If you or a loved one was seriously hurt in a head-on collision in Lawrenceville, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Head-on crashes are among the deadliest types of motor vehicle accidents, often causing catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken bones. Our Lawrenceville personal injury law firm helps people and families recover after these devastating wrecks. Contact Butler Kahn at (678) 400-6166 for a free consultation.
Head-on collisions are intense. But they are not the most common type of accident. In a recent year, head-on collisions accounted for roughly one in ten motor vehicle accidents in our country.
Although head-on crashes do not frequently happen, they can be devastating when they do occur. These crashes are the second most deadly type of auto accident, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In Gwinnett County, dangerous roads like State Route 316, Sugarloaf Parkway, and Lawrenceville Highway see head-on crashes when drivers cross the center line or make improper turns.
Injuries from head-on collisions are frequently painful and distressing. Head-on crashes frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other catastrophic harm. Common injuries include:
The force involved in these accidents often makes even minor injuries more painful than in lower-impact accidents. When two vehicles collide head-on, the combined speed creates tremendous impact forces that cause severe damage to vehicle occupants.
Leading Causes of Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions often occur when a car crosses another traffic lane and hits a vehicle going in the opposite direction. They also happen when cars turn the wrong way on one-way streets or highway ramps. In Lawrenceville and throughout Gwinnett County, we see these crashes on busy corridors like State Route 20, Scenic Highway, and near the Lawrenceville Square.
These incidents have many causes, such as:
Distraction — Talking, texting, or any other action other than watching the road can cause a driver to take a wrong turn or float into another lane. Georgia’s hands-free law prohibits holding a phone while driving, but distracted driving remains a leading cause of accidents.
Intoxication — Impaired drivers may miss a one-way sign or drive the wrong way on a highway off-ramp, causing accidents. Drunk driving crashes often result in punitive damages in Georgia.
Confusion — It is easy to get turned around in a new city. Also, poor sign visibility and construction can disrupt driving and lead drivers down the wrong streets.
Fatigue — A shocking 20 percent of drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, according to the Sleep Foundation. Driving while drowsy can greatly increase the risk of a head-on crash, especially on long stretches of I-85 or State Route 316.
Weather — Fog, heavy rain, snow, and other inclement weather can make staying in a lane or following signs correctly more difficult.
Improper passing — Passing other cars when it is not allowed or when a driver doesn’t have a good lookout risks a head-on collision with oncoming traffic.
Reckless driving — Speeding and other reckless behavior make it more likely that a driver will lose control and end up in the wrong lane.
Other causes may be beyond a driver’s control. For instance, poor road marking, inadequate signage, and mechanical failures can all cause head-on accidents. When a vehicle defect contributes to a crash, the manufacturer may share liability for your injuries.
How Do You Establish Fault in a Head-On Collision Lawsuit?
Impaired, careless, or fatigued drivers are typically the negligent parties in head-on collisions. Usually, one driver is at fault for the accident. For example, the fault is obvious if a driver takes the wrong way on a one-way road. Understanding how fault is determined in Georgia is essential to building a strong case.
But cases involving weather, unclear signage, or poor road conditions make fault less clear. These cases require careful consideration of the facts to ensure the correct parties are held responsible. A police crash report often contains critical information about fault, but it is not the final word on who is responsible.
Multiple drivers could be at fault as well. For example, suppose a driver swerves to miss a driver coming into their lane and hits another driver head-on. The driver whose car was struck may be able to seek compensation from the driver who swerved and the driver who caused the swerve.
In Georgia, courts follow a comparative negligence law under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. Under this law, if the court awards you compensation, it will reduce it according to the percentage of your fault in the accident. However, you cannot recover any compensation if you are responsible for 50 percent or more of the injuries and damage caused by the accident.
What Compensation Can I Secure Through a Head-On Collision Lawsuit?
Head-on collisions frequently cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods. Understanding what types of compensation are available helps you know what your case may be worth. Personal injury awards often include:
Medical costs — Emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, and future medical care
Lost wages — Income you missed while recovering, including sick days and vacation time used
Pain and suffering — Physical pain and discomfort from your injuries
Emotional distress — Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological effects of the crash
Diminished wage capacity — If you are left disabled and cannot work at your previous level
Funeral costs and final medical bills — In wrongful death cases, families can recover these expenses plus loss of companionship
Cases may settle early with an insurance company. If that doesn’t occur, then the case can go to trial. Our attorneys have experience with both insurance negotiations and trial preparation and can assist you through both processes.
What Is the Time Limit for Filing My Head-On Collision Case?
You must file a lawsuit for injuries or wrongful death from a head-on collision in Lawrenceville within two years of the accident under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. This is Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation entirely.
However, that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute. Settlement negotiations can take months and don’t usually conclude until you finish recovering physically. Collecting medical records, wage information, and evidence regarding your pain and suffering can also take time. Starting that process early is the best approach to these cases. Learn more about how long a personal injury case takes in Georgia.
What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Head-On Collision?
The steps you take immediately after a head-on crash can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Here is what you should do:
If you are injured, stay in your car — You don’t want to risk further injury. Wait for medical assistance. Do not worry about moving your car if you cannot do so.
Call the police — The officer who reports to the scene will submit a report and document the accident. Many insurance companies won’t evaluate your claim without this report.
Seek medical treatment — Head-on collisions frequently lead to severe injuries, many of which you may not notice right away. Internal injuries and head trauma may not be readily apparent when you are running on adrenaline. Even if you can walk without assistance and feel fine, an emergency room visit documents the accident and what happened to you. It can also help establish your claim later. Northside Hospital Gwinnett and other local facilities can provide immediate care.
Follow up with your medical care — Once you have established treatment, attend your appointments consistently. If you have nightmares, heightened anxiety, or fear about driving, do not ignore those symptoms. Seek mental health support. It’s not unusual for people to develop intrusive thoughts and feelings after a significant car wreck.
Contact a lawyer — Before giving any recorded statements to insurance companies, speak with a Lawrenceville car accident lawyer who can protect your rights and handle communications with adjusters.
Head-On Collision Cases We Handle in Gwinnett County
Butler Kahn represents head-on collision victims throughout Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, and the surrounding areas of Northeast Metro Atlanta. Our attorneys handle cases involving crashes on local roads and highways, including:
Cities and Communities We Serve
Lawrenceville
Suwanee
Duluth
Snellville
Grayson
Loganville
Lilburn
Norcross
Buford
Dacula
Auburn
Sugar Hill
Dangerous Roads and Highways
Head-on collisions frequently occur on these Gwinnett County roads:
State Route 316
State Route 20
Sugarloaf Parkway
Scenic Highway
Lawrenceville Highway
Pleasant Hill Road
Highway 29
Jimmy Carter Boulevard
I-85 through Gwinnett County
We also handle head-on collision cases from accidents near the Gwinnett County Courthouse, Sugarloaf Mills, and other high-traffic areas where these crashes tend to happen.
Our Lawrenceville Office
Butler Kahn – Lawrenceville Personal Injury Lawyers
245 W. Crogan Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: (678) 400-6166
Our Lawrenceville office is located near the historic Lawrenceville Square and the Gwinnett County Courthouse. We serve clients throughout Gwinnett County and can meet with you at our office or arrange a phone or video consultation if travel is difficult due to your injuries.
Our Lawrenceville Head-On Collision Lawyers Can Help You
Few accidents are as devastating as head-on collisions. You are likely hurt and wondering where to turn for help. At Butler Kahn, our concern is that you get the care you need while you recover from your injuries. We take fewer cases on purpose so we can do deeper work on each one, and we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.
If you feel overwhelmed or have questions, we can review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand the role we can play in seeking the compensation you deserve. We also handle cases in Atlanta, Roswell, and Jonesboro if your accident occurred elsewhere in Metro Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions About Head-On Collisions
The driver who crossed into oncoming traffic is typically at fault in a head-on collision. This includes drivers who were distracted, intoxicated, fatigued, or driving recklessly. However, multiple parties can share fault if another driver’s actions forced someone into oncoming traffic or if a vehicle defect contributed to the crash.
Yes, Georgia allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were less than 50 percent responsible. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and your damages totaled $100,000, you could recover $80,000.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage. Georgia law requires insurance companies to offer this coverage, and it can be essential protection after a serious crash.
Most head-on collision cases take anywhere from several months to a few years to resolve, depending on the severity of injuries, the complexity of fault, and whether the case goes to trial. Serious injury cases often take longer because it’s important to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement before settling.
You should be careful when speaking with insurance adjusters. While you need to report the accident to your own insurer, you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Adjusters often try to get you to say something that could hurt your case. It’s best to speak with a lawyer first.
Key evidence includes the police crash report, photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage, witness statements, medical records, traffic camera or dashcam footage, and the other driver’s cell phone records if distraction is suspected. Preserving this evidence quickly is important.
Yes. Georgia law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. The spouse typically has the first right to bring the claim, followed by children or parents.
Cases involving commercial trucks are more complex because multiple parties may be liable, including the truck driver, trucking company, and cargo loaders. Truck accident cases also involve federal regulations and higher insurance limits. These cases require prompt investigation before evidence is lost.
Punitive damages may be available if the at-fault driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or intentional, such as drunk driving or extreme speeding. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior, and they are separate from compensation for your actual losses.
While you can handle a minor fender-bender on your own, head-on collisions typically cause serious injuries that require significant compensation. Insurance companies often undervalue these claims or deny them entirely. A lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and take your case to trial if necessary.
We handle head-on collision cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This allows you to get experienced legal representation without any upfront costs.
Head-on collisions involve the combined force of two vehicles traveling toward each other, creating much higher impact forces than other collision types. This is why they cause more severe injuries and fatalities. They also tend to have clearer fault determinations since one vehicle typically crossed into oncoming traffic.
