’s fault in a head-on collision include:
- Police report describing the details of the accident scene, including traffic infringements or whether either driver appeared intoxicated.
- Unbiased eyewitness testimony detailing their account of the head-on collision and who they thought was at fault.
- Traffic cameras can be used to show the moments leading to the crash and may show how the other driver acted negligently, such as running red lights.
- Dashcam footage from your car can show how the other driver was in the wrong lane during the collision.
- Accident scene evidence reconstructed by investigators can help show which driver was responsible for the crash.
Time Limit for Filing a Claim After a Head-on Collision in Atlanta
Georgia’s statute of limitations stipulates that you have two years to file a head-on collision claim in Atlanta. Don’t delay speaking to an Atlanta head-on collision lawyer after your crash to ensure you don’t lose your right to get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact an Atlanta Head-on Collision Lawyer Today for Legal Help
Head-on collisions can have a devastating impact on your physical health and financial situation. If you or someone close to you has been the victim of a head-on collision, the auto accident attorneys at Fry | Goehring can help alleviate the burden during this stressful time.
Put years of experience on your side by enlisting our head-on collision lawyers in Atlanta today. We’ve recovered millions in damages for personal injury victims and can do the same for you. We’ll file your personal injury claim on time, clarify any questions you may have, and provide aggressive representation to get you maximum compensation.
Contact us at 404-969-1284 to schedule your complimentary case review. We are here to help.
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