A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions strike each other on their front ends. These can lead to severe injuries or even death. If you were injured in a front-end car crash, consider retaining the services of a head-on collision lawyer to advocate on your behalf. A knowledgeable Cleveland car accident attorney could help you seek compensation for damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How Do Front-End Accidents Occur?
One common reason a head-on collision could occur is a driver driving the wrong way on the road, especially one-way streets. Similarly, a vehicle entering a highway using the off-ramp thinking it is the on-ramp can cause a crash.
Additionally, an accident can occur if a driver is intoxicated, distracted, or exhausted. Another common cause of a front-end crash is hazardous weather or road conditions. Ohio frequently has snow, ice, and other adverse weather conditions, sometimes forcing drivers to lose control of their car, striking a vehicle that is lawfully traveling the other way.
Common Injuries in Head-On Collisions
In a head on-collision, at least one of the vehicles is usually traveling at a high rate of speed, impacting at its heaviest point where the motor is, resulting in significant injuries such as broken bones and crushing injuries to the legs.
A driver holding onto the steering wheel could receive shoulder dislocations or torn rotator cuffs. When the airbag deploys, it may cause a broken nose and lacerations to the face. The driver is surrounded in their immediate vicinity by a windshield and a side window, which, depending on the severity of the impact, could send shattered glass into the driver, causing lacerations. Additionally, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often result due to a head-on crash. It is best to seek immediate medical help following a crash. A local front-end collision attorney could use the injured claimant’s medical records and history to prove the severity of their injuries.
Following Up with Doctors
When someone is injured in a head-on collision, they need to seek medical attention right away. It is important to get to the emergency room to make sure nothing is seriously wrong, because head-on collisions have the potential for substantial injuries.
Follow-up visits are important to make sure they are getting proper medical treatment and healing correctly. Follow-up medical treatment could also detect certain types of brain injuries that may not have manifested until much later.
If the case is not settled and ends up in court, the injured claimant’s doctor will need to substantiate that their injuries were caused by the head-on collision.
How do Insurance Companies Assign Fault for Head-On Collisions?
Fault in a head-on collision is assigned by insurance companies and traffic law on a case-by-case basis. The police report is examined to determine whether or where liability should be apportioned. Reports provide a description of where the vehicles were in relation to each other and identify where the impact occurred on the road to determine who is at fault.
Additionally, a personal injury attorney could investigate the incident and determine whether the other driver failed to follow the rules of the road and caused the collision.
Factors That Could Help Determine Liability
To determine who is liable in a head-on collision case, the location of the impact on the roadway is an important primary factor. In addition, witness statements are fundamental in identifying who caused the impact or failed to yield the right-of-way. Another factor is whether a crash reconstruction was done by the police department to show where and how it occurred.
Certain kinds of physical evidence, such as skid marks, can show which car was traveling in which direction. An experienced head-on car accident lawyer could identify these pieces of evidence to be used in a potential settlement or trial.
Punitive Damages in Head-On Collisions
Punitive damages are extra damages that could be awarded to a plaintiff if a defendant was found to be reckless or intentional in their actions. It is meant to punish and deter future behavior. If a driver causes an accident while doing something reckless, such as texting and driving, then that could lead to punitive damages.
If the defendant lost control because they were speeding during a blizzard or other hazardous conditions, as well as driving dangerously, that could be considered reckless driving and opens up the possibility of punitive damages.
A Head-On Collision Attorney Is Standing By
A head-on car crash is one of the scariest types of motor vehicle accidents. In addition to any bodily harm, it could leave long-lasting psychological trauma and financial burdens. Schedule a free consultation with Tittle & Perlmuter to see how a head-on collision lawyer could assist you in your time of need.
