Were you injured in a head-on crash with another driver or other vehicles? These types of accidents can be catastrophic, and they often stem from high-speed circumstances that leave people with little time to react.
Victims of head-on collisions often suffer from life-altering injuries and major physical damage, making the emotional toll just as overwhelming as everything else. However, you’re not alone in this situation. Instead, let a head-on collision lawyer in Gladstone represent you.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re ready and willing to help you as your car accident lawyer in Gladstone. With 45 years of experience, we’ve recovered more than $1 billion in compensation. Reach out now to learn how we can further your case.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Gladstone
Many head-on crashes are the result of one driver crossing the centerline or driving the wrong way on a road. Several underlying factors can contribute to these incidents:
- Distracted driving: When drivers are texting, eating, or using in-vehicle systems, they may unintentionally drift into the oncoming lane.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug use continue to be a leading cause of fatal crashes across Missouri, including head-on collisions. Impaired drivers often have difficulty staying in their lanes or recognizing that they are driving in the wrong direction.
- Fatigue: Drowsy drivers may lose focus or even fall asleep behind the wheel, resulting in unintentional lane departures.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and can make it easier for drivers to lose control, especially around curves or in poor weather.
- Passing on two–lane roads: Attempting to pass slower vehicles on undivided highways is legal in many areas but can be deadly if done without sufficient visibility or space.
- Poor weather conditions: Snow, ice, fog, and rain can impair visibility and traction, leading to loss of control and potential crossovers into opposing lanes.
Head-on collisions can also occur at intersections if a driver attempts to make a left turn across oncoming traffic without yielding or appropriately judging the speed of approaching vehicles. However, every situation is unique. Ultimately, your Gladstone personal injury lawyer can look more closely at the cause of the crash that led to your injuries.
Common Injuries in Head-On Collisions
Due to the violent nature of head-on crashes, injuries tend to be severe. At Foster Wallace, our Gladstone head-on collision attorneys have helped clients dealing with a wide range of them. Here’s a look at some injuries we frequently see in collisions of this nature:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Victims may suffer concussions, brain bleeds, or permanent cognitive impairments from the force of the impact or striking interior surfaces of the vehicle.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the neck or back can lead to partial or full paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Facial fractures and dental injuries: When the airbag deploys, or a driver strikes the dashboard or steering wheel, the result can be broken noses, jaws, or teeth.
- Chest trauma: Rib fractures, internal bleeding, and cardiac injuries may occur due to seat belt pressure or an impact with the steering column.
- Abdominal and pelvic injuries: The lower half of the body is especially vulnerable in frontal impacts, which can result in organ damage or pelvic fractures.
- Lower extremity injuries: Legs, knees, and feet can be crushed or broken when the front end of the vehicle collapses inward during a collision.
- Burns and lacerations: In cases involving fire, explosion, or shattered glass, victims may sustain burns or deep cuts.
In addition to physical injuries, many victims experience psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, following a severe crash.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Missouri Laws Regarding Fault and Liability
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system under Missouri Revised Statutes § 537.765. Each party will be assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions leading up to the crash. In head-on collision cases, liability often hinges on which driver crossed the center line or entered the opposing lane. Evidence used to establish fault may include the following:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Skid marks or debris patterns
- Dashcam or traffic camera footage
- Cell phone records (to determine if the driver was distracted)
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) testing results
- Vehicle damage and placement
In Missouri, drivers are required by law to carry these minimum levels of liability insurance:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 for property damage
These limits often do not fully cover the extensive damages caused by a head-on crash, especially if multiple parties are injured. In cases like these, additional avenues of compensation may be necessary. For instance, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage might be relevant. Although it’s optional in Missouri, it may still be part of the policy.
Contact Our Head-On Collision Lawyers in Gladstone as Soon as Possible for Help With Your Case
You don’t need us to tell you that a head-on collision can change your life forever because this is likely already your reality. While we can’t go back in time and undo the crash that left you injured, we’re here to help you move forward. It’s your injury, but it’s our fight.
At Foster Wallace, we’re ready and willing to handle the legal side of things. That way, you can focus your attention on healing and recovering from such a traumatic experience. Meanwhile, you can count on us to advocate for your rights and fight for the compensation you need.
You are entitled to seek justice, and we can do exactly that on your behalf. Reach out to our Gladstone head-on collision lawyers as soon as possible. Once you take action, we will start looking into the details of your circumstances and help you begin rebuilding your life.
