Head-on collisions account for only two percent of accidents, yet ten percent of these accidents end in fatalities. If you are in a head-on collision, you may end up racking up medical expenses for years to come. You may not be able to go back to work or take care of your family because of extensive injuries you suffered in the collision. If the collision wasn’t your fault, you will need a reputable lawyer who will assist you in filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit towards the driver who was at-fault.
A Lawyer can Determine Liability
All drivers have a legal obligation to other drivers on the road. Everyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle must obey the laws of the road and stay continuously vigilant. Not only are you responsible for yourself and others in the vehicle, you are also responsible for paying attention to oncoming traffic, obeying posted speed limits, and taking caution during inclement weather. When a driver does not follow posted traffic laws or does something that recklessly endangers the safety of other drivers, they commit a breach. This is known as duty of care. If an injury to another person occurs because of that breach, that driver is then liable for not only damages to the vehicle, but for all injuries that the injured may receive.
Unfortunately, proving that another driver has breached their duty of care is not always easy. While you may have suffered terrible injuries because of a head-on collision that wasn’t your fault, you will still have to show a burden of proof, which is proof that the other driver was directly responsible for the collision. The courts will want to see a preponderance of evidence towards the negligent driver. This is a legal term meaning that you must show enough evidence to prove that the other driver was at-fault for the head-on collision. A personal injury lawyer will help you prove this by gathering evidence at the accident scene, speaking to the insurance company on your behalf, and representing you during any settlement periods. If your case goes to court, your personal injury lawyer will also be there to represent you against the other driver and their insurance company.
Gathering Evidence
The best way to help your injury lawyer win your case for you is to be proactive from the beginning. If you are involved in a head-on collision, chances are you will need to seek medical attention immediately. Try to get a spouse, family member, friend or co-worker to gather evidence at the scene of the accident for you. They can take multiple pictures of the accident scene and damaged vehicles and speak to any witnesses that saw the accident occur. Getting full names and contact information from those present is important. Make sure that the police are called and an accident report is filed. The police will be able to measure skid marks, take note of weather conditions, and speak to any available witnesses. If you are able, call your insurance company right away to file a claim. Someone can call on your behalf if you are unable to do it yourself because of injuries. You will also need to rule out any possibilities that the collision was partly your fault. If the insurance company can show that you were also to blame for the accident, your settlement may be less than what you are entitled to receive.
Turn over the information that you gather to your personal injury lawyer right away. The more data they have, the easier it will be to prove the collision wasn’t your fault.
Collecting Damages
An injury lawyer will help you collect any damages you are owed because of a head-on collision. When another driver is at-fault, his or her insurance company is liable for any damages that you have suffered. Not only will their insurance company be responsible for fixing your vehicle, they should also cover any medical bills, prescription costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. It is important to have a reliable personal injury lawyer on your side when you are a victim of a head-on collision, as many insurance companies will fight to pay as little as possible. A lawyer will make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries as well as monetary compensation for the time you spend out of work due to your pain.
Need legal help? Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys and Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are available to help whenever, and wherever, you need it.
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