Head-on collisions are often some of the most dangerous for many reasons. Victims of these types of accidents often face significant, life-changing injuries. Given the high speeds and tremendous force involved, these kinds of crashes can prove fatal.
The Cleveland car accident attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter understand how devastating these collisions can be. Our lawyers are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
We’re prepared to put in the work and stand up to insurance companies on your behalf. For a free consultation with our head-on collision accident injury lawyers in Cleveland, contact our law firm today.
What Is a Head-On Collision?
A head-on collision occurs when the fronts of two vehicles collide. These are known to be among the most dangerous types of accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, head-on crashes account for 14% of all traffic fatalities.
The high rate of fatalities and significant injuries in these types of accidents is largely due to the amount of force exerted on the body, particularly when it involves two vehicles. This is due to the speed of both vehicles and the combined force of impact, which is then distributed through the body.
Common Causes Of Head-On Crashes in Cleveland
There are several circumstances that may result in a head-on collision with varying causes. However, some of the most common ones we see include:
- Centerline Crossover: This is among the most common and self-explanatory reasons for a head-on collision, where a vehicle crosses the center line and travels in the lane meant for oncoming traffic.
- Driving the Wrong Way: When drivers are unfamiliar with an area, they may find themselves unknowingly traveling the wrong way down a one-way road.
- Passing on a Two-Lane Road: This typically requires the intentional centerline crossover to overtake someone traveling in front of you. This action means the driver is traveling in the lane for oncoming traffic, and when they fail to accurately check their surroundings, it can cause an accident.
- Intoxication or Impairment: It is well known that one of the key signs of impairment in a driver is failing to stay in their own lane. While drunk drivers can cause accidents when they drift into lanes of the same direction traffic, it is often more dangerous when they cross the center line, causing an accident with oncoming traffic.
- Driver Fatigue: This is often listed as its own cause, separate from impairment, but the reality is that your brain operates similarly when you are tired. Driving while fatigued can cause you to fall asleep at the wheel, slow your reaction time, and make it more difficult to respond to road hazards. These dangers are notable in many semi-truck accidents.
Regardless of the exact cause of your accident, most head-on collisions are the result of someone failing to follow the flow of traffic or traffic laws when passing or overtaking another vehicle.
Ohio Traffic Laws That Often Apply to Head-on Collisions
There are several Ohio traffic laws that aim to protect drivers from unnecessary accidents, many of which are directly related to protecting you from head-on collisions. Most often, we see accidents as resulting from violating the following laws.
Drivers Must Stay Right of Center
Ohio law requires you to drive on the right of the center line in most cases unless you are deviating under the legally specified reasons which often include situations such as: passing or overtaking another vehicle in a permitted area, avoiding a hazard in the road, where there are marked signs or indicators that the road is a one way, or there are multiple marked lanes of traffic traveling in one direction.
Lane Discipline
In addition to being intentional about following traffic laws, you must also demonstrate strong lane discipline. This means that you can stay in your lane while you are driving without accidentally drifting. Lane discipline also means that you are intentional about your choice to change lanes or cross the center line, ensuring a sufficient clear distance to overtake a vehicle or avoid a hazard.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Head-On Crash?
When you discuss liability for a head-on car accident, an injury attorney aims to find the parties that demonstrate the four components of negligence, which include a duty of care, evidence that they breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused damages.
Liability is not always a simple thing, and a head-on collision accident injury lawyer near you may consider several sources of liability, such as:
- The other driver
- An employer of the other driver who failed to adequately vet, train, or supervise the employee
- A restaurant (though rare) that overserved an individual who then drove and left you injured in a head-on collision
- Roadway defects that caused you or another driver to lose control and cause the accident
Identifying all possible sources of liability is integral to maximizing your compensation. Working with our head-on collision accident lawyer can help you minimize your risk and maximize your recovery.
How We Prove the Other Driver Caused the Head-On Crash
Once we identify the responsible party, your head-on collision accident injury attorney must begin to show evidence to support the claim of negligence. While the specifics will depend on the details of your case, you can expect that your attorney will use evidence such as:
- Police Reports: Ohio law requires you to report your accident if it involved bodily injury or fatality, or more than $1,000 in property damage, meaning that you should call the police in most incidents, especially if you are injured in a head-on collision.
- Reconstruction Experts: If the responsible party is trying to deny their liability, your head-on collision accident injury lawyer may need to secure the services of reconstruction experts to demonstrate how the accident happened, showing how the other party would be responsible.
- Phone Data: We may pull phone data to show that the other person was sending text messages or otherwise distracted on their phone in violation of Ohio’s hands-free law.
- Video and Photo Evidence: Video and photo evidence of the accident, the scene, and the injuries can be invaluable in showing what happened and how the accident affected you.
- Witness Information: We may also use witness statements to corroborate the other evidence we have. This may include individuals who saw the accident, the aftermath, or even someone who saw the other person texting, speeding, or distracted immediately preceding the event.
Identifying and gathering evidence is one of the primary roles of our head-on collision accident injury lawyer near you. You do not have to face this situation and manage the negotiations alone. Working with us allows you the time to focus on your injuries while knowing we have the rest handled.
Injuries and Damages in a Head-on Crash
The injuries from a head-on crash are often significant and life-threatening, causing a debilitating amount of distress, time, and money to manage. Our head-on collision accident lawyer is prepared to help you account for all possible damages and fight for your right to compensation for them. These damages may include:
- Current and anticipated medical costs
- Lost wages due to time out of work
- Loss of earning potential if you are unable to earn money at the same level
- The cost of long-term care, such as physical therapy, or even rehab and nursing facilities
- Pain and suffering
The specific damages and values you are able to claim will depend upon your situation. Our head-on collision lawyers can provide more individualized information on what you can expect.
What to Do After a Head-On Collision in Cleveland
It can be difficult to know what to do when you are injured in a head-on collision. We have a few things that may help you after the accident.
- The first priority is always ensuring safety. Whether you think you are severely injured or not, please seek medical evaluation. You may do this by requesting EMS on scene, or by seeing a physician in the day or two following the accident. Not only does this ensure you are appropriately treated, but it can also provide valuable evidence later on.
- Next, most cases benefit from organization. You can create a folder that houses all of the important information, such as medical records and bills, estimates, quotes, police reports, and anything else related to the costs or injuries from the accident.
- Last, the sooner you are able to contact a head-on accident attorney to help, the sooner we can get to work on your case. At the scene, avoid saying anything that may be taken as guilt, even apologizing. The insurance company is likely to call you in the days following the accident, and it is wise to avoid speaking with them before contacting an attorney.
Ohio Deadlines and Shared-Fault Rules That Can Affect Your Claim
Due to Ohio’s modified comparative negligence statutes, you may find your compensation reduced by your percentage of allocated fault, should you assume any. Quickly contacting a head-on collision accident injury lawyer can help you minimize the risk of unfair fault and ensure that your claim is handled promptly.
The state’s statute of limitations is two years. However, this limitation may be more or less depending on several factors, but your attorney can help you identify the time you have left based on your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Head-On Collisions
What if the other driver crossed the centerline but claims I “drifted” first? How is fault determined?
If the other party claims you drifted first, you may find yourself defending against this allegation. However, we may use accident reconstruction to show that their drifting, not yours, caused the accident. If the other party cannot provide adequate evidence that you drifted and that directly caused the accident and injuries, it may not be a claim that has much impact on determining fault.
Can I recover compensation if I was a passenger injured in a head-on collision?
In many cases, passengers who are injured in a head-on collision are able to recover compensation, whether you were a passenger in the responsible party’s car or the other vehicle.
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured or fled the scene? What options do I have?
When the other party is uninsured, underinsured, or fled, you may be able to pursue compensation through your own insurance policy up to the appropriate coverage limits, or you may choose to pursue a lawsuit against the individual if appropriate. The head-on collision accident injury lawyer with Tittle & Perlmuter is dedicated to helping you explore all available options and get the compensation you need to move forward.
How long does a head-on collision case usually take to resolve?
Head-on injury claims can take a while to resolve, and it can be difficult to predict. However, we do know that we often face more pushback when the damages are more serious or when the case is weaker. However, at Tittle & Perlmuter, we are willing to do what it takes to get you the results you need, whether that means we are able to settle quickly or take the case all the way to court.
Contact a Cleveland Head-On Accident Attorney Near You
At Tittle & Perlmuter, we understand that going up against powerful insurance companies can feel like a David-and-Goliath situation. That’s why we’re here. We fight for your right to fair compensation and will work tirelessly on your behalf. For a free consultation with our head-on collision lawyers in Cleveland, contact our Northeast Ohio law firm today.
