Although not every motorist may see a head-on truck accident coming, these individuals will undoubtedly feel the impact of this horrifying collision. Trucks are massive vehicles that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. As a result, the consequences are often disastrous when these trucks are involved in a head-on crash. In fact, head-on trucking accidents are typically considered one of the most deadly collisions on the roads.
That is why, if you or a family member have sustained injuries in a head-on truck collision, or you lost a loved one because of this accident, you may have the right to pursue legal action against the wrongful party and seek compensation for the losses and damages you endured.
With a skilled truck accident attorney on your team, you will not have to take on this challenging legal battle alone.
Common Causes of Head-On Truck Collisions
A head-on crash, also referred to as a frontal collision, is a type of accident that occurs when two vehicles driving in opposite directions crash into each other. These accidents not only happen with automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles, but also occur when a vehicle strikes a stationary object, such as a cement barrier, pole, or tree.
Yet, although these head-on truck accidents can occur for many reasons, in general, they tend to result from:
#1. Distracted Driving
Truck drivers are known to drive for long times across long distances. However, when these drives happen for days on end, it can often cause boredom, which can lead to distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road, including texting, eating, changing the radio station, or checking the navigation system while driving.
Consequently, if a truck driver glances away from the road for even a second or begins to zone out behind the wheel, the likelihood of a head-on crash can increase significantly, jeopardizing the safety of others.
#2. Drunk Driving
Alcohol is a substance that can reduce the brain’s function and impair reasoning, thinking, and muscle coordination, abilities that are critical to operating a motor vehicle or truck safely.
If a truck driver decides to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, it can significantly impact their ability to make safe decisions as they are driving, which can result in debilitating head-on truck collisions.
#3. Fatigued Driving
Although federal regulations mandate the number of breaks a trucker must take and the amount of time a trucker can drive in one shift, truckers often violate these regulations. Because these truck drivers often have strict deadlines set by the trucking companies or their clients, many truckers decide to forgo this rest to ensure that they deliver their goods and products on time.
However, when these truckers skip these breaks or skimp on the amount of sleep they get, it can result in them suffering a loss of coordination, lead to slower reaction times, and even cause them to fall asleep behind the wheel, which can lead to tragic head-on collisions.
#4. Driving at Excessive Speeds and Ignoring the Rules of the Road
Truck drivers often operate under rigid timelines, regardless of poor weather conditions or traffic jams during the trip. However, when these delays cause these truckers to fall behind schedule, the pressure of meeting their target delivery goals can cause some of these drivers to ignore the rules of the road so that they can get to their destination faster. As a result, truckers may decide to drive at excessive speeds, proceed through red lights and stop signs, or leave their assigned lane, which can often cause a deadly head-on crash.
#5. Faulty Parts and Machinery
If a truck or its parts are defective, it can put everyone on the roads in danger. Unfortunately, these malfunctions are typically not apparent to the naked eye. That is why truck companies are supposed to inspect their trucks regularly to ensure that everything is in good working condition. Sadly, it is not uncommon for these companies to put off these necessary checks because of the costs and time involved in making them.
#6. Poor Weather Conditions
Weather conditions, such as rain, fog, or snow, can make it difficult for any motorist to control a vehicle. However, when truck drivers must face these poor conditions, it can become almost impossible to drive safely. For instance, water on the roads can cause a truck to spin out and lose control, ultimately resulting in a deadly head-on crash.
Common Injuries Resulting From a Head-On Truck Accident
Head-on collisions are usually known to result in severe injuries. However, when this accident involves a truck, the disastrous results can cause life-changing injuries and excruciating pain.
Yet, while the severity of these injuries will typically depend on the circumstances of the accident, some of the more common injuries that tend to result from a head-on truck collision include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord damage
- Significant lacerations
- Burns
- Neck and back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Crushing injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
In addition, many of these injuries can lead to paralysis, other significant health consequences, and even death. For these reasons, if you or a loved one sustained severe trauma in a head-on trucking collision, you should reach out to an experienced head-on truck accident attorney as soon as possible. These lawyers can not only help determine the extent of your injuries and losses following a head-on trucking accident, but they can also fight hard to recover the maximum compensation you need following this devastating collision.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Legal Rights Following a Head-On Trucking Accident?
Although the last thing anyone wants to think about following a head-on trucking accident is what they have to do after a crash, taking the right steps can keep you safe and protect your legal rights. As a result, following a head-on trucking collision, you should consider doing the following:
Contact 911
After a head-on truck accident, you should contact 911 right away. This one call will not only alert the police and medical personnel of the accident, but it can also get your crash on record.
Once the authorities arrive, they will get you the help you need and perform a preliminary investigation into the crash, writing down their findings in their police report. If you decide to pursue legal action after this head-on collision, this report can provide you and your attorney with valuable details regarding the accident and what happened.
Gather Evidence From the Scene
Following a head-on trucking accident, it is likely that the injuries you sustain may be so severe that you will not be able to do anything following the crash. However, in the rare instance where you do not require emergency medical treatment after the collision, you should use your cell phone camera to collect as much evidence from the scene as you can.
This evidence should include photos and videos of:
- Your visible injuries
- The vehicles involved in the accident and their placement on the road
- The weather conditions at the time of the incident
- Skid marks on the street
- Road defects
- Traffic signs near the area, and
- Any other evidence that shows what happened.
However, if you cannot obtain this evidence because of your injuries, do not worry. Once you retain an experienced trucking accident lawyer, these legal professionals can take on this investigation for you and work to secure this necessary evidence.
Exchange Information With Others, but Watch What You Say
After a head-on truck collision, you should also try to exchange information with all those involved in the accident. This means getting people’s names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information.
In addition, if there were witnesses present at the scene, who saw what happened, you will want to also get their names and phone numbers. These individuals can often provide your attorney with further details about the crash and provide testimony that can help substantiate your claim.
Yet, as you talk to these witnesses and drivers after the accident, you will want to make sure you watch what you say, as the comments and statements you make can impact your case and the amount of money you can receive. For these reasons, you should avoid making any definitive statements about what happened, taking the blame for the accident, or apologizing for anything.
Get to A Doctor As Soon As Possible
If your injuries are significant following the head-on trucking collision, you will want to immediately head to the emergency room for further care. However, if the authorities at the scene do not directly transport you to the hospital following the accident, get to a doctor as soon as possible.
Even if your injuries appear minor, you may have sustained severe trauma that has not yet manifested, such as a brain injury. However, the longer you wait to get this condition checked over, the more debilitating and deadly it can become. For these reasons, it is in your best interest to not delay getting medical treatment following a head-on trucking accident.
Plus, getting to a doctor after this crash will also provide you with a chain of evidence that can help prove when your accident took place and establish a direct connection between your injuries and the head-on trucking collision when you file your truck accident claim.
Fight for the Justice and Financial Damages You Deserve Following a Head-On Trucking Accident
If you want to bring a successful injury claim following a head-on trucking collision, you need to be able to prepare sound legal arguments and provide detailed and relevant evidence that can show what happened and who was at fault for your injuries and losses. Yet, as a victim of this horrifying accident, this is probably the last thing you want to worry about.
Fortunately, with an experienced head-on truck accident lawyer on your side, you will not have to stress about taking on this complicated legal fight on your own. Instead, you can focus on what matters most, such as getting the medical care you need while your attorneys go after the monetary damages you deserve.
Once you retain one of our experienced truck accident attorneys, they can:
- Determine if you have a viable legal claim and help you figure out the legal options you should pursue.
- Go over all of your questions and concerns and provide you with the legal support you need during this challenging time.
- Investigate your head-on truck collision and obtain the evidence needed to prove fault and damages.
- Hire experts to validate your claim, including accident reconstructionists, doctors, and financial specialists.
- Properly prepare and file all of your required legal documents and motions with the court before time expires.
- Take on all the discussions and negotiations with the other side, as well as the insurance company, and go after a fair settlement offer.
- Proceed to trial if the other side is unwilling to negotiate fairly and fight for a successful resolution to your legal case.
If a head-on truck accident disrupts your life or the life of a loved one, do not wait any longer to get the legal help you need. Instead, reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney for your free case consultation and let these lawyers show you how they can help you fight for the justice and financial recovery that you deserve.
