Tulsa Head-On Collision Lawyer

Author: Charles L. “Chuck” Richardson
Managing Attorney
Richardson Richardson Boudreaux Injury And Accident Attorneys
Published Date: May 5, 2025
Last Updated: May 6, 2025
Tulsa Head-On Collision Lawyer

At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, our Tulsa head-on collision lawyer team knows how dangerous these motor vehicle crashes are. Head-on collisions often cause serious injuries that change lives forever. When you're hurt in this type of car accident, insurance companies try to pay you as little as possible. You need a personal injury attorney who will fight for what you deserve.

We have years of experience helping car accident victims seek compensation after devastating crashes. Our personal injury lawyers know Oklahoma law and build strong personal injury claims. We work hard to hold the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a head-on crash, call our experienced personal injury attorney team today for a free consultation.

Our Tulsa Car Accident Attorneys Fight for Maximum Compensation

The personal injury lawyers at Richardson Richardson Boudreaux have won millions for head-on collision victims in Tulsa. Our car accident attorneys know how to prove fault and show how your injuries affect your life, including your pain and suffering. We work with experts to build cases that get fair compensation for our clients.

When you choose our team, we handle everything. We talk to the other driver's insurance company, so you don't have to. We gather evidence, get your medical records, and add up all your losses - including future medical costs. We know that motor vehicle crashes happen when you least expect them, leaving you dealing with insurance defense attorneys who want to pay you less.

Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you after a crash. Your recovery comes first - we'll handle securing the compensation you deserve. We know how to handle complex personal injury claims from serious car wrecks.

Understanding Personal Injury Law for Head-On Collisions

Understanding Personal Injury Law for Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are some of the worst car accidents on Tulsa roads. These crashes need special legal knowledge and a deep understanding of both accident investigation and Oklahoma law. Our experienced attorneys will fight the insurance companies for you while guiding you through every step of your case. When these motor vehicle crashes happen because of someone else's negligence, you deserve full payment for your losses.

What Makes Head-On Collisions So Dangerous?

Head-on collisions are deadly because of the combined force when two vehicles hit. When cars crash head-on, the impact equals both speeds added together. For example, two cars, each going 40 mph, create an impact like hitting a wall at 80 mph.

This extreme force is why head-on crashes cause so many deaths. They make up only 2% of all car accidents happen but cause about 10% of all traffic deaths, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Even with seatbelts and airbags, your body faces massive trauma in these crashes, often resulting in substantial pain and suffering.

Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Oklahoma

Wrong-way driving causes many head-on crashes in Tulsa. This happens most often on highway ramps when drivers enter, going the wrong way. These crashes happen at high speeds and are often deadly.

Distracted driving accidents are another big cause. When you look at your phone for just five seconds straight ahead, it is like another car, driving at 55 miles per hour, has covered the length of a football field. That's plenty of time to drift into oncoming traffic, causing serious crashes.

Drunk driving and reckless driving remain serious problems in Tulsa County. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that many fatal head-on collisions involve alcohol or drivers who ignore traffic laws. These crashes often happen late at night or early morning on weekends when insurance becomes especially important.

Head-On Collision Statistics in Tulsa

Data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office shows Tulsa County has more head-on collisions than the state average. These crashes happen most often on rural two-lane roads around the city, where passing goes wrong or tired drivers drift across the center line.

In recent years, Tulsa has seen about 15% more head-on collisions than the national average. This makes these crashes a major safety concern for drivers and a focus for local police.

Steps to Take After a Head-On Collision

Steps to Take After a Head-On Collision

What you do after a head-on collision affects both your health and your legal case. Our Tulsa car accident lawyers recommend these steps to protect yourself. We've helped many crash victims through this tough time and can guide you, too. Our skilled injury attorney helps crash victims fight for fair compensation.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately (Even If You Feel Fine)

Always get medical care after a head-on collision, even if you feel okay. Your body releases adrenaline during crashes, which can hide pain for hours or days. Injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, and concussions might not show symptoms right away.

Getting prompt medical treatment creates records that link your injuries to the car accident. These medical records become key evidence when filing insurance claims. Without them, the insurance company might say your injuries came from something else.

When to Call the Police After a Head-On Crash

Oklahoma law says you must report any car accident with injury, death, or damage over $300. Since head-on collisions almost always cause more damage than this, call 911 right away after checking if everyone is safe.

The police will make an accident report with important facts about the crash. This report includes what the officer sees, statements from drivers and witnesses, and often who they think is at fault. Your car accident lawyer will use this police report as key evidence.

How to Gather Medical Records for Your Case

If you can, take photos of everything at the accident scene. Start with wide shots showing both cars' positions, then take close-ups of damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any traffic signs. Also, take pictures of your visible injuries. These photos are very important when you are talking to the insurance firm.

Get contact info from all witnesses. Their statements can help prove the at-fault party caused the crash. Ask for their names, phone numbers, and emails. Our attorneys will contact them later to get formal statements that strengthen your case. This evidence helps make a stronger case that the accident happened because of someone's gross negligence.

Keep track of all medical records from every doctor visit. These documents show the extent of your injuries and prove they came from the crash. Request copies of your records after each appointment and keep them organized in a folder. Good medical records help your attorney show exactly how the crash affected you.

Injuries in Head-On Collisions

Injuries in Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions often cause severe injuries that change victims' lives and lead to significant pain and suffering. Understanding these common injuries helps both in getting proper medical care and in seeking fair compensation. Our attorneys work with medical experts to document your injuries fully when building your personal injury claims. Motor vehicle crashes like these can cause devastating damage to your body, and insurance may not be enough without proper legal help.

Drunk Driving Crash Injuries

Head-on collisions caused by drunk drivers often result in more severe injuries. When a driver is impaired by alcohol, they may not brake before impact, which means the full force of both vehicles collides without any slowing down. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that drunk driving crashes lead to more fatalities than almost any other type of collision.

Victims of drunk driving crashes often face long recovery times and may need multiple surgeries. Common injuries include severe fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage. Our team has vast experience with drunk driving accident cases and can assist you in pursuing extra punitive damages.

Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis Risks

The force of a head-on collision can seriously damage your spine. While whiplash affects the neck's soft tissues, worse crashes can break vertebrae or harm the spinal cord itself, sometimes causing permanent paralysis.

The medical costs for spinal injuries are enormous. Research shows a 25-year-old with paraplegia faces lifetime medical costs of over $2.3 million. Those with quadriplegia may need over $5 million in lifetime care. Our Tulsa car accident lawyers fight for compensation that covers these long-term needs.

Broken Bones & Internal Organ Damage

Head-on collisions commonly break ribs, legs, arms, hips, and facial bones. These fractures often need surgery, metal implants, and months of physical therapy. Some victims never regain full use of the injured areas.

Internal organ damage is even more dangerous. The liver and spleen often get hurt in frontal impacts, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Quick medical care is crucial in these cases.

Emotional Trauma & PTSD After a Severe Crash

Surviving a head-on collision can be mentally challenging, often as tough as dealing with physical injuries. Many people experience PTSD, which includes flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety, and a fear of driving or being in a car again.

Treatment for crash-related PTSD typically includes therapy and sometimes medication. These treatment costs should be part of your compensation claim. Our personal injury attorneys work with mental health experts to document these real but invisible injuries.

Why You Need Tulsa Car Accident Attorneys

Trying to handle a serious head-on collision case alone puts you at a huge disadvantage. Insurance companies have teams working to pay you as little as possible while you're trying to recover from serious injuries. Our experienced attorneys level the playing field and protect your rights. We understand how crashes happen and how to prove the other driver should pay for your damages.

How an Attorney Proves Fault in a Head-On Crash

Modern cars have "black box" data recorders that capture important information like speed, braking, and steering just before a crash. Our car accident lawyers know how to get and preserve this data before it's lost.

In complex cases, we work with accident reconstruction experts who use scientific methods and evidence to clearly show how the crash happened. These experts can show juries clearly how the other driver caused the crash.

How to Recover Compensation After a Crash

Insurance companies are not on your side after an accident, despite what their ads say. Their main goal is to pay as little as possible. Many adjusters contact victims quickly after a crash, hoping to get recorded statements or quick settlements before you know how badly you're hurt.

Common insurance tactics include questioning your injuries, suggesting you had problems before the crash, or claiming you were partly at fault. Sometimes, your own insurance company might not provide the coverage you need. Our attorneys know these strategies insurance defense attorneys use and how to fight them. When motor vehicle crashes happen, having a skilled advocate can make all the difference in getting fair compensation for your suffering.

We help victims seek compensation in several ways:

  • Gathering strong evidence that proves the at-fault driver was responsible
  • Working with medical experts to document all your injuries
  • Calculating the full value of your insurance claim, including future costs
  • Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
  • Taking your case to court if they won't offer a fair settlement

When to File a Car Accident Lawsuit

While many car accident claims are settled without going to court, sometimes filing a lawsuit is necessary. This is especially true for serious injuries like spinal cord damage or brain injuries, where lifetime costs may reach millions.

Recent Tulsa County jury verdicts show that local juries understand the true impact of serious injuries. Our car accident lawyers approach every case with the mindset that it may proceed to trial, which often encourages insurance companies to propose fair settlements.

Oklahoma Laws for Head-On Collision Cases

Oklahoma Laws for Head-On Collision Cases

Oklahoma has specific laws that affect your ability to get payment after a head-on collision. Understanding these laws is key to maximizing your recovery. Our attorneys possess a deep understanding of Oklahoma personal injury law, leveraging this expertise to build more compelling cases. When crashes occur due to careless driving, these laws determine how much money you can get for your losses.

Reckless Driving and Your Claim

Oklahoma takes reckless driving very seriously, especially when it causes head-on collisions. Reckless driving includes behaviors like excessive speeding, weaving through traffic, or passing in no-passing zones. When these behaviors cause a crash, it strengthens your case.

If the other driver gets a ticket for reckless driving, that would be strong evidence very much in your favor. The traffic citation and any criminal charges can be used in your civil case to show the driver was clearly at fault. Our attorneys will obtain the police report, witness statements, and any video evidence that shows the reckless behavior.

In cases involving reckless driving, you may also be able to seek punitive damages. These are extra payments designed to punish extremely bad behavior and deter others from driving recklessly. We know how to build a case that proves reckless driving and helps you get the maximum payment possible.

How Comparative Negligence Affects Your Claim

Oklahoma adheres to a "modified comparative negligence" rule, which includes a 51% threshold. This means that you are able to recover compensation if you are not more than fifty percent to blame for the accident. However, any compensation you receive will be decreased by your percentage of fault.

This rule matters in cases where both drivers might share some blame. For example, if you were turning left and a speeding driver hit you head-on, the court might find you 30% at fault and the other driver 70% at fault. Your compensation would then be reduced by 30%.

Oklahoma's Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Cases

In Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to compensation forever. Some exceptions do lengthen this timeline, such as when the victim is a child or incapacitated mentally.

The "discovery rule" may apply to injuries that weren't immediately obvious. For example, if you developed post-concussion syndrome months after the accident, the two-year clock might start when you discovered this condition rather than on the accident date.

Calculating Payment for a Head-On Collision

Figuring out the full value of a head-on collision claim requires careful analysis of both current and future costs. Many victims underestimate their long-term needs, leading them to accept settlements that leave them struggling financially later. Our lawyers work with experts to ensure your claim reflects all your losses. After a severe crash, you need a lawyer who knows how to prove your pain and suffering and stand up to insurance companies.

Economic Damages (Medical Bills, Lost Wages, Vehicle Repairs)

Economic damages include all financial losses with specific dollar amounts. This covers your current medical bills plus expected future medical costs for surgeries, therapy, medications, and equipment you may need.

For victims who can't return to their previous jobs, we work with vocational experts who can calculate lost earning capacity over their lifetime. This considers your age, education, skills, and career path before the injury.

Vehicle repair or replacement costs are also recoverable, along with rental car expenses, while your vehicle was unusable.

Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering, Emotional Distress)

Non-economic damages compensate for losses that don't have clear price tags. Physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental trauma fall into this category.

Oklahoma courts use several methods to calculate these damages, including the "per diem" approach (assigning a daily dollar value to your suffering) and the "multiplier" method (multiplying your economic damages by a factor based on injury severity). Recent Oklahoma court rulings have approved substantial non-economic damage awards in serious injury cases.

Wrongful Death Claims in Fatal Head-On Collisions

When head-on collisions cause deaths, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims. Oklahoma law allows compensation for the deceased's pre-death pain and medical expenses, as well as the family's losses.

Families can recover losses like funeral costs and the money that a person used to provide. They also get to lodge claims for the loss of friendship they now miss. Our personal injury attorneys handle these sensitive cases with compassion while fighting for your family's financial security.

FAQs About Head-On Collision Claims in Tulsa

Here are answers to common questions about head-on collision cases from our experienced attorney team:

What if the other driver claims I caused the accident?

This happens often in head-on collision cases. Our car accident lawyers gather evidence like dashcam footage, witness statements, vehicle damage patterns, and expert analysis to establish the facts. Even if you bear some responsibility, you can still recover damages in Oklahoma as long as you're not more than 50% at fault.

Can I sue if the driver was uninsured?

Yes. If you have uninsured motorist coverage through your own insurance company, you can claim it. We can also investigate whether other parties share liability due to their negligence, such as the vehicle owner (if different from the driver) or an employer (if the driver was working). In Oklahoma car accident cases, identifying all possible sources of insurance coverage is crucial for maximizing compensation.

How much does a head-on collision lawyer cost?

Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, typically taking a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. This arrangement allows anyone to afford quality legal representation.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a head-on collision?

In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. Some exceptions might extend this deadline in certain cases. It's best to talk to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.

Contact Our Tulsa Head-On Collision Lawyer Today

Contact Our Tulsa Head-On Collision Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a head-on collision, don't wait to get legal help. The attorneys at Richardson Richardson Boudreaux are ready to fight for your rights and help you seek fair compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain your options. Our experienced personal injury attorney team will give you straight answers about your claim's potential value. We understand how motor vehicle crashes happen and how to prove the at-fault driver should pay for your damages.

Remember, time limits apply to your right to seek compensation under Oklahoma law. Delays can hurt your case permanently. When crashes leave you injured, you need skilled representation to deal with insurance defense attorneys. Contact our office today or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation with a lawyer who cares about your recovery.

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Published by
charles “Chuck” richardson
about the author

Charles "Chuck" Richardson is a highly respected attorney and Managing Partner of Richardson Richardson Boudreaux Injury and Accident Attorneys. Renowned for his expertise in handling complex personal injury cases, including medical malpractice, commercial truck accidents, and catastrophic injury claims, Chuck has a proven track record of securing large verdicts and settlements. With an unwavering commitment to justice and a reputation for fearlessly taking on tough cases, Chuck has established himself as a powerful advocate for his clients' rights and financial recovery.

This page was written, edited, and reviewed & approved by Charles L. “Chuck” Richardson. Chuck has secured some of the largest verdicts in Oklahoma, including $6.9 million, $10 million, and $6.5 million. He’s known for taking on tough cases involving medical malpractice, commercial truck accidents, and catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been injured or harmed, Chuck has the experience to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.

Last Updated: May 6, 2025
Quick Answer

Car accidents are unfortunately common here in Oklahoma, and many people are left with serious, life-changing injuries as a result. When these accidents are caused by the negligence or reckless behavior of another driver, injured parties have a right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.

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