Head-On Accidents

Knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers Helping Accident Victims Recover Fair Compensation for Their Injuries

While any motor vehicle collision is dangerous and likely to result in serious injuries, head-on collisions are typically one of the most lethal. For example, in 2020, head-on collisions were responsible for a total of 3,632 deaths, or more than 10 percent of all fatal accident in the United States. While head-on collisions are extremely dangerous, they are also preventable, provided motorists drive in a safe and responsible manner. At the Blakeley Law Firm, our dedicated Fort Lauderdale personal injury and wrongful death lawyers have more than two decades of combined experience recovering money damages on behalf of accident victims and holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions.

Where Do Most Head-On Accidents Happen?

Head-on collisions are one of the most studied type of accident due to the dangers they present. For example, the Federal Highway Administration conducted a study of all the head-on collisions occurring between 2014 and 2018, publishing the following findings:

  • 85 percent of head-on collisions occur on undivided highways;
  • 70 percent of head-on collisions occur on roads with a speed limit of 50 mph or higher; and
  • 65 percent of head-on collisions occur on rural roads.

The Federal Highway Administration also found that curvy roads and wet roads also presented significant risks of a head-on collision.

Causes of Fort Lauderdale Head on Collisions

Head-on accidents typically don’t stem from a minor oversight or a single bad decision. Instead, most head-on collisions involve one or more of the following dangerous driving behaviors:

Impaired Driving

Drugs and alcohol have a major effect on a driver’s ability to perceive the things and events happening around them. Drunk and drugged drivers also are more likely to fall asleep or become unconscious while behind the wheel. Thus, these may enter the highway going the wrong way or pass out and cross over the center median, causing a DUI accident.

Drowsy Driving

Driver fatigue is a common cause of head-on collisions, as drowsy drivers may fall asleep behind the wheel and then cross into oncoming traffic. However, even if a drowsy driver doesn’t fall asleep, their decision-making abilities and reaction time are affected. In fact, studies have repeatedly shown that a lack of sleep has a similar impact on someone’s ability to drive as does being legally intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of .08.

Aggressive Driving

Passing another vehicle, especially on a two-lane, undivided road—is one of the most dangerous maneuvers drivers can perform. Aggressive drivers who are impatient and eager to get to their destination may not adequately check oncoming traffic before attempting to pass, potentially leading to a head-on collision.

How Can Victims Recover Compensation After a Head-On Accident?

Drivers and passengers who are injured in a Fort Lauderdale head-on collision can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. These claims require a victim show that the other driver violated a duty of care that was owed to them, and that the other driver’s actions were the cause of the accident resulting in the victim’s injuries. If you are successful in bringing a head-on collision claim, you can recover money damages for your economic and non-economic damages, which include:

  • Past and future medical expenses, Lost wages,
  • Decrease in earning capacity,
  • Property damage,
  • Loss of quality of life,
  • Pain and suffering,
  • Emotional distress, and
  • Loss of familial relationships.

Working with an experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can ensure that you identify the full extent of your damages. That way, you can rest assured that when your case is over, you know that there won’t be additional expenses you’ll face in the future.

Have You Been Injured in a Fort Lauderdale Head-On Collision?

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a head-on collision, you may be entitled to significant monetary compensation. At the Blakeley Law Firm, we are here to help you understand your rights and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. With more than 20 years of combined experience handling all types of car accident lawsuits, the lawyers at the Blakeley Law Firm have the knowledge, dedication, experience and resources necessary to take on the largest insurance companies. To learn more, and to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call (800) 602-5000. You can also reach us through our online contact form. We have offices conveniently located in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.