Cole, Cole, Easley and Sciba Trial Attorneys can help you if you’ve been injured in a head-on collision accident in Victoria. Head-on collisions aren’t treated any differently under Texas law, but they’re usually some of the worst car accidents that happen around Victoria. They often leave people with serious injuries, long recoveries, and plenty of questions about what comes next. We can help. Set up a free consultation today.
Does a Lawyer Make Sense After a Head-on Collision?
There are all kinds of car accidents that happen every day around Victoria, and no two are exactly alike. They all have different causes, different circumstances, and different outcomes. But head-on collisions are unique for one major reason: they often leave you with much more serious injuries, longer recoveries, and bigger questions about what comes next.
That’s when having a lawyer starts to make more sense. If that’s what you’re facing, our team can help you by:
- Explaining your options in plain language
- Gathering the evidence needed to support your claim
- Handling the insurance company so you don’t have to
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if that’s what’s needed
- Taking the legal side of things off your shoulders while you focus on getting better
At the end of the day, getting a lawyer is your decision. Some people are comfortable handling their own claim. But what a lot of people find is that once the insurance company gets involved, things become much more complicated than they expected. And after a serious head-on collision, you already have enough on your plate.
Information That Helps a Head-On Collision Claim
It’s already pretty obvious why a head-on collision is different than other kinds of car accidents. But there’s one way that it’s similar: the information that can help your claim. Like any other accident, what you’re trying to do is show what happened and what it’s left you with.
Some of that comes right there at the scene, but your first move needs to be calling 911. That will get an ambulance and police to the scene to help, then while you wait, it’s a good chance to try to get basic things like:
- Pictures/videos of the vehicles, where they came to rest, the damage, skid marks, debris, and anything else around the scene
- The other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license, and insurance details
- Contact information for anyone who saw what happened
- Notes about what you remember, including where each vehicle was coming from, what happened right before impact, and anything you noticed about the other driver
It’s also important to remember that some of the most valuable information won’t be available until the days/weeks after. That often includes things like:
- Your medical records and treatment history showing how the crash affected you
- Bills for emergency care, doctor visits, physical therapy, prescriptions, and other expenses
- Information showing how the accident has impacted your work and your ability to earn money
- Repair estimates, photos, or other records showing the damage to your vehicle
- The official police report
- Any nearby video footage that may have actually caught the accident
- Emails, letters, recorded statements, or other messages from insurance companies
Taken together, this information helps tell the story of what happened and how the collision has affected your life. The stronger that story is, the stronger your claim usually becomes.
How Liability Works After a Head-On Collision
Another way that a head-on collision is similar to other car accidents is how liability sorts out. Like other car accidents, it all comes down to proving negligence. In other words, you have to show that:
- Someone did something—or failed to do something—they should have, and that decision led directly to the collision and your injuries.
Most of the time, the driver who crossed into your lane is going to carry the majority of the responsibility. That usually happens because they were:
- Speeding
- Distracted or looking at their phone
- Driving under the influence
- Falling asleep or driving while fatigued
- Driving recklessly
Every driver has a responsibility to stay in their lane and keep control of their vehicle. That’s about as basic as safe driving gets. And while it’s rare, others might also be involved, too. Usually that brings in:
- Another driver that caused someone else to cross the centerline
- A vehicle manufacturer if a defective part factored into what happened
- The government agency that failed to maintain the roadway or fix something dangerous
So while the driver who hit you is usually the primary source of responsibility, they may not be the only one. But one way or the other, this is the starting point for moving forward with a claim.
How to Get Financial Support After a Head-On Collision
The actual way you get financial support for your injuries and other losses from your head-on collision is largely the same as any other type of accident. You file a claim, either through:
- Insurance, which happens outside of court.
- Going to court with a personal injury lawsuit.
Insurance claims are often faster and less formal, but they’re still handled by the insurance company. That means they get to review the evidence, evaluate your injuries, and decide what they’re willing to offer. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always result in a settlement that reflects everything you’ve been through.
When that happens—or when the injuries are especially serious—a lawsuit may be the better option. But either way, certain financial support is available based on the:
- Medical care you need after the collision, from emergency treatment to ongoing appointments and recovery
- Income you’ve lost from being unable to work and how your injuries may affect your future ability to earn a living
- Repair/replacement costs for your car
- Physical pain and limitations caused by your injuries
- Stress, anxiety, and emotional impact that comes with being seriously injured
- Ways the accident has changed your everyday life and kept you from doing the things you normally enjoy
Unfortunately, a lot of head-on collisions end up being fatal. That can mean a wrongful death lawsuit where you and your family can recover funeral expenses and other damages relating to that loss. But no matter what type of claim you need to file, it often comes down to the details.
What Makes Head-On Collisions Different in Victoria
So far, we’ve talked a lot about how head-on collisions in Victoria are the same as other accidents. But the reality is that they’re very different from a normal fender bender for one reason: the impact force and location.
Think about it. When two cars collide head-on, it often leads to:
- Broken bones and serious fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Permanent disabilities or limitations
- Injuries that require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
A big reason these types of accidents are so serious is that they often happen on roads where vehicles are traveling at higher speeds or where there isn’t a barrier separating traffic. Around Victoria, that can include:
- US Highway 59 (Future I-69)
- US Highway 77
- Loop 463
- State Highway 185
- Farm-to-Market roads throughout Victoria County
- Rural highways and county roads outside the city
A lot of these roads see a mix of local traffic, commercial trucks, and drivers traveling between communities. It only takes one driver crossing the centerline, making an unsafe pass, or losing control of their vehicle for a head-on collision to happen. And when it does, the consequences can be serious. But you don’t have to go through the aftermath alone.
Get Help From Cole, Cole, Easley and Sciba After a Victoria Head-On Collision
A head-on collision can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re driving where you need to go, and the next you’re dealing with injuries, medical appointments, missed work, and insurance companies that don’t always have your best interests in mind. You don’t have to sort through all of that by yourself.
At Cole, Cole, Easley and Sciba Trial Attorneys, our team of Victoria head-on collision lawyers are here to answer your questions, explain your options, and handle the legal side of your case while you focus on getting better. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
