Head-on collisions are, by far, one of the most dangerous types of car accidents someone can go through, especially if the event involves trucks.
These types of accidents can lead to many severe injuries (like traumatic brain injuries), which can lead to high medical bills, lost wages, and a wide range of other physical/psychological problems.
Determining who's at fault for a motor vehicle accident can be hard depending on the circumstances, but it's the most important part of the process for those who want to get properly compensated for their injuries.
The personal injury attorney team at Schuerger Shunnarah has years of experience in car accidents and is willing to 'go to war' for all their clients who sustained serious injuries. Those interested in making a personal injury claim can request a free consultation today. They can also provide insight on who's at fault in rear-end truck accidents.
This article will cover how to determine fault in head-on collisions, as well as the importance of having Indianapolis semi truck accident lawyers on the victim's side to seek justice.
What's Considered a Head-on Collision?
As the name suggests, a head-on collision is a type of car accident where there's a full frontal collision involved. These crashes often involve two vehicles going in opposite directions, which causes them to strike each other from the front.
Now, it's important to note that head-on collisions don't necessarily have to involve two or more people. Someone is considered to be in a head-on collision if they hit a stationary object while driving.
What makes a head-on collision dangerous is that it often involves a lot of force, and even though the cars' hoods may absorb some of it, the impact could still cause severe injuries to the victims.
What Can Cause Head-on Collisions?
A head-on crash happens when a car goes into an opposing traffic lane and crashes into another car or object. This often happens when a driver goes the wrong way and drives into oncoming traffic.
Now, many factors may contribute to a head-on collision. These include:
Distracted Driving: The at-fault party was texting or talking on the phone (or not paying attention to the road in general).
Fatigued Driving: The driver fell asleep or closed their eyes for a moment while driving, causing them to lose control of the truck.
Confusion: The driver entered a highway or one-way street in the wrong direction, increasing the risk of driving into oncoming traffic.
Recklessness: The driver failed to drive safely.
Driving Under the Influence: The driver was heavily intoxicated with drugs or alcohol, which impaired their driving.
Common Injuries After a Head-on Collision
As mentioned before, this type of car accident can cause a wide range of injuries to the victims, and depending on the circumstances, they could be fatal.
Common injuries include:
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Blunt force trauma
Internal organ damage
Burns
Back/chest injuries
Broken bones
Scarring
If the head-on collision was severe enough, it could cause the victim's death. In those cases, the surviving family members could file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation from the other driver.
How Can Victims Prove Fault in a Head-on Crash?
Determining fault in a head-on collision is often more complex than with other types of accidents. However, it will all depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Generally speaking, the victim will have to prove that the other driver had a duty of care. Then, they have to prove that the other driver breached that duty of care, which caused an accident that ultimately caused injuries.
In these cases, talking to a personal injury lawyer will be the victim's best shot at fighting the other person's insurance company and getting the compensation they deserve. The lawyers at Schuerger Shunnarah have the experience necessary to file a solid personal injury lawsuit that will allow victims to get justice for what happened. They can also give insight on who's at fault in brake failure accidents.
Who's Typically at Fault for a Head-on Collision?
Most of the time, the accident will be the fault of one of the drivers involved. However, this isn't always the case.
Sometimes, dangerous road conditions or confusing signaling can make accidents more likely to happen. There, the people responsible for designing the roads could be held liable for the accident.
On the other hand, if one of the vehicles suddenly stopped working, causing the accident, the vehicle manufacturer could be at fault for the accident. Indiana uses a modified comparative fault system, which means that if the victim's contributory fault is lower than the fault of the person who caused the accident, they could be able to recover damages.
Contacting a car accident lawyer will be the best thing the victim can do to ensure they get the legal help they need, especially when it comes to determining who was truly at fault for the accident.
What Happens If There Are Multiple People at Fault?
There are some rare cases where there could be multiple people at fault for the accident. Sometimes, both drivers could be liable for the accident, for example.
Here's when Indiana's modified comparative fault system comes into place. The victim will be able to sue the other driver for the accident, but if the evidence reports that their fault was greater than the other driver's, then they will not be able to recover compensation for their damages.
What Should Victims Do After a Car Accident?
Following the right steps after going through a car accident will be essential in the future if the victim wants to recover compensation.
Those involved in a head-on collision should do the following:
If possible, move to a safe area within the accident scene. It's essential for victims not to move from the scene, as it could be seen as a hit-and-run.
Call an ambulance to get medical assistance for all the victims involved.
Call the police to get a report of the accident.
Collect as much evidence as possible. This can include photos, videos, reports, and witness statements.
Call a personal injury lawyer to get guidance before filing a claim with the insurance company.
The Importance of Contacting an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis - Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys
With the right legal help, the victim of a head-on collision may be able to recover compensation for all damages caused. Compensation, overall, could help cover:
Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Lost wages
Victims of head-on collisions don't have to go through these hard times alone. The team at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is committed to offering a comprehensive and smart approach to the victim's case, increasing their chances of getting a positive outcome.
Thanks to the team's willingness to 'go to war' for their clients, victims will get peace of mind during their recovery process.