Being involved in a head-on collision in South Carolina is a harrowing and life-altering experience. When someone is injured in a head-on collision, they tend to suffer more significant injuries than in other types of accidents because of how violent these crashes are. Head-on collision victims often incur substantial financial losses, resulting in further stress and emotional pain.
If you have been hurt in a head-on collision in Florence or elsewhere in South Carolina, the Jebaily Law Firm can help. Our Florence head-on collision attorneys care about the pain you have endured. With more than 100 years of combined experience, we can use our knowledge to help you seek fair compensation for your injuries. Let us take care of filing a personal injury lawsuit and handle all your legal needs while you rest and recuperate from the accident.
Contact us today for more information and a free case review.
What Is a Head-on Collision?
A head-on collision happens when two cars traveling in opposite directions hit each other from the front. Head-on collisions are especially forceful because both vehicles have forward momentum as the crash occurs.
The combined force of the collision can wreak havoc on people in both vehicles. Even though most modern cars are built with crumple zones in the front to mitigate the effects of a head-on crash, these accidents frequently cause horrific injuries to everyone involved.
Causes of Head-on Collisions
Most head-on collisions in Florence result from negligence on the part of one of the drivers involved in the crash. Some of the common causes of head-on collisions in South Carolina include:
- Driving while impaired — A driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs could lose control of their vehicle and move into the path of oncoming traffic, or they might not notice that they are drifting out of their lane. In some cases, an impaired driver may nod off behind the wheel and cross into the path of cars coming in the opposite direction. The types of errors are potentially catastrophic.
- Driver fatigue — Severe fatigue mimics many of the effects of driving while impaired. The National Safety Council reports going 20 hours without sleep is roughly equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent, which is the legal limit in South Carolina. A severely fatigued driver might drift out of their lane, leading to a head-on collision.
- Distracted driving — Distractions prevent drivers from giving their full attention to vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signals, and other hazards around them. Often, distracted driving makes it difficult for drivers to stay in their lane, causing them to swerve and drift. A driver who is texting, talking on the phone, eating or drinking, grooming, looking at a navigation device, or distracted in some other way may not realize they have crossed into oncoming traffic until it is too late.
- Poor visibility — If a driver cannot see where they are going due to bad weather or darkness, they need to slow down to avoid hitting another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Unfortunately, not all drivers are as cautious as they should be in low-visibility conditions and do not make the necessary, safe adjustments.
- Bad weather —Driving on a wet or icy road could cause a driver to lose control and drift into the path of oncoming traffic.
- Not being careful when passing — Passing on two-lane roads is extremely dangerous because of the increased chance of running into traffic moving toward the driver. Drivers who are not careful when passing put themselves and others at heightened risk of a crash.
- Failing to yield the right-of-way — If a driver runs a stop sign, traffic light, yield sign, or another traffic control device, they could find themselves in the path of vehicles coming toward them.
Common Injuries from a Head-on Collision
Head-on collisions can be terrifying and devastating, leaving drivers and passengers in both vehicles with severe injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- External head injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Back injuries
- Injuries to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Crushed, severed, or amputated limbs
- Broken bones
- Injuries to joints, muscles, and connective tissues
- Burns
- Severe lacerations and bruises
- Psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
Recovering Damages After a Head-on Collision in Florence, SC
The physical injuries, mental trauma, and financial losses from a head-on collision in Florence can be substantial. When you file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident, it is important to seek compensation to ensure all of your expenses are covered and your future needs are considered.
With help from a head-on collision attorney, you can seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property
Statistics on Head-on Collisions in South Carolina
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 11 percent of fatal collisions are head-on accidents. This statistic makes head-on collisions the second most common type of fatal accident nationwide.
NHTSA data shows there were 3,639 fatal head-on collisions and about 91,000 collisions nationwide in one recent year. Furthermore, it is estimated an injury collision occurs every 13 minutes in South Carolina, the results of which add up to thousands of crash-related injuries each year.
What if My Loved One Suffered a Fatal Injury?
If someone in your immediate family tragically died in a head-on collision with a negligent driver, South Carolina law gives you the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased.
Nothing can truly make up for the devastating loss you have suffered, but a wrongful death lawsuit can help you secure compensation for funeral and burial costs, the deceased’s outstanding medical bills, the income you have lost from your family member, and other expenses related to their death. A head-on collision lawyer can handle a wrongful death claim so you can seek justice on behalf of your loved one.
Talk to an Experienced Attorney at Jebaily Law Firm
If you were injured in a head-on collision in Florence, you might feel like your world turned upside down in a split second. But you don’t have to go it alone following the accident. You have options to seek the money you need after an accident. Our skilled attorneys can help you pursue a favorable outcome.
Contact the Jebaily Law Firm today for a free consultation with a Florence, SC, head-on collision attorney.
