Were You In a Head-On Collision?

We are the Houston car accident attorneys you need

Any car accident can cause serious injuries, but if you’ve been hit head-on, you know how singularly frightening this type of car accident is. Because of the combined force of both vehicles hitting each other, head-on wrecks can cause devastating injuries. You may be out of work for a long time or have a permanent disability. You may have even lost a loved one due to another driver’s negligence.

To the insurance company, your pain is just a potential cost to their bottom line, and they will fight hard to pay you as little as possible. That’s why you need an experienced car accident lawyer. Level the playing field with Smith & Hassler, Attorneys at Law on your side.

We’ll get to the bottom of your head-on collision

By definition, when two cars collide head-on, one of them had to be going the wrong way. The most common causes of head-on collisions are drunk driving and driving while fatigued or falling asleep at the wheel, both of which can impair a driver’s ability to see the lines on the road and stay in their lane. However, it’s also possible for a texting or otherwise distracted driver to drift into the oncoming lane, or for a speeding or reckless driver to lose control of their vehicle and hit someone else head-on. Occasionally, head-on collisions are even caused by mechanical issues, such as problems with steering or brakes.

In theory, liability (legal responsibility) for a head-on wreck should be clear: the person who was going the wrong way is at fault for the accident. The problem is that it’s not always clear which car was going the wrong way. Witnesses may disagree, and the skid marks may tell an unclear story. The insurance company is more than happy to lean into this confusion because anything they can use to dispute fault protects their bottom line – and a head-on collision is usually a big threat to their bottom line.

The way to resolve this situation is to conduct a full investigation as soon as possible. We pore over police reports, review physical evidence, and put in the extra effort to get to the bottom of your head-on collision. We are adept at interviewing witnesses and cross-referencing their stories to piece together what happened. We also have strong relationships with accident reconstruction experts who can provide strong evidence for your side of the story.

Damages in head-on collision cases

When two cars collide head-on, a tremendous amount of kinetic energy is transferred between them, and from the cars to the bodies of the people inside. The body keeps moving forward until it hits something – whether that’s a seatbelt, airbag, or the car’s interior. The extreme physical trauma of a head-on crash can cause broken bones, internal injuries to the lungs, stomach, or liver, and severe lacerations. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are also common – and they can do permanent damage.

These types of injuries require more than just medical treatment. They have ripple effects on the rest of your life, including your ability to work, care for your family, and do the things you love. We will pursue the full amount of damages (financial compensation) you need to be made whole again. Depending on the circumstances, that may include:

• Medical expenses, both past and future.
• Lost wages and lost future income.
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
• Loss of consortium, a legal term for loss of intimacy with your spouse and family.
• Loss of quality and enjoyment of life.
• Property damage.

In some head-on wrecks, we can also pursue exemplary damages (called punitive damages in some other states), which are intended to punish particularly egregious and reckless conduct. Going the wrong way is often the result of extremely reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can likewise be grounds for exemplary damages.

It’s common for head-on collision cases to be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. The only way to know the value of your claim is to talk to an experienced attorney who can investigate and assess your situation. That’s one of the reasons you need to schedule your free consultation with us as soon as possible.

We know how to beat the insurance companies

When an insurance company sees “head-on collision” on a claim form, the alarm bells go off. They know head-on wrecks tend to cause severe injuries, and severe injuries mean big claims. They will put their most experienced adjusters and attorneys on the case, and they will use every trick in the book to delay, dispute, or deny your claim. For them, it’s all in a day’s work. You can count on Smith & Hassler to level the playing field.

We have a proven track record of taking on the insurance companies in big car accident cases, and they know it. We know Texas law, we know the courts, and we know how to craft winning arguments. When the insurance company sees what they’re up against, they usually offer a fair settlement. If they do not cooperate, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit or take your case before a jury. No matter what happens, we’re with you every step of the way, keeping you informed about what’s coming next.

The key is to act quickly. In Texas, you usually have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action, but that can vary depending on the circumstances – and regardless, we need time to start our investigation and preserve evidence. If you were hit head-on, get an attorney who will go head-to-head with the insurance company. Contact us today to discuss your case with an experienced Houston head-on collision attorney.