A head-on collision is when the front of two vehicles crash into each other. These accidents are often the most dangerous types since they were traveling in different directions, which can cause a harder impact.
A head-on collision can cause injuries to the driver and passengers as well as serious damage to both vehicles. Injuries and property damage can cost thousands of dollars. You might be able to seek reimbursement for your financial losses.
A Santa Ana head-on collisions lawyer can review the details of your accident and help you pursue payments for your injuries and damaged vehicle. Call (844) 730-0233 to speak to one of our representatives at Ben Crump, PLLC about your case.
The Dangers and Losses of Head-On Accidents
Front-end crashes are riskier because each vehicle is traveling in opposite actions, magnifying the collision’s force. These accidents are the equivalent of driving into a brick wall since each vehicle suddenly comes to a dead stop.
However, a smaller, lighter car may suffer more damage if it crashes into a larger, heavier vehicle. Heavier vehicles give drivers and passengers more protection.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that front-end crashes cause more fatalities than other collision types, such as rear-end or sideswipe. Even though only 2% of crashes are head-on, frontal accidents make up 10% of crash fatalities.
Harm from a serious front-end impact often causes damage to the occupant’s head, neck, spinal cord, chest, and lower extremities. Some injuries can include:
- Whiplash
- Blunt trauma
- Broken bones, especially ribs
- Bruising and scarring
- Disfigurement
- Disability and paralysis
These injuries typically require immediate medical attention, and serious harm can involve surgeries, therapy, and rehabilitation. Health care expenses might be just the start of your losses from a frontal collision.
Collection Compensation from Losses
Emergency treatment, hospital stays, and doctor visits can add up quickly, even with health insurance. Your or your loved one’s injuries could put you in a financial hole as you struggle to keep up with the costs of recovery.
You can use your medical bills and records to show part of your economic losses. Economic losses are those with an assigned cost. For instance, your physician and facility services have a price listed on your invoices. Other health-related damages can include:
- Ambulance
- Prescription drugs
- Nursing home or home health services
- Medical equipment
- Surgeries
- Physical and mental therapy
If treatment for your injuries will take years or months, you should keep these future costs in mind when calculating your compensation amount. Your Santa Ana head-on collisions lawyer from Ben Crump, PLLC can review the incident and help you establish a figure for your losses.
Other economic losses are the repair or replacement costs for your vehicle. The accident might have also cost you in towing charges and rental car fees. Keep track of these expenses for your compensation request.
If your injury kept you from work, you might want to request reimbursement for your lost earnings. Likewise, you can seek payment for future wage losses if your injuries will prevent you from ever returning to your job. Be sure to consider increased living expenses.
Head-on collisions account for a disproportionate number of fatalities. You can seek payment for the loss of your family member based on the loss of consortium. Economic damages from death can also include medical, burial, and funeral expenses.
Pain and suffering is another legal term for any physical, emotional, and mental anguish you experienced due to the incident. This anguish might include the heartache of never being able to have the mobility you once did.
According to Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1, California law gives you two years to begin legal actions against the other party for injuries or death. For injuries, this date starts on the day of the accident. For wrongful death, this date begins on the day your family member died.
For a free legal consultation with a head-on collisions lawyer serving Santa Ana, call (844) 730-0233
Responsibility for a Frontal Crash
The state uses the comparative negligence model for determining who is at fault for an accident. Comparative negligence means that both or all parties can be partially liable for the incident.
By means of example, the responding officer at the scene of the accident might have determined that the driver speeding and the driver who wandered into the opposing lane are equally responsible or 50% each.
Each driver is financially liable for covering their percentage of damages. Using the same example, each driver would need to pay for half of the total damages. If the accident resulted in one driver needing $10,000 of medical attention and the other requiring $40,000, each might be responsible for $25,000.
Head-on collisions often occur when a driver:
- Drifts to the wrong side of the road
- Goes down a one-way street
- Tries to pass another car and goes into the opposite lane
- Fails to yield the right of way
- Is speeding or driving recklessly
Every driver has a duty of care to safely operate a vehicle and reduce the risk of harm to others. Courts might consider a driver negligent if they broke the law and an accident was the result.
Santa Ana Head-On Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
We Are Here to Help
If you are looking for a Santa Ana head-on collisions lawyer, contact Ben Crump, PLLC. We work on a contingency basis, meaning our fee comes from your compensation. We do not collect if you do not win your case.
Our team can negotiate with the other party’s insurance company on your behalf. We will fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Give us a call at (844) 730-0233 to speak with us about your head-on collision and the losses you suffered from it.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
