Head-on car accidents are rare. However, even low-speed head-on crashes in Jacksonville, FL, can cause severe or fatal injuries due to the enormous crash energy released. Almost all of these collisions result from negligence or recklessness, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you’ve been hurt in a head-on crash in Jacksonville, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A Jacksonville car accident lawyer from Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers fights to hold drivers responsible for the head-on crashes they cause. Contact us today at (904) 356-6071 to schedule a free consultation.
How Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Head-On Crash in Jacksonville, FL
Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers has fought for the rights of injured car accident victims in Florida for over 40 years. Our Jacksonville car accident attorneys have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards from at-fault parties and their insurers.
When you hire our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers, we will support your claim for compensation by:
- Analyzing your crash and educating you about your legal right to compensation
- Building a strong case for compensation using medical records, crash reports, and other evidence
- Working for a fair insurance payout from the at-fault driver’s auto carrier
- Fighting the insurer in court if it denies your claim
Although they might seem straightforward, head-on crashes can raise complicated issues concerning liability and loss. Contact us to schedule a complimentary case review to discuss your car accident and learn how a Jacksonville personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation for your injury-related losses.
What Is a Head-On Crash?
Head-on crashes occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the front of another. This definition gives this type of crash its technical name, “front-to-front impact.” The definition usually excludes front-to-front collisions with a parked car. Instead, both vehicles must typically be in transit at the time of the crash.
However, the vehicles do not both have to be in motion. A head-on collision can occur if one vehicle is in motion and the other is temporarily stopped. For example, a crash could be classified as “head-on” if someone crosses the median and hits the front of a car stopped at a red light.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Jacksonville
Head-on crashes often happen when a vehicle departs its lane and enters the lane designated for oncoming traffic. In other words, most head-on collisions result from wrong-way driving.
A driver may go the wrong way on a road for the following reasons:
Intoxication
One of the most common causes of wrong-way driving is impaired driving. A driver’s judgment and perception are altered when they operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
They may cross the median without realizing it. They may lose control of their vehicle and depart their lane. They may even misperceive the lights or signs on a dark road and deliberately swerve into oncoming traffic.
Distractions or Inattention
When a driver is distracted, they may inadvertently use the wrong lane of traffic. They may also misread or fail to see “Do Not Enter” or “Wrong Way” signs. Some common examples of distracted driving include using a cell phone, adjusting a GPS or radio, or conversing with passengers.
Unfamiliarity with Local Roads
Unfamiliarity with local roads or highways may cause drivers to enter the wrong way onto highway off-ramps or travel in the wrong direction on a one-way street.
Getting lost or turned around does not necessarily excuse drivers who cause head-on crashes. Instead, the liability for these crashes will be judged using the same standard that is applied to drunk or distracted drivers.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Head-On Crash Injuries in Florida?
Head-on collisions can cause catastrophic injuries. As a result, vehicle occupants may require extensive medical care and incur the substantial costs that accompany it.
Florida’s no-fault system allows crash victims to seek compensation from at-fault drivers if they suffer significant, permanent injuries. To recover compensation, the injured person must prove that the other driver acted negligently in causing the crash.
Negligence means that the driver unintentionally caused the crash because of a lack of due care. Specifically, the victim must prove that the other driver failed to exercise the level of caution that a reasonably careful driver would have exercised under the same circumstances.
In most cases, a wrong-way driver did something careless, whether they got behind the wheel while impaired or sent a text while driving.
Contact Our Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Head-on collisions can cause catastrophic injuries that disable you and require long-term care. Contact Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss the injury compensation you may be entitled to seek under Florida law. Our Jacksonville car accident lawyers are ready to help.