If you or someone you love has been hurt in a head-on collision, you may be facing physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial uncertainty. Because these crashes often result in fatalities or catastrophic injuries, it’s vital to find a caring attorney who knows how to take on powerful insurance companies. At Moore Law Firm, our car accident lawyers in Mobile, Alabama, approach every case with the compassion and tenacity it deserves. Over the past four decades, we’ve helped more than 15,000 injury victims pursue the full compensation they deserve to heal and move on with peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
- Insurers often use Alabama’s pure contributory negligence law to keep injury victims from recovering any compensation at all.
- Determining and proving fault in a head-on collision is challenging and requires extensive investigation and evidence.
- If you’ve lost a loved one in a head-on crash, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Having an auto accident lawyer in your corner protects your family’s rights.
- Generally, in Alabama, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident or you may permanently lose your right to recover compensation.
- Our personal injury law firm in Mobile, AL, takes cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What Makes Head-On Collisions So Dangerous?
When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions strike each other face-to-face, the results can be devastating, even at lower speeds.
Why These Crashes Cause Catastrophic Harm
When two vehicles collide head-on, the force of impact is the combined speed of both vehicles. For example, if each car is traveling at 50 mph, the combined force of impact is equivalent to 100 mph. That combined force is absorbed by the vehicles and, unfortunately, by the people inside them.
Drivers and Passengers Often Bear the Brunt of Impact
At the moment of impact, both vehicles decelerate almost instantly. However, the occupants inside continue moving forward at the original speed. This means a driver or passenger may violently slam into airbags, the steering wheel, or dashboard. The front ends of both vehicles may crumple inward and compress the space inside. This can be particularly deadly if a large vehicle like a tractor-trailer hits a car head-on.
Metal, glass, and plastic can shatter and become dangerous projectiles. When the point of impact is off-center, both vehicles may spin out of control. This can turn a two-car crash into a multi-vehicle pileup with numerous injuries and fatalities.
Our Mobile car accident attorneys understand the complex mechanics of these crashes and work closely with accident reconstruction experts to build strong, evidence-backed cases for our clients.
Causes of Head-On Collisions in Alabama
Head-on collisions often involve reckless, distracted, or impaired drivers. Some common causes include:
- Wrong-way driving on divided highways or interstates
- Unsafe passing maneuvers on two-lane roads
- Distracted driving, including texting or adjusting in-vehicle controls
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Swerving to avoid road hazards and crossing the center line
- Reckless behavior like street racing
- Vehicles that roll over into oncoming traffic
- Being rear-ended and pushed into opposing lanes
- Poor visibility due to heavy rain, fog, or other weather conditions
Demonstrating what caused a crash is the foundation of a strong claim. Our auto accident lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to investigate every detail and identify all liable parties.
Common Injuries Sustained in Head-On Collisions
Injuries resulting from head-on collisions are often severe and may result in permanent disability or death.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
From concussions to brain damage, a traumatic brain injury can affect memory, cognitive function, emotional regulation, and the ability to work or live independently.
Neck, Back, and Spinal Cord Injuries
Whiplash, herniated discs, and severe soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain and long-term disability. The violent forward and backward motion of a head-on crash can sever or compress the spinal cord, which can result in partial or complete paralysis and a lifetime of medical care.
Broken or Crushed Bones
The feet, legs, and hips of vehicle occupants frequently absorb the force of the crumpling front end and dashboard. Rib, arm, and skull fractures can take months to heal and lead to permanent disability. These types of injuries often require multiple surgeries, extensive physical therapy, nursing care, and even amputation.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
Damage to vital organs and internal bleeding can be fatal. Symptoms of these injuries aren’t always apparent right away, so it’s essential to seek medical care immediately after a crash.
Severe Burns and Disfigurement
Fires and post-crash explosions are a real risk in head-on collisions. In addition to dealing with chronic pain and invasive medical treatment, victims of burns and disfiguring injuries often suffer profound emotional and psychological harm as well.
Our team knows how life-changing a catastrophic injury can be and that the road to recovery is a long journey. We provide the compassionate legal support you need to get through tough times and protect your health and financial security.
Types of Damages in Head-On Collision Accident Claims
A head-on collision can impact every area of a person’s life. Our car accident lawyers ensure your claim is accurately valued to reflect the full scope of the physical, emotional, and financial damages you and your family have suffered.
Our auto accident attorneys help you pursue damages such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Wage loss
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
Wrongful Death
If someone you love was killed in a head-on collision, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. However, the lawsuit must be filed by the deceased person’s estate within two years of the date of death. In Alabama, the only recoverable damages in wrongful death cases are punitive damages. Instead of compensating the family for their losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter them and others from committing similar acts in the future.
Our team handles these tragic cases with sensitivity and determination and helps to ensure your loved one’s story is heard.
Who May Be Liable for a Head-On Collision Accident?
Determining fault in a head-on collision is rarely straightforward. Depending on the circumstances, potentially liable parties may include:
- A driver who crossed into oncoming traffic
- A commercial truck driver and/or their employer
- A municipality or government entity, if poor road maintenance, missing signage, or inadequate lighting contributed to the crash
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer, if a defect caused a driver to lose control
- An establishment that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated driver who caused the crash (dram shop liability)
- Other motorists in multi-vehicle accidents
Gathering Evidence to Build Your Case
Identifying every responsible party is vital to maximizing the compensation you may recover. Our team thoroughly investigates to determine who was at fault. We gather vital evidence such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Photographs and video from the scene
- Dashcam, traffic camera, and surveillance footage
- Cell phone records
- Toxicology reports
- Medical records documenting your injuries
- Accident reconstruction analysis
- Medical expert testimony
How Alabama Law Can Affect Your Claim
Alabama is one of only a few states that follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. This means that if you were even 1% at fault for a crash, you may not recover any compensation at all. Insurance companies know this, and they use it to their advantage. Adjusters will look for any way to assign even partial blame to you. Do not give a statement, sign anything, or accept a settlement without speaking to a car accident lawyer in Mobile first.
Statutes of Limitations
In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, and two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Regardless of how strong your case may be, missing this deadline will likely cost you the right to pursue compensation entirely.
What to Do After a Head-On Collision in Alabama
These steps can protect your health and rights after a crash.
- Call 911 and seek medical attention, even if you do not believe you are seriously injured
- Do not admit fault or apologize at the scene
- Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle positions, road conditions, skid marks, and injuries
- Get contact and insurance information from all drivers involved
- Gather contact information from any witnesses
- Keep a recovery journal and records of all medical treatment and expenses
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney
- Contact our Mobile car accident lawyers as soon as possible
Why Choose Our Car Accident Lawyers in Mobile, AL?
At Moore Law Firm, we’ve spent more than 40 years standing by Alabama injury victims during the most difficult moments of their lives.
You’re more than a case number to us. Our attorneys listen to your story, help you understand your options, and fight to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
Head-on collision cases are complicated. Our trial-ready legal team has the experience, resources, and track record of success to take on the toughest insurance companies and win.
We take cases on contingency. There are no upfront costs or attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our Get Moore Fee Guarantee means you keep more of what we recover for you.
Find a Head-On Collision Attorney Near You in Mobile, AL
If you’ve been hurt in a crash, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Moore Law Firm is here for you. To schedule a free consultation with a head-on collision lawyer near you in Mobile, Alabama, call us today at 251-445-7602, contact us, or use the convenient chat feature on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Head-On Collision Claims in Alabama
What if the insurance company says I was partly at fault?
Insurers will look for any opportunity to shift blame and deny your claim. Do not accept their determinations without speaking to a car accident attorney first. Our team knows how to challenge unfair fault assignments and protects your right to compensation.
When should I contact a head-on collision attorney?
As soon as possible. Evidence like surveillance footage can disappear quickly, and insurance companies begin building their defense immediately after an auto accident. Having a Mobile personal injury lawyer by your side ensures your rights are protected and that your claim is filed in a timely manner.
How much does a head-on collision lawyer cost?
At Moore Law Firm, we offer free case evaluations and there are no upfront costs or retainers. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, so you receive quality legal representation with no financial risk.
