Charlotte Head-On Collision Accident Lawyers can Assist Those Hurt in Crashes

Because of the extreme forces involved, head-on motor vehicle crashes are often the most injurious and deadly types of crashes seen on American roadways. A range of different factors can cause head-on collisions, ranging from drivers suffering medical emergencies while driving to drivers who fall asleep or who are distracted while driving, to persons driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, who are speeding, or who are driving recklessly.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury from a head-on collision in Charlotte, North Carolina, the best thing you can do to protect the legal rights of persons involved in a crash is contact an experienced car accident lawyer. The legal professionals at Arnold & Smith, PLLC possess decades of experience advocating for car accident victims in the greater Charlotte area. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation and learn how we can advocate for your rights.

Head-on collisions often feature an extreme amount of force, resulting from the colliding of vehicles that may be traveling at high speeds. The heads of drivers and passengers may slam into objects within a vehicle, and the snapping of heads in one or more directions can, sadly, cause fatal injuries to the spinal cord. Glass shards from broken windshields and windows can cause deep lacerations.

The shockwave caused by a head-on collision can cause a victim’s brain to crash violently against the inside of the skull, resulting in a brain hemorrhage. Internal organ damage can occur when a person’s body slams against a seat belt, against the side of a car, or against an airbag. If airbags fail to deploy, victims of head-on collisions can suffer fatal blunt-force injuries to the head.

Many victims of head-on collision suffer significant neck and back injuries. The neck area is vulnerable to injury because seat belts do not restrain the head. In many head-on collisions, a person's neck will snap forward and quickly snap back, causing nerve and tissue damage that results in whiplash. In severe cases, the force of a head-on collision can cause spinal cord damage, impinging the nerve signals between a person's body and brain. Depending on the spinal cord damage location, a person could become paralyzed and require ongoing care.

Broken bones and lacerations are also common in head-on collisions. When one or both cars are traveling over 45 miles per hour, the force of the impact can cause a person's bones to snap. Even when drivers and passengers are wearing seatbelts, they may suffer from broken bones, especially around the pelvis area. Head-on collision victims can also suffer bruises, cuts, and abrasions from shattered glass and from slamming into the steering wheel or dashboard. When a glass shard cuts a major artery, a head-on collision victim is at risk of dying from blood loss or suffering significant, life-changing injuries.

Under North Carolina law, the victim of a head-on collision can recover damages from the at-fault driver who caused the car accident. Claimants should be aware, however, that North Carolina also follows a legal doctrine called pure contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, those who contributed to the accident cannot recover any damages from the other party who was at fault. In other words, even if the other driver was ninety-five percent (95 %) at fault, and the victim was only five percent (5 %) at fault, the victim will not be able to recover compensation from the other driver. This rule makes it extremely challenging to recover compensation in some cases. Defendants can argue that a victim was partially at fault to prohibit one from recovering compensation for one’s injuries. One of the best things one can do after a head-on collision is hire an experienced lawyer who will advocate on behalf of an accident victim and help obtain the best result possible in the circumstances.

An injured person must prove the other driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the car accident that resulted in one’s injuries. One of the best ways to prove negligence is to conduct a thorough investigation into the car accident.

The legal professionals at Arnold & Smith, PLLC possess the tools necessary to investigate and prepare a case for in-court litigation. We can interview witnesses, hire an accident reconstructionist, and discover any video evidence of the car accident to show that the at-fault driver was responsible for one’s injuries.

If an injured person is filing an insurance claim, we will negotiate with the insurance company on one’s behalf and protect one’s right to file a legal claim. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.