Head-on collisions can be especially terrifying for a number of reasons. For starters, they’re by nature going to be high-impact.
Because they involve two drivers colliding directly with their front ends — often at high speeds — they can hit your vehicle with significant force, which can often result in severe injuries.
So, if you’ve been involved in a head-on collision, don’t push yourself to try filing a claim alone. Reach out to one of our attorneys today to see how we can help.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our team can help you streamline all the next steps to come while ensuring your rights are protected throughout the entire claims process.
To reach out to our team, simply call (404) 777-8800 or use this link. From there, we can help you schedule a free, confidential case evaluation — with no obligation required.
When Should I Reach Out to an Atlanta Head-on Collision Attorney?
You should reach out to an attorney as soon as possible after you have been involved in an accident, especially one where there was a head-on collision. For one, a head-on collision attorney is a lawyer who specializes in the complicated laws and regulations that govern head-on collisions, so they’re going to be better prepared to help you navigate the legal process as effectively — and efficiently — as possible.
Beyond that, promptly reaching out to an attorney is important for the following reasons:
- Evidence Preservation: Time will be a critical factor in determining the strength of your evidence. Your lawyer can help you act promptly to gather crucial documents like accident reports, witness statements, and photographs so you can build a strong case right from the get-go.
- Insurance Challenges: Dealing with insurance companies can be tricky, but your lawyer will know how to negotiate with them to maximize your compensation and prevent you from ever being treated unfairly (or underpaid).
- Determining Fault: Your lawyer will want to investigate the accident right away to establish who is at fault as soon as possible. This is a crucial step that can inevitably impact the success of your claim.
- Statute of Limitations: In Georgia, the law requires you to file your claim within a limited time frame. Missing this deadline can mean forfeiting your right to compensation, but if you reach out promptly, your attorney can help make sure you meet these deadlines.
- Medical Bills: If you’ve been injured, you’re likely to see mounting medical bills, with expenses that will just keep piling up. Moreover, unless you seek medical treatment immediately after the accident, insurance companies may refuse to cover your expenses if they can find a way to say that they are not linked directly to the incident. Consulting a physician immediately will ensure that there is a clear paper trail safeguarding your right to compensation, and your attorney can help you secure the care and diagnostic expertise you need with no up-front costs.
- Support While You Heal: Finally, it’s safe to say that experiencing a head-on collision is, without a doubt, emotionally draining. A lawyer can provide you with the legal support you need while keeping your claim organized, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Understanding Head-on Collisions
A head-on collision, as the name suggests, occurs when two vehicles collide directly front-to-front. This means that the front end of one vehicle strikes the front end of another.
Often, these accidents will happen on undivided two-lane roads while one driver is attempting to overtake another. They can also result from distracted or impaired driving, poor weather conditions, or one driver’s decision to speed excessively.
Beyond that, they’re often extremely sudden. These kinds of accidents may occur without warning, and drivers (and passengers) will often have little to no time to react or brace themselves.
On top of that, the emotional impact, property damage, and risk of wrongful death topples out to make head-on collisions one of the most traumatizing types of car accidents you can experience.
Unfortunately, head-on collisions also often result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the combined force of both vehicles involved. Victims may suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
Meanwhile, these accidents also often cause extensive damage to the drivers’ vehicles and sometimes result in total loss. Repairing or replacing a car can be expensive, as well as time-consuming.
After a Head-on Collision: The Road to Compensation
After any accident, the road to securing compensation for your damages will be a difficult, frustrating journey. Luckily, your attorney can help streamline the way ahead.
The first step will be understanding how insurance and compensation go hand in hand.
In Georgia, all drivers are required to have auto insurance that meets certain minimum coverage levels. These include
- Bodily Injury Liability: This coverage will compensate another driver for injuries or fatalities caused in an accident where you were found to be at fault.
- Property Damage Liability: This coverage will cover the damage caused to another person’s property when you are responsible for the accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Finally, this coverage will come into play where the at-fault driver is uninsured or lacks sufficient insurance to cover your damages.
What if I Get Into a Head-on Collision With an Uninsured Driver?
Well, this is exactly where your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage will come into play. Without this coverage, if the other driver is unable to cover the costs of your medical bills or vehicle repairs, you could be stuck with the bill.
However, after an accident with an uninsured — or underinsured driver (i.e., a driver with barebones that will not cover significant expenses, repairs, or costs) — your policy will step in to bridge the gap left by the other driver’s coverage. This may be all you need to ensure that you receive compensation for any remaining medical expenses, property damage, or other losses.
How Will My Atlanta Head-on Collision Accident Lawyer Help Me Secure Compensation for My Damages?
First, your attorney will need to calculate your total damages. This means creating a comprehensive list of all of your economic and non-economic losses.
Your ‘economic damages’ will include all of the quantifiable damages you’ve incurred due to the accident. These include medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, property damage, and lost wages.
Every receipt and invoice will be reviewed to ensure that no legitimate cost is left unaccounted for.
On the flip side, your non-economic damages can be challenging to quantify. These traditionally encompass intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life.
Depending on the details of your case, your attorney will work to assign a fair and justifiable value to each of these aspects. Once they have a clear understanding of the total damages, your Atlanta personal injury lawyer will then begin to negotiate with the relevant insurance company — and this is where they’ll shine.
At this point, insurance companies will often aim to settle your claim for the lowest possible amount. But your attorney will know better.
Your lawyer will use their legal acumen to present a compelling case backed by evidence and ultimately endeavor to demonstrate the extent of your losses while highlighting the at-fault party’s liability. They’ll fight to counteract these tactics and advocate fiercely on your behalf while wielding their knowledge of the law to secure any compensation you may be owed.
Head-on Collisions: Georgia-Specific Laws and Regulations
While the nature of your specific accident may require your attorney to pull additional rules, codes, or legal regulations into play, there are a few laws that govern most situations.
For example, the majority of head-on collisions will involve some element of right-of-way. So, by reviewing Georgia’s right-of-way laws — as outlined in Title 40, Chapter 6 of Georgia’s Legal Code — your attorney may be able to argue that the other driver’s negligence was the main cause of your accident.
Similarly, Title 40, Chapter 6 also includes a section entitled “Passing, Use of Lanes, and Following Too Closely.” Housed in Article 3 of Chapter 6, this section details the provisions and regulations that govern the safe passing of vehicles.
If the other driver can be found to be at odds with these rules, your attorney will make sure to use this legal code to your advantage. Finally, make sure to note that Georgia law mandates that any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500 must file a crash report with the Georgia Department of Transportation within a specific timeframe.
If you’ve contacted your attorney immediately after the accident occurred, they should be able to help you file this report on time, as well as any insurance documents or reports that may also require users to meet a specific deadline.
Contact an Atlanta Head-on Collision Law Firm Today
If you’re looking to start the long road to recovery after a particularly traumatic head-on collision, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today.
At the CEO Personal Injury Law Firm, we can help you keep your Atlanta car accident claim as organized as possible and work with you and your family to gather all of the evidence, documents, and other information you’ll need to build a strong claim.
To reach out to our team, simply call (404) 777-8800 or use this link. From there, we can help you schedule a free, confidential case evaluation — with no obligation required.
