Of all accident types, head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous. If you or a loved one were involved in a head-on collision, our Springfield head-on collisions lawyer can provide legal assistance.
Our personal injury firm can help you identify the at-fault parties responsible for the collision, estimate your losses, and assemble a thorough claim for damages if your case warrants one. The Fitch Law Firm LLC can guide you through the legal process so that you can focus on your health.
The Impact of Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles strike each other from the front. Even with advanced safety features such as airbags, crash avoidance systems, and crumple zones, head-on collisions can lead to severe bodily injuries and death.
In many types of accidents, such as rear-end or sideswipe collisions, the speed of the vehicle that strikes the other determines how much damage occurs. With head-on collisions, however, the damage is often catastrophic, and the vehicles involved are sometimes totaled because the force is similar to hitting a wall. You may want to work with a Springfield car accident lawyer who can analyze the details of your case.
Head-On Collision Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 people die in traffic accidents in the United States daily, totaling more than 40,000 deaths annually. In 2020, there were over two million emergency hospital visits because of vehicle wrecks.
The 2021 Fatal Crash Summary presented by the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 1,244 fatal crashes. That value did not include pedestrians, motorcyclists, and many other separate categories recorded by the state of Ohio.
Catastrophic Injuries Often Result From Head-On Collisions
Injuries from head-on collisions can take a very long time to recover from and can be very costly as well. Some people never fully recover from their injuries and must endure life-long therapy or the use of assistive devices.
Injuries and damages often seen in head-on collision cases include:
- Traumatic brain injury, or TBI
- Spinal cord injury, or SCI
- Neck and back injuries
- Amputations or the loss of part of a limb
- Lacerations and disfigurement
- Fractured bones
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Crushed limbs
- Chest and torso injuries
- Death
As a victim of a head-on collision accident, you may be able to recover from some of these injuries, but some of them are permanent and can adversely affect your quality of life, your ability to perform basic tasks on your own, and your ability to work in a gainfully-employed capacity.
Based on who was at fault for your accident, you may have grounds to seek compensation. A Springfield head-on collisions lawyer can help you determine the various injuries and compensable losses you may be entitled to receive after your accident.
Causes of Head-On Collisions in Springfield
There are many ways a head-on collision can occur. Investigators identify these accidents by the type and the extent of damage that occurs to the vehicles involved and telltale signs such as skid marks. Head-on collisions can occur when vehicles travel the wrong way in traffic, when drivers become disoriented on long stretches of road, or when they encounter poorly-lit roadways.
Some factors that can cause a head-on collision are:
- Damaged roads
- Narrow roads
- Roads that do not have dividers or a median
- Inclement weather
- Unsafe passing
- Construction zone issues
- Unclear road signs or traffic control devices
- Overcorrecting while driving
- Driver negligence, including driving under the influence, distracted driving, fatigued driving, and speeding
If you have suffered injuries in a head-on collision in Springfield, The Fitch Law Firm LLC can provide a free consultation. We will examine the evidence from your accident to determine the fundamental cause of your injuries and identify who was responsible.
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(614) 545-3930 Medical Care and Other Damages You Can Recover After a Head-On Crash
According to the CDC, vehicle accidents lead to over $430 billion in costs for medical care, lost productivity, reduced quality of life, and lost lives every year across the U.S.
This value is nothing short of alarming, but it still pales compared to the lifelong injuries, loss of livelihood, and devastating loss of a loved one that such accidents can cause to a family.
Depending on the extent of the damages you suffered in an accident, you may be able to seek compensation for:
- Medical care and treatment expenses
- Lost income or reduced earning capacity
- Property and vehicle damage
- Mental trauma and emotional anguish damages
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
The lawyers at the Fitch Law Firm LLC will help you determine which damages you can include in your car accident injury claim.
Wrongful Death After a Head-On Collision
If you lost a loved one in a head-on car accident in Springfield, OH, our wrongful death lawyers can also help you seek compensation for this ultimate loss. We understand that financial compensation is a poor substitute for the loss of someone you love. We aim to help you obtain compensation to reduce the financial difficulties associated with your loved one’s demise so that you have the time to grieve.
Our attorneys can help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party to obtain compensation for:
- Hospital bills
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of income
You do not have to deal with these challenges alone. Our team of Springfield attorneys can help you through this difficult time.
For example, we can help you file your lawsuit according to Ohio’s statute of limitations. Per Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02, you generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Negligence and Head-On Collisions in Springfield, OH
Negligence often causes or contributes to a head-on collision. Evidence from the accident scene can help pinpoint whether negligence may have been the primary cause of your injuries. Our attorneys will review your case to find the cause of the accident and determine what type of negligence applies to your case.
For example, long skid marks may indicate that a driver was speeding during the crash. On the other hand, the absence of skid marks may indicate that a driver who caused a head-on collision was driving while distracted because they might have applied the brakes had they expected to crash.
Types of Negligence We Encounter in Head-On Accident Claims
Many different forms of negligence can cause a head-on collision. A road maintenance crew’s negligence concerning road repairs can contribute to an accident. Poor hiring practices by commercial transportation companies and the hiring of unqualified or inexperienced drivers can increase the likelihood of an accident. Another driver could act negligently by speeding, driving recklessly, driving aggressively, driving while fatigued, or operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Negligent Parties Should Be Held Accountable for Their Actions
At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we expect the responsible parties in a severe car accident to take responsibility for their actions, particularly when their negligent behavior caused severe injury or death.
Unfortunately, responsible parties and their insurance companies will sometimes try to reduce their liability by shifting blame or downplaying the severity of your injuries. We will actively work to ensure that they are held accountable by pursuing negotiations and legal correspondence. If necessary, we will not hesitate to pursue the at-fault party in court.
Evidence Is Critical for Proving Negligence
To establish your claim for negligence in Springfield, we must prove that the at-fault party had a duty to ensure the safety of others on the road, that they failed in that duty, and that their failure directly caused your injuries.
Our Springfield head-on collisions lawyers will:
- Identify which parties are responsible for your accident
- Gather evidence to prove their fault
- Evaluate your damages
- File a claim with the responsible party and their insurance company
- Compile evidence to establish a link between the actions of the at-fault party and your losses, damages, and injuries
- Pursue a car accident injury lawsuit against the responsible party
Ohio law recognizes comparative negligence for injury claims, so it is important to have an attorney on your side who can defend your right to fair compensation and prevent you from taking the blame for an accident that was not your fault.
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What To Do After a Springfield Head-On Collision
After your accident, you may be facing severe injuries. If you are injured, you don’t need to push yourself to gather evidence at the accident scene. A head-on collision attorney from our firm will do this for you. Once you have assessed yourself for serious injuries, you should:
- Visit a doctor: Even if you think your injuries are minor, it might be best to visit a doctor after a car crash. Head injuries like concussions may not be noticeable to you at first. A doctor can provide you with a treatment plan.
- File a police report: Make sure you call the police to the crash scene. A police report can be used as evidence in your case.
- Avoid speaking to insurers: The at-fault driver’s insurer may try to contact you after a head-on accident. You are allowed to politely decline to provide any details. Sometimes insurers may record the call and use your words against you.
- Avoid posting on social media: It is probably not a good idea to post about the car wreck on social media. Anything you share online may be used against you by the other party.
ur Springfield Head-On Collisions Attorneys Provide Client-Focused Legal Care
We understand how important it is for you to get the medical treatment you need so that you can get back to normal. When you choose The Fitch Law Firm LLC to represent you, you will receive the personalized attention you deserve. We never treat two cases the same way because each case, even a head-on collision accident, is unique.
Our legal team can tailor a strategy to suit your specific circumstances and fight for fair compensation. We will also make sure that we keep you updated about the progress of your case and answer any questions that you may have.
Seeking Legal Assistance After Your Springfield Head-On Accident
While you may be tempted to seek a settlement without an attorney, you can benefit from the knowledge and resources of a law firm familiar with Springfield head-on collision cases. The attorneys at The Fitch Law Firm LLC have successfully represented injury clients in Springfield and across Ohio for more than 30 years. We are dedicated to ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
Contact The Fitch Law Firm LLC for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can assist you with your head-on collision case.