Head on collisions are among the most dangerous and deadly accidents on New Mexico roads. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, 636 people died in head-on collisions in one recent year. People fortunate enough to survive these collisions have a high risk of suffering catastrophic injuries, which can take a significant toll on their lives.

If you suffered injuries in a head-on accident caused by another driver, you may face extensive medical costs, unexpected time away from your job, and other challenges. An Albuquerque car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your losses and move forward with financial peace of mind following a devastating crash.

At The Law Office of Rivera and Gonzales, we stand up for the rights of injury victims throughout the Albuquerque. Let us handle every detail of your head-on collision case while you focus on your health. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our Albuquerque head on collision lawyers and learn more about your legal options.

What to Do After a Head-On Collision in Albuquerque

Your health must be your priority after a head-on collision. After you seek emergency medical care, your doctor will outline a treatment plan to help you recover to the fullest extent possible. Attend all follow-up appointments, take prescribed medications as directed, and follow your treatment plan as directed. These steps will aid your physical recovery and strengthen your legal case.

Once you’re under a doctor’s care, contact a Albuquerque head-on collision lawyer to learn more about your legal options. Your attorney will gather and review the evidence of the collision to identify all liable parties. Let them handle the details of your case, including all communications with insurance companies. They’ll keep you up to date on the progress of your case and give you the time and space you need to focus on your health.

Finally, while sharing the news of the collision and your resulting injuries on your social media accounts can be tempting, you must avoid posting about the accident. Insurance companies and the attorneys for the at-fault driver may use your social media posts to discredit your claims regarding the severity of the accident and the extent of your injuries.

What to Do After a Rear-End Collision

Head-on collisions can occur for various reasons, but driver negligence or recklessness is often the primary cause of this type of crash. Some of the most common causes of head-on crashes include:

• Distracted Driving — When a driver sends a text or is otherwise distracted behind the wheel, they endanger themselves and other road users. Drivers who take their eyes off the road, even briefly, are more likely to veer into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision.
• Impaired Driving — Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs may struggle to maintain control of their vehicles and stay alert and awake behind the wheel. These factors increase the risk of head-on collisions.
• Fatigued Driving — Driving while tired is risky and often as hazardous as driving while impaired. Drivers struggling to stay awake may veer into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle.
• Excessive Speed — Driving at a speed that exceeds the posted limit makes it harder for a driver to control the vehicle. When combined with other circumstances and conditions, such as inclement weather or sharp curves, speeding can cause the vehicle to cross over the median and collide with an oncoming car.
• Unsafe Passing — Attempting to pass on an undivided highway is risky, even when it’s legal. If a driver attempts to pass another car and misjudges the distance between themselves and an oncoming vehicle, it can cause a devastating collision.

Your head-on collision lawyer will review the details of the crash to determine what caused it and who is at fault. This information will guide them as they pursue compensation on your behalf.

Common Injuries Suffered After a Car Accident

Due to the speed at which head-on collisions often occur and the sheer force with which the vehicles collide, head-on collision injuries are likely to be severe. Some of the most common injuries that occur in head-on accidents include:

• Head and neck injuries, including whiplash and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Facial and dental injuries
• Back injuries, including spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Injuries resulting from blunt force trauma, including bruising, broken bones, internal bleeding, organ damage, and more
• Chest injuries
• Crushing injuries, including limb loss
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Fatal injuries

Many of these head-on collision injuries require extensive medical treatment, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Compensation for car accidents can help you pay the medical bills associated with seeking the necessary treatment for these and other head-on collision injuries.

Technology in Head-On Collision Prevention

Given the risk head-on collisions pose to the vehicles’ occupants, auto manufacturers are pursuing technological advances that may help reduce the likelihood of these devastating collisions occurring.



Collision prevention technology is an increasingly common feature in the newest motor vehicles. These systems are designed to prevent vehicle accidents by alerting drivers to potential threats through the use of lights, sounds, and, in some cases, automatic response from the vehicle.

One of the most promising technologies relevant to preventing head-on collisions is the lane departure warning system. This system is designed to prevent accidents caused by a driver drifting out of their lane, and it’s intended to work regardless of whether traffic in the adjacent lane is moving in the same or opposite direction. The method of alerting the driver is typically a beeping noise, although some of these systems will vibrate the steering wheel.

These systems are often designed specifically for use at highway speeds, which is beneficial because higher speeds result in more catastrophic collisions. Preventing as many of these accidents as possible will help reduce accident incidence, injuries, and fatalities.

Lane departure warning systems and other innovations in road safety — such as driver monitoring systems that provide an alert when a driver is falling asleep — may help reduce head-on collisions and other accidents. While many technologies are still in development, and there’s room for improvement in many systems currently in use, collision prevention technology offers reassurance to drivers who may be worried about becoming a victim of a head-on collision.

Recovering from a Head-On Collision

After a New Mexico head-on collision caused by another driver, you could seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. A car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other crash-related losses.

First, you can seek compensation for your medical expenses arising from the accident. These expenses may include emergency room visits, doctor’s visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

Furthermore, severe injuries will likely require you to miss work as you recover. Your attorney can help you seek compensation for lost income if you cannot work or must work part-time while recovering. You could also pursue loss of future earning capacity and benefits if your injuries result in permanent impairments or disabilities that prevent you from returning to your job or being gainfully employed.

Head-on collisions can drastically alter your life. You may be unable to participate in hobbies and activities you enjoyed before the accident, and you may live with chronic pain, emotional distress, and other conditions that detract from your enjoyment of life. You can also seek compensation for these losses — while recovering funds won’t bring back what you’ve lost, it can help you as you strive to find a way forward after a crash.

Statute of Limitations to File a Claim After a Head On Collision in Albuquerque

New Mexico law typically gives injury victims three years to file a lawsuit seeking compensation following a New Mexico head-on collision. Thus, you have two years from the accident date to prepare and file a lawsuit. For this reason, you should immediately contact an experienced car accident lawyer to assist with your legal case. Your attorney will need time to research and build your case, and it’s crucial to take legal action right away so you can meet the statutory deadline.

If you miss the statutory deadline, you could lose your chance to pursue compensation in civil court. Don’t wait to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Albuquerque to get started.

Contact Our Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer Today

The process of seeking compensation after a head-on collision is challenging. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. The knowledgeable legal team at The Law Office of Rivera & Gonzales has significant experience handling head-on collision cases and advocating for the rights of injury victims like you. Our firm understands the challenges you face following a catastrophic car accident, and we’re here to fight on your behalf and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

When you contact The Law Office of Rivera & Gonzales, we will listen to your story and handle every aspect of your legal battle so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with our Albuquerque car accident lawyers.