San Francisco Head-On Collision Car Accident Lawyers & Personal Injury Attorneys

Few accidents are as devastating as a head-on collision. When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, the combined force often results in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. On Bay Area roads, such as Highway 101, I-280, and I-80, as well as local streets in San Francisco and Oakland, these crashes can change lives in an instant.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on collision, you may be facing overwhelming medical bills, lost wages from being off work, and a long road to recovery. At The Hassell Law Group, our award-winning team of personal injury lawyers has over 90 years of combined experience representing car accident victims. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients and their families, and we’re committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Head-On Collisions

Head-on crashes are often the result of reckless or negligent driving. In the Bay Area, the most common causes include:

• Drunk or drug-impaired driving – Intoxicated drivers are more likely to drift into oncoming lanes.
• Distracted driving – Texting, looking at GPS, or reaching for items inside the car.
• Fatigue – Overly tired drivers may fall asleep at the wheel and cross the center line.
• Wrong-way driving – Entering freeways or one-way streets in the wrong direction.
• Improper passing – Attempting to pass on a two-lane road without enough visibility or space from oncoming cars.
• Poor weather or road conditions – Rain, fog, or dangerous curves increase risks.

These collisions are entirely preventable. When another driver’s negligence causes serious bodily injury or death, they should be held accountable for their actions.

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Catastrophic Injuries from Head-On Vehicle Crashes

Head-on accidents typically occur at high speeds, multiplying the force of impact. As a result, the injuries are often severe and life-changing. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Caused by direct impact or violent jolts.
• Spinal cord injuries – leading to partial or even complete paralysis.
• Multiple fractures – Arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis often suffer severe breaks.
• Internal organ damage – From the force of seatbelts or crushed vehicle frames.
• Severe burns – In accidents involving fires or explosions.
• Fatal injuries – Tragically common in head-on collisions due to the force of impact.

Victims may require surgery, rehabilitation, and lifelong medical care. Families often face financial strain in addition to emotional devastation.

Determining Liability in Head-On Car Accidents

Establishing fault in a head-on collision can be a complex process. Still, liability often falls on the driver who entered the wrong lane. Common scenarios include:

• A driver swerving across the center line.
• A motorist driving the wrong way down a freeway or one-way street.
• Passing illegally on a two-lane highway.
• Drunk or distracted drivers are drifting into opposing traffic.

In some cases, third parties may also be responsible, such as:

• A company whose employee was driving intoxicated while on the job.
• A city or state agency who employed a bus driver who was inattentive to the road
• A manufacturer whose delivery driver attempted to unsafely pass a slower vehicle

California’s comparative negligence law allows injured victims to recover compensation even if they share some responsibility for the crash. For example, if you were also speeding at the same time another vehicle crossed into your lane and hit you head on. You can still recover for the other driver’s share of the fault.

Compensation Available to Victims and Families

Head-on collisions often leave victims and families facing massive financial losses. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses – Emergency care, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, rehabilitation, and future treatment.
• Lost wages – Income missed during recovery.
• Lost or Reduced earning capacity – If injuries prevent returning to work or reduce your capacity to work.
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress – For physical pain and emotional distress.
• Loss of consortium – For the impact on relationships.
• Wrongful death damages – Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support for surviving family members.

Our attorneys advocate for maximize recovery so victims and families can focus on healing.

What to Do After a Head-On Auto Collision

If you’re involved in a head-on crash, taking the proper steps can protect both your health and your legal claim:

1. Call 911 immediately – Report the crash and request emergency services. Obtain a police report.
2. Seek medical attention – Even if injuries don’t seem obvious, get checked immediately.
3. Document the scene – Take photos of the vehicles, road, and traffic signals.
4. Gather information – Collect details from the driver, passenger, and witnesses.
5. Do not admit fault – Avoid making statements that could be used against you.
6. Contact The Hassell Law Group – We’ll handle the legal process and deal with the negligent parties and any insurers.

Why Choose The Hassell Law Group

After a head-on collision, you need a law firm with proven experience and a long track record of success. Here’s why clients across the Bay Area choose us:

• Proven results – Continuous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for accident victims.
• Recognition – Named to Best Lawyers 2025, a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and recognized by TopVerdict and National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
• Success rate – We win our cases.
• Client-centered approach – We provide compassionate, personalized legal representation every step of the way.

Recent Case Results

We’ve secured significant results for clients injured in severe crashes:

$12.5 Million+ Confidential Settlement Result for a woman who was severely injured in a head-on collision caused by a commercial truck driver.

$5,000,000 settlement for an injured woman in her 70s and her husband who was killed in a head-on collision caused by a negligent driver.

$4,900,000 result for our client in his mid-50s, who was seriously injured when his vehicle was T-boned by a cement truck.

$4,677,244 court judgment in San Mateo County in a serious motorcycle accident where the motorcyclist was hit head on by a car driving on the wrong side of the road.

$4,500,000 settlement for a client in her 60s, a pedestrian, who was hit by a vehicle while crossing in the crosswalk in San Francisco.

$2,525,000 result for clients who were pedestrians involved in an accident caused by a loose trailer pulled by an agricultural vehicle.

These results highlight our dedication to securing justice for clients in the Bay Area.

FAQs About Head-On Auto Collisions

Who is usually at fault in a head-on collision?

Typically, the driver who crossed into oncoming traffic, but investigation can be required.

What if the crash involved a drunk driver?

You may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensation for your losses.

Can family members file claims for a loved one killed in a head-on accident?

Yes. Families can file a wrongful death claim and recover financial losses and emotional damages.

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

In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If a government entity is responsible for the accident, you have only 6 months from the date of the accident to file a claim.

Contact Our San Francisco Bay Area Head-On Collision Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on crash, don’t delay. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. At The Hassell Law Group, we will zealously advocate to obtain the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Call us today at (415) 334-4111 for a free consultation. We serve San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Daly City, San Mateo, and communities throughout the Bay Area.

You can focus on recovery – while we handle the rest.

The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice, and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.