Jacksonville Head-on Collision Lawyer
A head-on collision is when two vehicles are traveling toward one another and subsequently collide in a manner that causes the front portion of one car to strike the front of the other. These crashes can result in severe injuries and even death. If you were injured in such a car wreck, contact a seasoned car accident attorney. Working with a dedicated Jacksonville head-on collision lawyer who could help you recover the damages that you deserve.
Common Causes of Front-End Car Wrecks
Some of the most common causes of head-on collisions are distracted driving and impaired driving. An impaired driver might not be fully cognizant of their vehicle’s movements and are likely to cross the center-line and cause a head-on crash. A distracted driver who looks down at their phone for even just a few seconds also risks crossing into oncoming traffic and may veer into the other lane and cause a front-end collision.
A less frequent but still possible situation would be someone driving with their headlights off at night. A vehicle that has its headlights turned off while it is dark or evening cannot be seen and could cause a head-on collision as well.
Injuries Associated with Head-on Crashes
Head-on accidents are often deadly because of the different pressure points on a vehicle. If vehicles are colliding head-on, a driver is especially vulnerable because of their proximity to the front of the car. As a result, many drivers involved in these kinds of collisions are exposed to orthopedic injuries and severe head trauma. Regardless of the type of injury, a claimant seeking monetary recovery would benefit from the legal guidance of a seasoned Jacksonville head-on car accident attorney.
Assigning Fault for an Accident
For head-on wrecks, fault is usually assigned to the driver of the vehicle that drifted into the oncoming lane. The lanes are well-marked, so there is little reason for veering over unless something has diverted a driver’s attention and they are not aware of where their lane ends.
Jacksonville courts employ contributory negligence to determine who is liable for causing an accident, which mandates the courts to consider whether the person who was injured had a chance to avoid the wreck. An injured claimant who negligently misses an opportunity to make some evasive actions to prevent an accident from happening could have their compensatory award reduced in proportion to their assigned percentage of fault.
Head-On Car Wreck Damages
A successful civil claim may award an injured plaintiff several types of damages to compensate for their losses. For example, a claimant could recover economic damages such as medical costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages may also be awarded to cover more intangible losses such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Punitive damages are rarely awarded and are meant to punish a responsible party for particularly egregious conduct. For instance, driving impaired or engaging in distracted driving may result in an injured plaintiff receiving punitive damages. This kind of compensation also helps discourage others from behaving similarly in the future.
The Role of an Attorney
The role of a lawyer is to gather evidence, establish fault, and help recover damages. An attorney could travel to the scene of the wreck and record any physical evidence that might be present such as skid tracks, tire marks, indentations in the roadway, and debris from the vehicles. It is ideal for legal counsel to get to the scene while the cars are still there so they can see their positioning first-hand, although this is not always feasible.
The next step would be obtaining a police report. The police will respond to an incident and subsequently, take measurements, record the damage to the vehicles, inspect everything, and hypothesize what led to the wreck. A skilled head-on collision lawyer in Jacksonville may retain an accident reconstruction expert who can examine the facts, numbers, and figures to help determine what happened.
Call a Jacksonville Head-On Collision Attorney Today
It can be critical for people to follow up with their doctors after a head-on car wreck, as they can be extremely dangerous and often inflict serious injuries. Regular doctor visitations would allow an experienced Jacksonville head-on collision lawyer to compile relevant medical documentation, which could make a significant difference during litigation. It is advisable to retain legal representation as soon as possible to promote the collection and preservation of crucial evidence which may otherwise be lost or destroyed over time. For this reason, you should reach out to qualified counsel today to learn more about your legal options.
