If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on truck accident, the truck accident attorneys at Munley Law are ready to take on trucking companies and insurers on your behalf. With more than 65 years of experience, we have won many multi-million-dollar settlements for our clients, including a record-setting $26 million in a truck accident case.
Munley Law is the only law firm in Pennsylvania to have three lawyers certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and all our attorneys are members of the American Association of Justice, with partner Marion Munley currently serving as its Vice President and honored as the first woman to head the Trucking Litigation Group.
We understand the confusion and stress that come with these types of motor vehicle accidents. Our award truck accident lawyers will guide you through every step of the process, from investigating the accident to filing a claim and getting the maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
How Do Head-On Truck Accidents Occur?
Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide in a frontal collision. These crashes are some of the most traumatic in terms of the damage caused, often resulting in life-threatening injuries or death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 114,552 truck accidents resulted in injuries in 2023, along with 5,375 fatal crashes. The force generated by the impact of a head-on truck accident is often too much for even the strongest vehicles to handle. This is because a semi-truck is so much bigger and heavier than a passenger vehicle.
Head-on truck collisions usually arise from reckless driving or a truck driver’s negligence. Unfortunately, head-on truck accidents involve two vehicles – either a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler or a head-on crash between two large commercial trucks. Both result in greater physical injury, property damage, and emotional distress than a head-on crash involving a passenger car.
Munley Law has years of experience helping victims of head-on truck collisions recover the compensation they need to move forward with their lives. If you or someone you know has been injured in a head-on truck collision, don’t hesitate to get help from our knowledgeable legal professionals today.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Common Causes of Head-On Crashes with Truck Drivers
Head-on traffic collisions have many different causes. Some of the most common causes of these kinds of frontal impact collisions include:
Impaired Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs: Truck drivers who operate their large trucks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are acting negligently. Reaction times are slowed significantly when the blood alcohol content is above legal limits. Judgment is seriously impaired when a driver is drugged. Either of these can easily lead a truck driver to lose control. Recent NHTSA statistics show that 4% of truck drivers involved in fatal truck accidents in 2023 were under the influence of alcohol while driving.
Distracted Driving: One of the most serious forms of distracted driving is texting on a cell phone while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that texting and driving leads to more than 2,800 fatalities in the United States every year. When a truck driver texts while driving, they are not focusing on the road and may not realize they have missed a turn, turned onto a one-way road, or failed to take some action needed to drive safely. They may also veer into the other lane and hit other vehicles traveling in the opposing direction.
Drowsy Driving: Many truck drivers cause accidents at night when they are tired. The effects of fatigued driving are similar to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Response times are significantly reduced. Driver fatigue can cause tractor-trailers to cross a median, or multiple lanes of traffic, and end up on the other side of the road in another vehicle’s way. According to data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, driver fatigue accounts for up to 13% of all large truck accidents in the US.
Confusing Signage or Ineffective Traffic Control Devices: Sometimes, truck accidents happen because road signs or traffic control devices are confusing or ineffective. Included in this cause of accidents is the lack of artificial lighting on roads and at intersections, especially on rural or narrow roadways. Plus, traffic changes not marked clearly in construction zones can also cause confusion. The most common type of truck crash that occurs because of confusing signage or ineffective traffic control devices is entry in the wrong direction onto a highway by the exit ramp.
Driver Unfamiliar with Location: In some cases, a wrong-way incident is caused by a driver in a location they have never been in before. This can be a problem, especially in an area where there are many one-way streets. When a driver is not familiar with a location, any missing or blocked signs, especially in construction zones, can easily lead to traffic collisions.
Vehicle Malfunction: A head-on truck accident can occur when large trucks have a tire blowout or other malfunction. This can be caused by a failure to maintain the vehicle by the semi-truck driver.
Types of Injuries Common in a Head-On Collision
A head-on collision usually causes serious injuries and is often fatal. Even when drivers and passengers survive a head-on truck crash, they suffer injuries that are severe. Common injuries include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries that can cause partial or complete paralysis
- Internal injuries, including severe injuries to organs in the abdomen and chest
- Broken bones
If you or your family members suffered any of these injuries in a head-on collision with a large truck, you may have a legal right to sue the truck driver and the truck company. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation for injuries and other damages, including pain and suffering.
Types of Compensation Available to Victims of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Victims of head-on collisions with a tractor trailer or other large truck may be able to receive compensation for some or all of the following:
Present and Future Medical Bills. The accident attorneys at Munley Law can help you receive compensation for past, present, and future medical expenses. These medical expenses may include hospital stays or any cost incurred in the treatment of an injury caused by the accident.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity. Your normal life may be on hold after a head-on collision, and your injuries may have stopped you from working. You may be able to receive compensation to cover your lost wages as well as any future income that you will miss because of the injuries you sustained.
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. Head-on collisions can cause all types of injuries that can result in long-term medical care, which includes physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Our accident lawyers will make sure the insurance company will pay not only for your current medical bills but any future medical expenses as a result of ongoing care.
Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress. In addition to physical injuries, traffic collisions are a traumatic experience that can result in mental anguish and emotional distress. During your case, our accident attorneys will seek compensation that covers the costs of your resulting anguish, such as depression, stress, and even loss of sleep.
Loss of Enjoyment of Daily Activities. Similar to emotional distress, severe head-on crashes may cause an injury victim to lose enjoyment in their usual daily activities. They may withdraw from social interactions and lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy.
Loss of Consortium / Loss of Companionship. If you have been severely injured in a crash with a semi-truck, you may experience a loss of consortium. Simply put, loss of consortium refers to the deprivation of the benefits of parenting or married life due to the inability to show affection or love.
Wrongful Death Damages. If your family member was killed, you may be able to sue the truck driver and the semi-truck company in order to get justice for your loved one and to ensure you and your family are secure financially in the future. These damages allow you to grieve, move forward, and build a life without worrying about providing for your family. You may be entitled to receive some or all of the following forms of compensation:
- Payment for damage to the vehicle, or to buy another vehicle
- Payment for your and your loved one’s medical expenses
- Payment for past and future lost wages
- Compensation for emotional anguish and mental pain and suffering
- Reimbursement for funeral expenses
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
What Can I Expect if I File a Claim After a Head-On Accident With a Semi-Truck?
When you file a lawsuit, the truck drivers’ insurance company will likely reach out to offer you a settlement. It is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve. This is especially true if you have filed a lawsuit because your loved one was killed in a head-on collision. This kind of lawsuit is called a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death lawyer can assist you in your claim for damages, which could include funeral and medical expenses, lost future wages, mental anguish, emotional distress, and other damages. If the insurance company will not settle for a fair amount that compensates you for all your damages, then a personal injury lawyer will take your case to trial in court.
What Will a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
If the experienced truck accident lawyers at Munley Law are representing you, we will:
- Discover who is at fault for your injury: Many serious accidents involve multiple parties who can be held responsible. The more parties involved in the crash, the more complex a claim can be.
- Estimate how much your claim is worth: The initial settlement you receive from insurance companies generally does not cover all your expenses. That’s because the adjuster is trying to settle your claim for the lowest amount possible. Unfortunately, many injury victims don’t know how much their claim is truly worth and will take the first settlement offer they receive. This is a mistake.
- Negotiate with the insurance company: Insurance companies will do whatever they can to pay you as little as possible. Insurance adjusters may try to bully you or persuade you to take the first amount offered. You’ll need a strong negotiating team to help you with a settlement.
- Represent you in court: If a settlement cannot be reached, you’ll need an aggressive trial team to represent you in the courtroom. All our attorneys have experience in the courtroom and will fight on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on truck accident, it’s important to seek legal help as soon as possible. After being seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a vehicle heading in the wrong direction, life can be difficult and overwhelming. If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on truck collision or any other motor vehicle accident, it’s important to seek qualified legal help right away. This way, you can focus on getting well, and your lawyer can handle the complex legal process of obtaining compensation for your injuries and losses.
Munley Law’s Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
Our legal experts at Munley Law have the knowledge, expertise, and dedication needed to fairly evaluate your case and win a settlement that properly compensates you for your suffering. Partners Marion Munley and Daniel Munley are both members of the Board of Regents and board certified by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, and our firm has three board-certified truck accident attorneys on staff, with Marion and Daniel Munley holding three board certifications each in Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Trial Advocacy. All our lawyers are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, with Caroline Munley certified as a workers’ compensation specialist by the Section on Workers’ Compensation Law.
Our firm has also won many industry awards for our ongoing achievements. All of our attorneys have received honors from Best Lawyers, with Marion Munley named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation, Daniel Munley named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, and James Christopher Munley named Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation. Best Lawyers also owns Best Law Firms, which our law firm has been awarded annually, and eight of our lawyers are also featured as Super Lawyers, with Marion Munley consecutively named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and the Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers directories.
Speak To a Truck Accident Attorney Now
Frequently Asked Questions About Head-On Truck Accidents
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Top Trucking Accident Lawyer?
At Munley Law, we understand that the financial burdens following a serious injury can be overwhelming. That’s why our lawyers work on a contingent fee basis. This means that we do not collect legal fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you.
That’s right. You pay nothing upfront. Plus, we offer a free consultation to review your case and inform you of your rights. If you think you may have a case, or if you have questions about filing a lawsuit, we will evaluate the details of your situation at no charge and let you know what legal options are available for you.
How many deadly road accidents are caused by large trucks each year?
Data from the NHTSA show that in 2023, large trucks accounted for 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal traffic accidents. They also accounted for 5% of all vehicles involved in crash-related property damage and injury cases that year.
How many truck accidents are head-on collisions?
The NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts report notes that in 2023, 32.1% of truck accidents involved head-on collisions from both vehicles involved. The data shows that 60.8% of all fatal two-vehicle truck accidents reported that year involved the trucks being hit head-on, and 68.0% of these crashes involved the other vehicle being struck head-on.
How many truck accidents are caused by drivers driving under the influence?
Statistics from 2023 show that 4% of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes that year were driving under the influence of alcohol.
What damages can I claim after being involved in a head-on truck accident?
Your Munley Law attorney will build a case seeking both economic and non-economic damages for your accident. Economic damages will cover your current and ongoing medical expenses, your loss of income, and other expenses, such as vehicle repairs or replacement of your car and personal property. Non-economic damages will compensate you for pain, suffering, mental conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What do I do if a loved one has been killed by a head-on truck crash?
You could be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a family member or loved one was involved in a fatal head-on truck collision. This type of case will compensate you for funeral expenses, the costs of repairing or replacing your loved one’s vehicle, medical and rehabilitation costs, payment for lost wages, and compensation for your grief and emotional suffering.
Recovering from a head-on truck accident can be a traumatic experience, requiring significant physical and emotional care. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a head-on collision truck accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney right away. Our team of experienced lawyers is here to help, offering compassionate representation and skillful guidance throughout the legal process. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation, and let us help you get started on the road to recovery.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on December 3, 2025.
