Manassas, Virginia Head-On Accident Lawyers

Attorneys Helping People Injured in Head-On Collisions in Manassas

Of all the motor vehicle accidents that occur on Virginia roads, head-on collisions are among the most catastrophic. In these cases, the combined force of both vehicles will be concentrated into a single violent impact. The results can be devastating, and they may include severe injuries that will require months or years of recovery or permanent disabilities that can drastically affect a person's daily life. In the worst cases, head-on accidents can lead to wrongful death, leaving a family shattered and searching for answers.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our attorneys stand beside victims of head-on collisions and their loved ones through every stage of the legal process. We investigate these crashes thoroughly and take steps to obtain compensation that will fully address our clients' losses.

Why Head-On Collisions Can Cause Serious Harm

The severity of many motor vehicle accidents will be based on the speed and mass of a single vehicle that collides with another vehicle. Head-on collisions are fundamentally different. When two vehicles traveling toward each other collide, the force of impact speed will be based on the speed of both vehicles at the moment of contact.

When two cars that are each traveling at 40 miles per hour collide head-on, they will produce an impact equivalent to a single vehicle traveling at 80 miles per hour. The human body is not built to absorb that kind of energy, and as a result, people involved in these accidents are likely to suffer catastrophic injuries.

Modern vehicles are engineered with crumple zones that are designed to absorb the energy of a crash, as well as other protective features. In lower-speed collisions, these systems can provide protection. However, in high-speed head-on crashes, the forces may be too great for safety features to fully protect a person. The result is often a combination of injuries affecting multiple body systems.

Forms of Driver Negligence That Can Lead to Head-On Crashes

Head-on collisions are not accidents in the sense that they simply happen without cause. In the majority of cases, they occur because of a driver's negligent or reckless behavior. Identifying the specific form of negligence involved is a critical part of building a successful injury claim.

Crossing the Center Line

The most direct cause of a head-on collision is a driver whose vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic. This can happen gradually when a driver is not fully paying attention, or a vehicle may veer into oncoming lanes suddenly when a driver overcorrects or loses control. On undivided roads without medians or barriers, there may be nothing to prevent a vehicle from drifting into the path of other vehicles.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol and drug impairment can interfere with a person's spatial awareness and motor control, leading a driver to stray into oncoming traffic. A drunk driver may lose track of their lane position, lose control during curves, or become disoriented and enter traffic in the wrong direction. Impaired driving is a leading factor in wrong-way crashes on highways, and these crashes are likely to result in fatalities.

Drowsy and Fatigued Driving

A driver who falls asleep at the wheel or whose attention fades in and out due to fatigue may drift across the center line. When a driver has fallen asleep, they will not be able to take any corrective actions, and they may strike an oncoming vehicle at full speed.

Distracted Driving

A driver who is reading a text message, reaching for an object, adjusting their radio, or engaging in other activities may drift across the road before they are even aware of what is happening. By the time a distracted driver looks up and recognizes the danger, they may be unable to correct their course, and they may collide with an oncoming vehicle.

Improper Passing

Two-lane roads require drivers to cross into oncoming traffic temporarily when passing slower vehicles. In these situations, drivers will need to accurately judge the distance and speed of other vehicles. A driver who misjudges gaps in traffic, passes in a no-passing zone, or attempts to pass at an excessive speed may find themselves in the path of oncoming traffic with no room to return to their lane. Without any room to maneuver, the vehicles may be unable to avoid a head-on collision.

Speeding and Loss of Vehicle Control

When speeding, a driver's ability to navigate curves and respond to changes on the road may cause them to lose control. A driver who enters a curve too fast may be unable to keep their vehicle within their lane, and they may skid into the path of oncoming traffic. At high speeds, drivers will have less time to take corrective actions, and they will be more likely to lose control and cause a head-on crash.

Catastrophic Injuries in Head-On Collisions

The severity of head-on crashes can lead to life-altering injuries, including:

Crush Injuries and Amputations

When a vehicle is crushed during a severe head-on collision, occupants may sustain severe injuries to the lower extremities, pelvis, and abdomen. Limbs that are trapped or crushed may be damaged so severely that surgical amputation will be necessary. Crush injuries can also lead to internal bleeding, infections, and other long-term complications.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

The extreme compression forces generated in a head-on crash can lead to serious spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal cord at any level can lead to partial or complete paralysis below the point of injury. Cervical spine injuries in the neck carry the risk of paralysis affecting all four limbs, a condition known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia. Spine injuries in the middle or lower back may result in paraplegia or paralysis of the legs and lower body. Spinal cord injuries can also result in complications affecting bladder and bowel function, respiratory health, and chronic pain.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

The violent impact forces of a head-on collision can lead to brain injuries when a person strikes their head on the interior of their vehicle. These injuries may involve bruising, bleeding, or tearing of neural tissue. They can have long-term or permanent effects on a person's intellectual abilities, memory, speech and language processing, emotional regulation, and physical coordination.

Chest and Abdominal Injuries

The steering wheel, airbags, or seatbelts can lead to serious injuries during a head-on collision. Broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and ruptures to the aorta or major abdominal organs like the spleen, liver, and kidneys can occur in these crashes.

Facial Injuries and Broken Bones

Facial fractures, lacerations, dental injuries, and eye trauma are common due to airbag deployment and contact with a vehicle's interior surfaces during a high-force head-on crash. Multiple fractures may occur in arms, legs, hips, or other parts of the body. Extensive rehabilitation may be needed to regain function and range of motion.

Contact Our Manassas, VA Head-On Collision Attorneys

The aftermath of a head-on crash can be overwhelming, and victims may be unsure about where to turn for help. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our attorneys can take on the legal burdens involved in a car accident, including investigating the collision, establishing liability by the other driver, and working to obtain the full compensation needed to address the damages that have occurred. Contact our Manassas head-on car accident lawyers at 703-392-6686 to arrange a free consultation.