Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can help you after you’ve been injured in a head-on collision in Norman. Head-on collisions aren’t treated any differently just because they happen in Norman, but they’re usually some of the worst car accidents you can get into. We’ll be there to help you and your family through whatever comes next. 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 Norman, and no two are exactly alike. But head-on collisions are different for one major reason: they often leave you with much more serious injuries, longer recoveries, and bigger questions about what comes next.
When you find yourself in that situation, a lawyer really starts to make more sense, where we can:
- Lay out your options in plain language
- Start getting the evidence needed to support your claim
- Handle the insurance company so you don’t have to
- File a lawsuit if that’s what’s needed to get a fair result for you
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—even with something as relatively straightforward as a head-on collision. And with the typical strain of injuries and other problems, you already likely have enough on your plate.
What Information Can Help a Head-On Collision Claim?
It’s pretty obvious why a head-on collision is different from 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 dealing 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. While you wait, if you’re physically able to do so, it’s a good chance to get some basic information like:
- Pictures or 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 or weeks after the accident. 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 affected 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 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 better position you may be in when dealing with the insurance company or pursuing a claim.
Who’s Responsible For Damages After a Head-On Collision?
Another way that a head-on collision is similar to other car accidents is how liability gets sorted out. Like other car accidents, it generally comes down to proving negligence. In other words, you have to show that:
- Someone did something—or failed to do something—they shouldn’t have, and that decision led 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 drowsy
- Driving recklessly
- Trying to pass someone when it wasn’t safe
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 less common, other people or groups might be involved, too. Usually that could include:
- Some other driver that caused someone else to cross the centerline
- A company that made a defective part which led to what happened
- The city or county government in certain situations involving an unsafe or poorly maintained road
So while the driver who hit you is usually the primary source of responsibility, they may not be the only one. Either way, figuring out who was responsible is one of the first steps in moving forward with a claim.
How to Get Financial Support After a Head-On Collision
Like any other car accident claim, the way you actually get financial support for your injuries and other losses from your head-on collision happens in one of two ways:
- Filing an insurance claim outside of court
- Filing 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, the losses you’re dealing with can include things like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current lost income from missed work or a loss of future earning potential if you can’t go back to the same job
- Repair/replacement costs for your car
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal head-on collisions
Remember, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file. That might sound like a lot of time, but that can evaporate quickly when you consider that an insurance company is going to get involved. It doesn’t take your options away, but it does mean that the details matter.
Where Do Head-on Collisions Happen in Norman?
So far, we’ve talked a lot about how head-on collisions in Norman are similar to other accidents. But the reality is that they’re very different from a normal fender bender for one big reason: the impact.Think about it. When two vehicles collide head-on, they’re moving toward each other when they hit. That can create an enormous amount of force and lead 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 can happen on roads where vehicles are traveling at higher speeds or where there isn’t much separating traffic traveling in opposite directions. Around Norman, that can include:
- Interstate 35
- Highway 9
- 24th Avenue
- Highway 77
- Rural roads around Cleveland County
- County roads and other highways outside the city
These roads see plenty of local traffic, commuters, commercial vehicles, and people traveling between Norman and surrounding 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 Ylla Gosney After a Norman 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 an insurance company that doesn’t always have your best interests in mind. You don’t have to sort through all of that by yourself.
At Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law, our Norman 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.