If you’re like a lot of the Atlanta accident attorneys in our office, you make a point to watch the news every day. Unfortunately, the first twenty-five minutes seem to be nothing but bad news. This is where you see the video clip of someone who has been involved in a head-on collision.
You thank your lucky stars that it wasn’t you. The problem is that it did happen to somebody. The victim in that head-on collision did not wake up and thought that they were going to be injured. Just like you, they assumed that something like this could never happen to them. These are the people who come to us to file a car accident lawsuit in Georgia on their behalf.
Here, we will talk about some of the more common causes of head-on collisions. We will also briefly discuss what your Atlanta accident attorney will have to do to win your car accident lawsuit in Georgia.
It Should Come As No Surprise That Drunk Driving is a Leading Cause of Head-On Collisions
When people drink and then get behind the wheel, there is always a higher risk of getting into an accident. People who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol do not appreciate the risks that they are taking.
They tend to speed and swerve in and out of their lanes. They are also prone to losing control of their car or SUV. It doesn’t take more than a few seconds before they end up driving into oncoming traffic. Sadly, many of them don’t even realize what’s happened after the fact.
In drunk driving cases, or those involving drugs, the police will document the fact that the other driver was impaired. They will be arrested and charged with DUI. Your Atlanta accident attorney will use this as evidence in your car accident lawsuit.
Our Atlanta Accident Attorneys Handle Many Distracted Driving Cases
When a driver is distracted, their attention is diverted from the road, which can lead to them swerving into oncoming traffic. Here are some common scenarios where a distracted driver may drift out of their lane and into oncoming traffic:
- Texting and driving
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Adjusting the radio or GPS.
According to the CDC, approximately 9 people are killed and over 1,000 injured every day in the US in accidents involving distracted driving. The NHTSA reports that sending or receiving a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which is equivalent to driving the length of a football field at 55 mph without looking at the road.
Many of the Defendants That We Sue Were Speeding at the Time of the Crash
One of the more common reasons why someone would get into a head-on collision is that they were speeding. The faster someone drives, the less control they have over their vehicle. It doesn’t take much to steer your vehicle off course once you’re driving over seventy-five or eighty miles per hour. You could hit a rock or pothole and it will send you careening into oncoming traffic.
Head-On Collisions Are More Likely to Happen in Bad Weather
It should not be much of a surprise that more head-on collisions happen in bad weather. Bad weather can contribute to head-on collisions in several ways.
- Reduced Visibility: Rain, fog, snow, or sleet can make it difficult to see the road ahead or oncoming traffic. This increases the risk of a head-on collision, especially on winding or narrow roads.
- Slippery Roads: Wet or icy roads can reduce traction and make it harder for drivers to control their vehicles. If a driver loses control on a slippery road, they may swerve into oncoming traffic.
- Reduced Stopping Distance: In bad weather conditions, it can take longer for a vehicle to stop. If a driver is following too closely or not paying attention, they may not have enough time to react.
- Driver Error: During bad weather, drivers are more likely to make mistakes like over-correcting. If a driver over-corrects, they may swerve into oncoming traffic.
Your Atlanta accident attorney’s mission is to make sure you are compensated fairly for your injuries. We will negotiate a settlement with the auto insurance company, and are ready to take your case to court if needed.
The Defendant in Your Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia May Have Been Fatigued at the Time of Your Head-On Collision
Our Atlanta accident attorneys have handled our fair share of cases in which the defendant was fatigued. For example, commercial truck drivers often work ten or eleven hours per shift. They drive all over the country and are bound to get tired. It wouldn’t be unusual for them to get into an accident as a result of their fatigue.
Given the fact that they are on the highways most of the day and night, if they get into a crash, it will be serious. If they lose control of their tractor-trailer, it is very likely that they could cause a head-on collision. If they do, your Atlanta accident attorney will be able to sue both the driver and their employer.
Your Atlanta Accident Attorney Will Do Their Best to Get You the Compensation You Deserve
When someone is the victim in a head-on collision, you may think they would automatically be entitled to damages. It’s difficult to imagine any scenario in which the victim is at fault in this sort of crash.
While this may be true, that doesn’t mean your Atlanta accident attorney doesn’t need to prove your case. They still need to prove that the defendant was negligent, regardless of the circumstances. In addition, they need to prove your damages. Nobody is entitled to compensation unless they suffered some sort of loss.
This is one of the reasons why we recommend that anybody involved in a head-on collision contact our Atlanta injury lawyers right away. Insurance adjusters will do whatever they can to avoid paying your claim.
Since we offer our new clients a free, initial consultation, there’s no reason not to call. Or, if you prefer, you can schedule an appointment through our website.
