Of all the incidents a motor vehicle operator in Ohio might find themselves involved in, head-on collisions are by far the most dangerous. Running directly into a car traveling in the opposite direction as yours greatly increases the relative force of the impact, so even low-speed front-end wrecks can cause severe injuries and result in thousands of dollars in damages.
Given the scale of harm this type of accident can cause, it may be especially important that you seek qualified legal counsel from a Sandusky front-end collision lawyer before pursuing any action against another negligent party. A knowledgeable car accident attorney who has previously dealt with head-on accidents should be well-equipped to help you pursue comprehensive restitution for your injuries.
Causes and Effects of Head-On Collisions
While many accidents occur at busy intersections or in stop-and-go traffic, front-end car crashes are much more common on narrow two-lane roads and larger highways that lack a median dividing traffic. Some of the most common causes of front-end collisions include:
- Swerving to avoid an obstacle
- Speeding
- Passing at inappropriate times
- Driving while distracted
- Driving on the wrong side of the road while drunk or at night
Regardless of how it happens, a head-on collision almost always has a jarring and violent impact on everyone in the vehicles. Drivers and front-seat passengers in particular may suffer contusions, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or spine damage from being thrown against the steering wheel or dashboard. Flying glass and metal can sometimes cause deep lacerations as well.
In the most severe cases, front-end car crashes in Sandusky can cause damage to internal organ and limbs, potentially requiring surgical intervention and even amputation. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for injuries in this kind of wreck to have permanent effects on the people involved.
Factoring All Available Damages into a Car Crash Case
Recovering full compensation in the wake of a serious car accident requires a plaintiff and their attorney to take both economic and non-economic damages into account. Beyond just objective losses like medical expenses and car repair costs, any accident victim who suffered serious injuries should seek restitution for subjective forms of harm like physical pain and loss of enjoyment of life.
Both short-term and long-term losses should be factored into a settlement demand or court case following a head-on car crash in Sandusky. This is especially true if the incident in question caused the plaintiff to suffer a permanent disability or disfigurement. Qualified legal counsel could help an injured person determine what damages they could seek compensation for under their particular circumstances.
The Statute of Limitations to File a Claim
It is important to remember that even catastrophic injuries do not exempt a prospective civil plaintiff from having to abide by the statute of limitations. For almost all car accident cases, Ohio Revised Code §2305.10 sets a filing deadline of two years following the incident in question. Failing to meet this deadline will likely leave an injured person unable to recover any compensation whatsoever.
Seek Help from a Sandusky Front-End Collision Attorney
Head-on collisions can be uniquely devastating accidents under any circumstances, and are often fatal at high speeds. If you were hurt in one of these wrecks recently, pursuing compensation from the party responsible may be crucial to preserving your financial stability and ensuring you can live a happy and productive life in the wake of such a horrific crash.
Retaining skilled legal counsel should be a high priority after getting involved in a front-end car accident. Call a Sandusky front-end collision lawyer at Tittle & Perlmuter today to set up your initial consultation and start discussing your legal options.