Head On Collision Lawyer in Louisiana

Some of the most dangerous car accidents are head-on collisions. While some studies estimate that head-on crashes account for only 2% of all traffic accidents, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that frontal impacts accounted for 58% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2020.

What makes a head-on collision so much more dangerous than other types of accidents? What causes these serious accidents? What should you do if you’ve been involved in a head-on collision? Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have helped victims of head-on crashes in Louisiana for decades, and we can help you too.

What Makes a Head-on Collision Dangerous?

Head-on accidents occur when two vehicles, traveling in opposite directions, collide head-to-head. The physics of these situations means that the velocities and impact forces of each car adds to the other, resulting in a much more serious wreck than if they’d hit a wall or a car traveling in the same direction.

To further illustrate the danger of a head-on collision, imagine two cars traveling in opposite directions, each at 60 mph. If one of them crosses the yellow line and collides with the other, their speeds are effectively doubled—making the damage the same as a 120 mph crash. Due to the physics of head-on collisions, even would-be minor collisions are much more serious.

Causes of Head-on Collisions

Head-on collisions are generally caused when one car or another crosses the line into a lane of oncoming traffic. Of course, there’s usually another reason behind lane drift, and it’s usually related to driver negligence:

• Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, grooming, or even talking while driving, can easily lead to lane drift or even a loss of control. Distracted driving can do much more than cause head-on collisions, too: in fact they’re so dangerous that Louisiana and many other states outlaw texting and driving outright.
• Multi-car pile ups can cause vehicles in middle lanes to be pushed into oncoming traffic to avoid the wreck, causing another wreck in the form of a frontal crash.
• Drunk driving, or driving under the influence of other drugs, significantly impairs reaction time, as well as the ability to make sound decisions. Drunk drivers, or drivers under the influence of drugs, can easily become confused, turn into the wrong lane, or weave into oncoming traffic.
• Similarly, drowsy driving can lead to impaired reactions and even falling asleep behind the wheel. Studies have shown that fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Truck drivers in particular can be susceptible to driving while exhausted, since they have tight deadlines and other pressures keeping them on the road.
• Poor road conditions, including potholes, poor lighting, debris, construction, and others can lead to drivers swerving to avoid them, sometimes into oncoming traffic. Where the other causes in this list are caused by a driver’s negligence, poor road conditions can be caused by the government’s negligence, especially if they knew about the poor conditions and failed to either fix them or notify drivers of their existence.

Injuries You Could Suffer in a Head-on Crash

Head-on collisions often cause serious, even life-threatening injuries. Here are just a few of the injuries you could be facing if the victim of a head-on collision:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Concussions
• Whiplash
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Injuries from airbag deployment
• Broken bones and fractures
• Sprains and strains
• Cuts, bruises, or scrapes
• Internal damage

What Should I Do If I’ve Been Hit Head-on by Another Car?

If you’ve been the victim of a head-on collision, you’re probably not thinking of holding anyone accountable right away and likely do not know what you should do after your wreck. And in fact, immediately after any crash, your first concern should be to get yourself and your passengers to safety as soon as possible.

Once you’re off to the side of the road, call 911 for emergency medical help, as well as to give your statement to the officer who arrives at the scene. You should also be examined for injuries by a medical first responder, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t present side effects for days or weeks after the accident, and the Louisiana statute of limitations places a strict deadline from the date of injury to file a claim.

While you should report the accident to your insurance company, don’t accept any initial settlements they offer. Insurance companies are in business to make money, so they’re incentivized to settle your case as quickly and cheaply as possible. However, many times that initial settlement offer will be nowhere near what you need to heal.

Statute of Limitation Changes in Louisiana

In 2024, Louisiana law extended the statute of limitations for personal injury claims occurring on or after July 1, 2024, from one year to two years. Any injuries that occurred before July 1, 2024, will still have a 1-year statute of limitation. Learn more about Louisiana’s New Statute of Limitations here.

• 1 year for injuries sustained before July 1, 2024.
• 2 years for injuries suffered after July 1, 2024.

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline that sets a time frame for filing a lawsuit. In Louisiana, this is known as the “prescriptive period,” which determines how long you have to take legal action against the responsible party after an injury occurs.

Experienced Car Wreck Lawyers in Louisiana

Not only do the Louisiana head-on collision lawyers with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have the necessary experience to help you with your case, we have the resources and skill to reconstruct your accident in detail, so a jury can understand exactly what’s happened to you.

We understand that the catastrophic injuries and fatalities often caused by head-on collisions can be utterly devastating, and no amount of compensation can fully heal your wounds. However, with a judgment or injury settlement, you can begin to move on with your life.

Call us today at 888.501.7888 for a free consultation about your accident and what legal avenues are available to you. A dedicated lawyer will start on your claim right away, finding evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing arguments for court.

Areas in Louisiana We Serve