When two vehicles collide head on, the force of the impact can be significant and result in serious injuries. Our experienced road traffic accident solicitors can guide you through the claims process and help secure compensation for your injuries and expenses incurred.
Common causes of head-on collisions
Many head-on collisions occur because a driver fails to exercise reasonable care on the road. Common causes include:
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Distracted driving, including mobile phone use
- Overtaking when it is unsafe to do so
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to obey road signs and markings
According to section 67 of the Roads Act 1993, all road users have a duty of care to take reasonable care for their own safety and for that of any other person using the public road.
Where a driver breaches that duty of care and causes a collision, they may be found liable for the accident.
Establishing liability in a head-on collision
As with any accident, establishing liability in a head-on collision will depend on the circumstances of the accident. Sometimes, liability may be disputed. Or there may be more than one party responsible for what happened. Where there is contributory negligence, for example if you were partly responsible for causing the accident, you may still be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
In all cases, it is important to compile evidence that supports your case, including:
- Garda reports
- Witness statements and contact information
- Photographs of the accident scene
- CCTV footage
- Dashcam recordings
- Vehicle damage reports
A specialised personal injury solicitor will be able to advise you on the specifics of your own situation, gather evidence and build a case on your behalf.
Common injuries sustained in head-on collisions
Head-on collisions frequently result in serious injuries. These may include:
Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries following a road traffic accident. It occurs when the head is suddenly forced backwards and forwards, causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the neck.
Head injuries
Head injuries can range from minor concussions to traumatic brain injuries. In severe cases, victims may experience long-term cognitive difficulties and ongoing medical complications.
Back injuries
Damage to the spine can have life-changing consequences, including chronic pain, reduced mobility, and in some cases, paralysis.
Broken bones and fractures
The force of impact in a head-on collision can result in fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and other parts of the body.
Internal injuries
Internal bleeding and organ damage can be difficult to identify immediately after an accident but may require urgent medical treatment.
Psychological injuries
Many people involved in serious road traffic accidents experience psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If you have been injured in a head-on collision, contact us today and tell us about your case.
Our experienced road traffic accident solicitors can provide practical legal advice and guide you through every step of the claims process.
What to do after a road traffic accident?
Following a road traffic accident, whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist, there are a number of steps you should follow:
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Seek medical attention
Your health is your wealth and should be your first priority. Immediately after a road traffic accident, take a second to assess yourself to determine if you have any injuries. Then check if any passengers or anybody else involved in the accident need medical attention. If you or anyone else involved has sustained a serious injury ensure that you contact an ambulance to attend the scene.
For minor injuries, you must remember that minor injuries where you ‘feel fine’ could progress to a more serious injury in the future. In this case it is always better to be safe than sorry and advisable that you go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) or local GP to be checked out.
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Gather all relevant information at the scene
It is important that you gather all the relevant information in connection with your accident:
- Details of another driver(s)/people involved: name, address, contact information, vehicle registration number and vehicle insurance information. You can also offer your own information to the others involved in the accident.
- Name and contact details of any emergency service workers at the scene – paramedic/Gardaí.
- Take a picture of the scene and damage to all vehicles involved from different angles; this will help your solicitor understand how the accident happened.
- If there are any CCTV recordings of the accident, such as CCTV cameras in a nearby shop, for example, you should try to obtain this footage.
- Dash Cam footage – if you have any.
- Record the time and date of the accident.
- Weather conditions at the time.
- Receipt for repairs of damage to your vehicle.
- If possible, try to collect the contact details of anybody that witnessed the accident. This may be of use if you do decide to pursue a road traffic accident claim.
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Report the incident to the Gardaí
Regardless of how minor or serious the road traffic accident was, it is important that you call the Gardaí to report the accident immediately.
For minor accidents, the Gardaí may tell you that they will not be attending the scene. In this scenario, the appropriate information should be exchanged. In these cases, it is also important that you visit your nearest Garda station to request that they take details of the accident and to take your statement about the accident.
For more serious road traffic accidents, where an ambulance has been called, the Gardaí may arrive at the scene to assess, take statements from the people involved and any witnesses.
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Contact your insurance company
If you are the driver of the vehicle involved in a road traffic accident it is important to inform your own insurance company so they have a record of the accident.
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Speak to a road traffic accident solicitor
If you are considering moving forward with a road traffic accident claim for any personal injuries sustained it is advisable that you speak with a road traffic accident claims solicitor as soon as possible. If you are proceeding with a claim, the first step will be submitting your claim to the Injuries Board for assessment. A road traffic accident solicitor can help you in preparing your application to the Injuries Board and ensure that you follow the process in the correct format, meaning that you can move forward with your claim quickly without unnecessary delays.
It is important to remember to keep copies of any expenses that you have incurred as a result of the accident. It is also imperative to retain copies of medical reports or Garda reports, where possible as you will need them when making a claim.