Head-On Car Accident Attorneys in Rock Hill

Car accidents are always bad news. Even minor fender benders can cause a great deal of annoyance and inconvenience. However, head-on collisions are some of the worst types of accidents that happen on our roads in and around Rock Hill. These accidents occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the front of another vehicle. The impact typically causes immense property damage, and drivers and passengers can be left with severe injuries.

Fortunately, these crashes don’t happen as often as other types of wrecks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), 13 percent of all fatal rural accidents are due to head-on collisions. In urban areas, only seven percent of all deadly wrecks involve a head-on car crash. When they do occur, someone is often at fault. Motor vehicle accident victims can file a claim against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for the expenses they will face in the coming months.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a head-on collision, contact our experienced Rock Hill personal injury attorney at McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC, for a timely and consultation. We can handle all aspects of your case while you focus on your health and your family. We are here for you.

What are Some Common Causes of Head-On Car Accidents in South Carolina?

Most head-on collisions are caused by a driver’s negligence. Drivers must remain attentive and focused at all times behind the wheel. When they don’t, it often ends in tragedy. Below are some of the most common causes of head-on accidents in South Carolina:

• Distracted driving – Even with all the awareness today about the dangers of distracted driving, it’s a practice some drivers still engage in. It can include looking at a phone, eating, or becoming distracted by small children or other passengers in the car.
• Severe weather conditions – South Carolina is no stranger to severe weather. Tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical storms, high winds and thunderstorms all affect a driver’s ability behind the wheel. Bad weather makes the roads slippery and reduces visibility. Drivers must still be prepared to drive safely, or they should not drive at all.
• Impaired driving – Drugs and alcohol greatly affect a driver’s reaction time, judgment and more. Drunk drivers can drift into lanes of oncoming traffic, or they can turn the wrong way onto one-way streets and cause a fatal car accident.
• Driving while drowsy – Fatigued driving is a huge problem on the roads. Many head-on motor vehicle crashes are caused by drivers that actually fell asleep behind the wheel. No longer just a problem among truck drivers, all drivers must stop when they feel tired, get rest, and recharge before heading back out onto the road.
• Aggressive driving – Tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, cutting other drivers off, and changing lanes or turning at the very last second are all considered forms of aggressive driving. These drivers are unpredictable. They can easily cause a head-on collision.
• Speeding – When a driver speeds, the driver increases the chance of severe injuries after this type of accident. If two cars hit each other head-on while traveling 50 mph, it is similar to one vehicle hitting a stationary object while traveling 100 mph.
• Failure to obey the rules of the road – Traffic signs and signals are on the roads to help keep people safe. When someone ignores them, the effects are catastrophic.

Most of these causes of head-on collisions are the direct result of driver negligence. When they occur, injured individuals can hold the negligent driver and their insurance company responsible for paying compensation for any losses they incurred due to the accident. At McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC, our car accident lawyers can explain how the claims process works in South Carolina, and we can help you to explore all sources of compensation available to you.

What Injuries Occur From a Front-End Car Collision?

Most front-end car collisions end in tragedy. When accident victims survive a head-on crash, they typically suffer one or more of the following common injuries:

• Whiplash – This may sound like a minor injury, but it’s not. During a head-on collision, the head and neck move forward and backward in quick succession, while the body remains in place. This movement can cause ligaments in the back, neck, and head to become stretched. Without treatment, the pain may never go away.
• Spinal cord injuries – During a head-on collision, the discs in the spinal cord can become crushed, ruptured, or herniated. In severe crashes, the vertebrae in the spine can crack or otherwise become damaged. Some accident victims are left paralyzed after this type of crash.
• Traumatic brain injuries – Often during a front-end car collision, a driver’s head hits the steering wheel with great force. When this happens, the skull can fracture, or it can cause damage to the brain. Traumatic brain injuries are commonly seen after front-end crashes.
• Blunt force trauma – These are typically caused by airbags. The force of the airbag deploying and the force of the victim’s head and other body parts meet. Chest injuries, internal organ damage, and internal bleeding can all occur.
• Broken facial bones – Regardless of whether an airbag deploys, a victim’s face is exposed in a head-on crash, making it vulnerable to injury. Often, the crash leads to permanent scarring, or the victim needs plastic surgery.

These injuries are not only painful. They can also be costly to treat. A head-on car accident lawyer at the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC, can help accident victims to pursue the compensation they need to deal with their injuries.

What Damages are Available After Head-On Car Wrecks?

When drivers or passengers are injured in a head-on car wreck that was the fault of another person, they can hold that person liable for paying damages. These damages are meant to compensate victims for any losses they have incurred.

South Carolina law recognizes that accident victims shouldn’t have to pay for an accident that was not their fault. Some of the main types of damages victims can claim include:

• Medical bills
• Ambulatory and emergency room expenses
• Physical therapy
• Medications
• Medical devices such as a wheelchair
• Cost of ongoing care and treatment
• Property damage (ex: car repair)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

Head-on car wrecks are often caused by a person’s gross negligence. When that is the case, a victim may be eligible to seek punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar behavior in the future. In South Carolina, punitive damages are typically capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages, or $500,000, whichever is greater, although there are some exceptions.

Contact Our Rock Hill Head-On Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been involved in a head-on collision, don’t try to go through the process of filing a lawsuit or an insurance company claim on your own. Our Rock Hill car accident attorneys at the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC, want to help. We will speak to the insurance company on your behalf to pursue a fair settlement, and we will work hard to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the accident. Now is the time for you to focus on your recovery. Let us handle the rest. Contact us today to learn how we can help with your case.

Contact Our Car Accident Injury Law Offices