As defined by Fort Collins and Colorado law, a head-on collision is when the front of a car strikes the front of another car. This could be a straight head-on collision, or it could be an angled collision in which the front corner of a car hits some section of the front of another car. Head-on collisions are one of the more common forms of vehicle crashes.
As with any vehicular accident the wreck could result in severe injuries that could change your life forever. If you were injured in a front-end collision that was not your fault, consult with a Fort Collins head-on collision lawyer to learn about your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and physical impairment after filing a lawsuit with a car accident lawyer.
Common Facts of Head-On Collisions in Fort Collins
Two of the most common scenarios for head-on collisions are when one driver is driving the wrong way on a street, either one or two way, or if two drivers are trying to beat a stoplight. Fort Collins has many places where drivers often attempt to beat a yellow light, end up running a red light, and cause a head-on wreck in the middle of the intersection.
Drunk driving is also another common scenario involving head-on collisions such as when a drunk driver crosses out of their lane into oncoming traffic and an accident results. Near Fort Collins, there have been several drunk driving crashes involving drivers on Interstate 25 not only running out of their lane but crossing the median and striking oncoming traffic in the opposite direction.
Why are Fort Collins Mountain Roads So Dangerous?
Fort Collins is at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, so there are a lot of curvy mountain roads running outside of Fort Collins. Poudre Canyon, Rist Canyon, and Big Thompson Canyon are examples. The roads are curvy and some drivers cross the line unintentionally, hitting other cars head-on. Curvy mountain roads are especially dangerous when drivers are impaired by drugs, alcohol, or even fatigue, as impairment of attention, concentration, judgment, and reaction significantly increases the risk that they will cross the center line and hit oncoming traffic.
What Kind of Head-On Accident Injuries Can Occur?
Head-on collisions often injure the head of the drivers and front-seat passengers. These collisions are generally high speed meaning a person may hit their head on an airbag, windshield, steering wheel, or dashboard. Even with the presence of safety features such as seatbelts and airbags, injury is still possible when these systems fail or due to the intensity of the accident. Hits to the head might result in a concussion, contusions, maxillofacial damage, and traumatic brain injuries.
Many drivers also hurt their wrists, hands, elbows, and arms in head-on collisions in Fort Collins. When drivers or passengers have their hands on the wheel or dashboard, they could be impacted directly by the collision or the bones and joints of their hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders could be impacted against each other, causing injury. Knees may also slam into the dashboard, potentially injuring the knees, legs, and hips. As a general rule, the higher the speed and impact a collision has, the more damage a person will sustain.
Determining Liability in Fort Collins Car Collision Cases
Insurance companies assign fault based upon the negligence of the parties. In a head-on collision, the first thing that insurance companies and law enforcement agencies look at is who was in what lane of traffic and who crossed what lane of traffic. If a driver crossed over their lane of traffic into another lane and the other car was in the proper lane of travel, the driver that crossed over is almost always held at fault.
If the accident occurs in an intersection and there are no direct eyewitnesses or cameras showing what happened, assigning blame may be more difficult. In this case, police and insurance investigators will analyze what facts are available at the scene to determine what happened. Proving fault in these cases may require the expense of hiring an accident reconstructionist.
Some other factors that might impact liability in head-on collision cases in Fort Collins are attempting left turns in front of oncoming traffic, texting while driving, talking on a cell phone while driving, eating or drinking while driving, and other forms of distracted driving. In head-on collisions, higher speeds and higher impact forces are often evidence of a person’s carelessness or recklessness of driving. In Fort Collins, a head-on collision lawyer could help victims identify any liable parties to hold them accountable for financial damages.
How an Attorney Could Help Head-On Collision Victims
Some of the first steps an attorney could take in a Fort Collins head-on collision case is to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Attorneys may not be able to get an investigator to the scene immediately as victims may be facing medical issues and police investigation, but our team could obtain accident reports and start building a case from that evidence.
If you were injured in a front-end collision with another driver, call a Fort Collins head-on collision lawyer to start pursuing the compensation you need and the justice you deserve. Medical bills and lost wages can stack up to be a significant financial burden, but damages may offer relief. Call today to schedule a consultation for your case.