Otherwise known as a frontal collision, a head-on collision is when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, striking each other’s front ends. These are very serious accidents that can be fatal, especially for drivers of sedans. When another driver’s negligence has led to your injuries and financial losses, then you need an attorney in your corner fighting to get you justice and the settlement you deserve. Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. serves the St. Petersburg area by providing top-quality personal injury representation so that you can go back to your life and move on from this tragic event.
What should you do if faced with a head-on collision?
Immediately after a car accident, you should check yourself and any passengers in your vehicle for injuries. Next, check on the other driver and any pedestrians or others involved in the accident. Call 911 and report to the dispatcher so they can send paramedics to help you.
You should exchange the following information with the other driver:
- Your names
- Email addresses
- Addresses
- Phone numbers
- Car insurance information
- If they ask for it, then you must provide proof of a valid driver’s license
You should also collect the contact information of any witnesses.
Next, take videos and pictures of the accident scene, the condition of the vehicles, and your injuries. Ideally, your pictures will tell the story of what happened, so start by taking photos and videos from a distance that encompass the entirety of the scene. Then, move in closer to get details. Also include road conditions in your photos, such as potholes, road signs, debris, or obstructions. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way to get these photos, and be aware of your surroundings as you capture them.
Do not admit fault. In fact, it’s best not to speak that much to the other driver except for the obligatory exchange of information. Tempers can get very hot after an accident, and drivers may try to argue who is at fault on the side of the road. Anything you say that sounds like an admission of guilt or could be construed as belligerent and intimidating can be used against you. The best advice is to decline to comment on the accident. The side of the road is not a courthouse, and a thorough investigation will be completed before a decision is made on liability.
Seek medical attention right away by going to the nearest emergency room. A physician can order diagnostic testing to rule out internal bleeding, fractures, and other injuries that you may not feel yet due to the “fight or flight” response, which dulls the pain to allow you to respond to stressors.
Calling an attorney right away after your accident is advantageous because the insurance company will try to get you to admit fault or say something to ruin your chances of getting the most in your settlement. You must report your accident within 24 to 72 hours, depending on your insurer, so you should have strong representation ready to stand up for you. The insurance company will not play the same games with an attorney as they will with someone who t does not know about personal injury law. Remember, the insurance companies are concerned about their bottom line. You need someone in your corner focused on your needs and concerns.
How is fault determined in a head-on collision?
Although the determination of fault is done after evaluating key evidence such as a police report, generally, it is the driver who did not abide by their duty of care who is liable. If one driver was traveling in the wrong direction, missed a traffic signal, or was intoxicated at the time of the accident, they can be held liable. Still, the circumstances of each case need to be evaluated individually. If one vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle, thus pushing them into oncoming traffic, then the driver of the initial vehicle will be held liable for the accident. This is why you should seek the counsel of an experienced head-on collision attorney in St. Petersburg as soon as possible.
In the state of Florida, you have four years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim, but there can be negative consequences if you wait that long, and it complicates the issue of fault if you delay. Instead, call us now at 727-343-3477 to speak to a head-on collision attorney in St. Petersburg to learn about your rights.
How long does it take to recover from a head-on collision?
It depends on each person’s circumstances and injuries. Some injuries take only days to heal, while others may never fully heal. Some injuries can be healed through consistent physical therapy, and some will require surgery or follow-up surgeries in addition to physical therapy.
Common injuries from head-on collisions include but are not limited to:
- Driving erratically or recklessly
- Speeding in heavy traffic
- Back and spinal injuries
- Facial injuries from an airbag deploying
- Whiplash
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Internal injuries. Stomach bleeding is a very common injury caused by the seatbelt violently restraining the victim
Injuries can range in severity. For example, TBI encompasses all brain injuries from mild, such as a concussion, to severe, such as a coma.
Speak To A Head-On Collision Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a head-on collision in St. Petersburg, Central Florida, or the Gulf Coast, then you can trust that car accident lawyers Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. will stop at nothing to get you the settlement that you deserve. We are ready to help you just as we have been helping injury victims in Florida for over 40 years. Call 727-343-3477 now to schedule your free case evaluation, which is when we listen to your side of the story, inform you of your rights and advise you what your next steps should be. We always have your best interest at heart and will advocate for you in front of the insurance companies.
