Head-on collisions are among the deadliest type of vehicle collision. They have catastrophic consequences for their victims, including death, head and spinal injuries, and internal injuries. The Minnesota 2015 Traffic Safety Fundamentals Handbook notes that head-on car crashes make up 20 percent of fatal crashes, third behind run-off-road crashes and angle crashes.
The time following any Minnesota car crash—including a head-on collision—is incredibly stressful. You may find yourself facing mounting medical costs, physical therapy fees, and rehabilitation bills. At the same time, you may not be able to work, causing great financial strain for you and your family. Although nothing is more important than focusing on your health, financial stresses can overwhelm you.
Attorneys at Patterson Dahlberg have vast experience representing people who have been harmed in a head-on collision on Minnesota roads. We’ve seen the devastation of a serious personal injury or a wrongful death caused by a front-end crash and are dedicated to aggressively representing the people affected by these collisions. Our skilled attorneys have recovered more than $120 million for our clients by aggressively pursuing the maximum recovery for our clients through insurance claims and, where necessary, lawsuits.
Head-On Collision Statistics
A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles crash into each other with their front ends facing each other. This might occur when a vehicle pulls out to pass another on a two-lane road, when someone loses control and their vehicle jumps a median, or when someone is driving in the wrong lane on a road.
According to the Minnesota 2015 Traffic Safety Fundamentals Handbook, each year approximately 120 fatal head-on crashes occur in the state each year, making addressing head-on crashes one of the state’s critical safety focus areas.
Head-On Collision Causes
Some common causes of head-on collisions include:
-
Distracted driving: such as driving while texting, changing radio stations, or otherwise not paying attention to the road.
-
Fatigued driving: driving while overly tired
-
Drunk driving: including driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.
-
Improper passing
-
Weather conditions
Head-on Collision Injuries
Common injuries in head-on collisions:
-
Blunt force trauma
-
Fractures
-
Soft tissue injuries
Minnesota Drunk Driving Laws
Under Minnesota’s impaired driving laws, the legal blood-alcohol concentration limit is 0.08. Motorists who appear intoxicated, however, can be arrested for driving with a lower blood alcohol level.
In Minnesota, people who have been harmed by or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident may be able to file a lawsuit against the bar or establishment that served the drunk driver. Meanwhile, social host liability means that anyone who provides alcohol to a minor under the age of 21 could be liable if that drunk person then injures someone else.
This means that if you or a loved one was harmed in head-on collision involving a drunk driver, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the person or establishment who served that person alcohol, depending on the circumstances.
Minnesota Head-On Car Accident Attorneys
When you’re dealing with recovering from a head-on car accident and undergoing medical treatment, the last thing you need to worry about is determining fault or dealing with an insurance claim. Our attorneys are experts at personal injury law and have significant experience dealing with insurance companies and filing lawsuits, with a proven track record of successful results. We can deal with the insurance company while you focus on recovery.
Let us manage the legal aspects of your car accident, taking some of the stress off you and helping to maximize the value of your claim. We’ll be with you every step of the way, to ensure you fully understand your rights and your options. Contact us either by phone at 1-877-288-9211 or fill out our online form to set up a no-obligation consultation and find out how our expertise can work for you.