The driver of a 2010 Toyota Tundra was driving in the wrong lanes of U.S. 301 when his car struck an oncoming vehicle injuring four. According to a Florida Highway Patrol officer at the scene, the driver of the Tundra was traveling north in the southbound lanes of the highway and that alcohol was a factor in the head-on collision.
The second car in the accident was also a Toyota Tundra but its year is 2015. The accident happened a little after midnight Sunday, March 3, 2019. Paramedics took all three occupants of the 2015 Tundra and the driver of the 2010 Tundra to a local hospital and listed in serious condition. FHP says that charges are pending against the driver of the 2010 Tundra.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on collisions are especially violent and cause significant property damage, injuries, and fatalities. In fact, head-on collisions are the leading type of crash for causing fatalities. According to a study from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, head-on crashes only make up 2 percent of all crashes in the U.S. but makeup over 10 percent of all fatalities.
The Danger of a Head-on Collision
The impact of a head-on collision is made of the mass and momentum of two vehicles both typically going at speeds higher than 50 miles an hour. Violent head-on collisions often cause cars to roll over, catch on fire or fly off the roadway. This increases the likelihood of more serious injuries. Also, with many head-on collisions, a car might drift over the centerline quickly giving the other driver no chance to take defensive actions.
Common Injuries
The violence of a head-on collision increases the chance that the injuries will be severe and the risk of death high. Because of this, head-on collisions have common injuries associated with it:
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Head Injuries/Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Internal Injuries/Bleeding
- Airbag injuries
Losses and Damages that Come from Head-On Crashes
In any accident, a person is entitled to certain monetary damages from the at-fault driver. This usually comes from an insurance company that is often reluctant to pay a reasonable amount for the losses sustained.
However, the law allows for an injured person to claim certain financial losses as damages. Under Florida law a person involved in a head-on collision, and injured, you are entitled to certain damages. They are:
- Medical Bills
- Lost wages, past, and future
- Permanent injuries/disabilities or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life/consortium
- Wrongful Death compensation
- Emotional distress
While money alone does not make the person whole again. Struggling with the physical and emotional aspects of a traumatic accident becomes more difficult as the financial losses add up creating more anxiety and stress. Many victims of these accidents wonder if they need to get an attorney. In most cases, the answer is yes. You need to understand your rights and what you are entitled to under the law so you can make the best decision.
Contact a Tampa Bay Area Car Accident Attorney Today
Even if you don’t hire an attorney, you need to speak to one that knows the law and can evaluate your case. Talk to an Attorney at RHINO Lawyers today. Our personal injury team is ready to start working for you to get you the compensation you deserve.
