West Palm Beach Head-on Collisions

Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous and deadly for West Palm Beach residents. Most of the time, one driver is to blame for causing these types of serious accidents and the injuries that result. The West Palm Beach car accident lawyers at Donaldson & Weston assist victims of head-on collisions with claims for the compensation necessary to cope with significant injuries caused by an irresponsible driver. Our firm offers experienced and knowledgeable legal representation to victims and their families in the aftermath of a serious car accident. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one, contact our office today to discuss your legal options and find out more about our services.

A head-on collision occurs when two cars traveling in opposite directions strike each other or when one vehicle hits an inanimate object, such as a streetlight or a tree. There are numerous situations that give rise to a head-on crash, usually involving the negligent actions of one or more drivers. Common causes of head-on collisions in West Palm Beach include:

• Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol;


• Drivers approaching a sharp turn too quickly;


• Texting while driving or other distractions;


• Driver fatigue; or


• Swerving or overcorrecting to avoid a road hazard.

More than one party can be held liable for a head-on crash. Even a victim might be partially responsible for causing their own injuries. However, this shared responsibility does not bar legal action in Florida. If more than one party is negligent, compensation is awarded based on each person’s proportion of fault.

Head-on collisions often result in significant injuries to several people involved, which may involve brain trauma, spinal cord damage, or paralysis, as well as broken bones, burns, and facial injuries. When these injuries are caused by a driver’s negligence, a victim can claim damages by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Negligence occurs when a party, known in litigation as the defendant, breaches their duty to another person by acting unreasonably in a certain situation. For instance, a driver who enters a one-way roadway in the wrong direction or who is distracted by their phone while behind the wheel may be acting unreasonably. A victim must also establish a causal link between the defendant’s actions and the injuries that the victim suffered.

If a head-on crash results in a fatality, family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death case against the negligent driver. In some instances, a less complicated legal theory may be applicable, known as negligence per se. Under this standard, plaintiffs must only show that the defendant violated a statute designed to protect a certain class of people to which they belong. For example, a driver who causes an accident while intoxicated is violating the Florida DUI law, which is intended to protect other motorists from the consequences of such impairment. Compensation that may be awarded in a personal injury lawsuit can include the costs of a victim’s medical treatment, their loss of earnings, their diminished earning capacity, and their pain and suffering. Forms of compensation are somewhat different in a wrongful death case, often including damages for the loss of the victim’s care, companionship, guidance, and support in addition to medical expenses.