Head on Collision Lawyer in Virginia
Head-on, or frontal, collisions, are among the most catastrophic. These typically occur when the front ends of two vehicles crash into one another. However, some single-vehicle accidents are also head-on collisions.
When a car drifts into your lane, they can cause a serious wreck that can result in traumatic injuries and costly property damage. However, the losses you suffer because of the other driver’s negligence may be recoverable with the help of a Virginia head-on collision lawyer.
How Do Head-on Collisions Happen?
A head-on accident occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the front-end of another vehicle. Usually, this happens when someone fails to stay in their designated lane. The three most common causes of head-on collisions are:
- Intoxication
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
Regardless of the specific cause of your head-on collision, our Virginia lawyers can help you establish fault so that you can get the compensation you need and deserve.
Intoxicated Driving
One of the most common causes of front-end collisions is intoxication. When someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol or narcotics, it affects their ability to perceive what is happening around them and control their motor vehicle. This can result in them leaving their lane and causing a horrific head-on crash.
Distracted Driving
Another common cause of head-on accident is distracted driving. A driver may look down at their phone trying to text or follow the GPS. In a matter of seconds, they can drift out of their line and across the centerline and cause a violent impact with a vehicle going the other direction.
Fatigue
A final common cause of front-end collisions is fatigued driving. Drivers who are fatigued may fall asleep at the wheel and veer into the opposite lane of travel, causing a head-on crash. Our skilled attorneys in Virginia could help someone prepare a car accident claim depending on the cause of their head-on collision.
Common Injuries From Front-End Wrecks
Head-on collisions may result in traumatic injuries such as debilitating orthopedic injuries, broken bones, and torn ligaments that require surgery or have a permanent, lasting effect. Because of the force of the impact and the severity of the collision, traumatic brain injuries may also occur if someone strikes their head inside the vehicle and loses consciousness.
It is important to follow up with health care providers after a head-on collision due to the severity of these injuries. Further, many times, these injuries are not apparent right away. When someone has multiple injuries, their focus is initially on the most severe injuries.
As time passes and the pain of the most severe injuries begins to subside, they begin to notice pain or limitations in other parts of their body. By following up with your doctor, you can make sure you receive all the proper medical care you need.
Is a Head-On Collision One of the Worst Types of Crash?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 58 percent of all fatal car accidents involve frontal impact, otherwise known as a head-on collision.
They most often result when drivers are distracted, drunk, or impaired. Many head-on collisions happen at or near intersections, especially when motorists drive the wrong way or make risky or unsafe turns.
Determining Fault in a Head-On Car Accident Case
In a head-on collision, the physical evidence at the scene that indicates where the impact occurred plays the largest role in establishing fault or liability. For example, there may be skid marks or other marks on the roadway that suggest where the vehicles suddenly stopped. Photographs and eye-witness statements can also help prove liability. These pieces of evidence are essential in establishing fault in a front-end crash.
The location of impact is the most essential factor that can determine liability. When there is evidence to show the impact occurred in the injured person’s lane of travel, it is most likely the other driver is at fault. However, if the evidence suggests the impact is much closer to the centerline, insurance companies may argue that the other driver is at fault. Therefore, it is important that an injured person works with an experienced Virginia lawyer who can combat these arguments in a head-on car accident case.
When Do Punitive Damages Apply?
The most common way punitive damages are awarded in a head-on collision case is when the at-fault driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash. When someone causes a crash in Virginia and their blood alcohol level was 0.15 or higher, the injured party is entitled to seek punitive damages from that driver by law.
The goal of punitive damages is to punish the driver for their criminal conduct and to deter other members of the public from driving under the influence.
Reach Out to a Virginia Head-On Collision Attorney for Help
If you were injured in a front-end crash, a Virginia personal injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Our diligent attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can thoroughly examine the evidence surrounding the circumstances of the crash and use them to illustrate how the other driver was liable. To discuss how we can help you, call today for a free consultation.
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