A head-on collision can cause severe injuries that generate massive losses for the victim. Injuries of this magnitude often require complex—sometimes multiple—surgeries. Even with the most sophisticated treatment, the victim’s life might change forever. Damages from the accident could affect their health, employment status, and quality of life, among other things.
If another driver negligently crashed into the front of your vehicle, consider pursuing compensation for your losses, but do not take the matter onto your shoulders. Let a Bakersfield head-on collisions lawyer fight on your behalf.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today for a free consultation at (844) 730-0233.
How Head-On Collisions Happen
A motor vehicle driver can crash into the front of another vehicle—in a head-on collision—for various reasons. Common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Driver fatigue
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Incorrectly adjusting to weather/road conditions
In each of the above scenarios, the driver who caused the accident likely did so out of negligence. For this reason, the victims of each of these types of accidents can demand that the negligent driver cover damages from accident-related injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a head-on collisions lawyer serving Bakersfield, call (844) 730-0233
Establishing Liability
If you decide to seek compensation from the person who caused your head-on collision, consider the complexity of this undertaking. A court will not hand you money simply because you suffered an injury in a crash. You must first prove to the court the four essential elements of any personal injury case, as follows:
- Duty of care: You must prove the defendant had a legal responsibility to take reasonable care to keep you from harm.
- Breach: You must prove the defendant failed to uphold their duty of care.
- Causation: You must prove the defendant’s violation of their duty caused you to suffer an injury.
- Damages: You must prove you experienced losses (and/or will experience future losses) as the result of the injury the defendant caused you to suffer.
A personal injury lawyer knows what types of evidence a jury needs to see to convince them that the above statements pertain to your case.
Bakersfield Head-On Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Finding the Evidence to Support Your Claim
A personal injury lawyer not only understands the nuances of building a compelling case but also knows where to find the evidence to support your claim.
When you hire a Bakersfield head-on collisions lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, our team will launch an investigation into every aspect of your accident. This investigation will aim to gather evidence that proves duty, breach, causation, and damages. To investigate your accident, we can:
- Travel to the accident scene
- Interview witnesses
- Seek out nearby surveillance videos
- Review photos of the scene, injuries, and other relevant images
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists who could provide insight into the accident
- Obtain a copy of the police accident report
- Gather your accident-related medical records
- Get wage statements from your employer
We also could seek professional input from experts who can testify to the extent to which your injuries have affected—and will later affect—you. This testimony will weigh heavily in a jury’s consideration of your award.
If you are ready to explore your legal options and next steps, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today for a free consultation at (844) 730-0233.
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Calculating Your Damages
Much of the evidence we gather will pertain to establishing negligence and causation. However, other pieces will lay the groundwork for calculating the damages we will include in a demand letter to the defendant’s insurance company. Although our lawyers can prepare your case with a court in mind, most personal injury cases settle with the defendant’s insurer without either side having to set foot in a courtroom.
Some of the types of damages a jury might consider in determining your court award include:
- Doctors’ and surgeons’ fees (past and future)
- Emergency transportation
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy/rehab
- Prescription medications
- Replacement services
- Lost or reduced income and benefits
- Diminished earnings (future and potential)
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
We will assign a value to each loss and present the list and total to the defendant’s insurer. If they counteroffer, we could negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf. If they do not agree on a suitable amount, we can file a lawsuit and move to settle the matter in a civil court.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Wrongful Death
Head-on collisions cause such severe injuries, and sometimes these injuries are fatal. If your loved one died due to injuries they suffered in a head-on collision, we are sorry for your loss. Please know that you can consider pursuing a wrongful death action to collect compensation from the at-fault party whose negligence led to your loved one’s death.
The wrongful death lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can handle this matter on your behalf.
Statute of Limitations in California
Any personal injury case in California must abide by the state’s statute of limitations. This law restricts the amount of time you have following an accident in which to file a lawsuit. California enforces a statute of limitations of two years for personal injury cases, as outlined in California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1.
You will want to give your lawyer plenty of time to investigate and build your case and negotiate with the insurer. The sooner you hire a law firm to represent you, the more time you have to take these steps and still be able to file a lawsuit if the insurer does not agree to a settlement that meets your needs.
A Bakersfield Head-On Collisions Lawyer Can Fight for Your Compensation
Injuries from a head-on collision can turn your life upside down—at least temporarily. Do not burden yourself with anything beyond resting and recovering from your injury.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, is ready to represent you in your pursuit of compensation for your injuries. You need not worry about the cost of representation. We charge you only if and when we win you an insurance settlement or court award.
Call our office today for a free consultation at (844) 730-0233.
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