A head-on collision is when the front-ends of two vehicles directly collide. These accidents can be devastating, often resulting in catastrophic harm to all occupants of the vehicles.
If you or a loved one were recently injured in a front-end crash caused by another party, you should contact an experienced car wreck attorney. An Altoona head-on collision lawyer could review your case and determine if you have grounds for a civil claim.
Head-on collisions typically occur when one vehicle has not stayed in its lane and has crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. This is often due to driver impairment, when a driver is under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medications that impact his or her ability to drive safely. A driver might be trying to pass in an area where it was not permitted or where it was not safe to do so and end up in the oncoming lane.
It could also result from taking a curve too fast or poor weather conditions like snow and ice. Regardless of how it is caused, if someone drifts into oncoming traffic, causing a collision, an attorney in Altoona should be contacted immediately.
Unlike a sideswipe or rear-end accidents, a head-on collision produces extremely high force between the vehicles. That force at the point of impact makes head-on collisions very dangerous.
It is not uncommon for there to be fatalities or traumatic head injuries like concussions or internal bleeding, because the head often makes contact with the steering wheel or other parts of the vehicle upon impact. There can also be broken bones, neck and back injuries. These traumas can impact the nerves and cause numbness and tingling in the extremities with severe cases resulting in permanent paralysis.
To have grounds for a civil action, a person must be able to prove the other driver was negligent and caused the collision. In Pennsylvania, a plaintiff can make a recovery, as long as he or she is not more at-fault than the other driver, meaning if he or she is 50 percent at-fault, the plaintiff can still make a recovery. However, the damages are going to be reduced by his or her portion of fault.
If it is found that either driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident, that could drastically impact liability. Furthermore, if one of the drivers was using his or her phone or texting, that fact could also be used to show liability. Driver fatigue, resulting in the motorist nodding off at the wheel or having delayed reaction time could also impact liability.
Speed is also a factor, particularly in a head-on collision that occurs near a curve. If someone has not maintained a safe speed, he or she may have slid into the oncoming lane. A well-practiced lawyer in Altoona could investigate the cause of the head-on collision and build a case proving defendant liability.
There are two types of compensatory damages which are designed to compensate a plaintiff for his or her losses. Compensatory damages include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate a claimant for lost wages, medical bills, future lost earning capacity, and other types of quantifiable losses. Non-economic damages account for the intangible effects of an accident, such as pain and suffering, loss of life’s pleasures, scarring, disfigurement, embarrassment, and inconvenience.
Punitive damages have a different purpose. Rather than compensating the injured person, they are designed to punish the wrongdoer in order to teach a lesson. Punitive damages can be awarded in situations where there was egregious or reckless conduct such as drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, texting while driving, and speeding in a construction zone.
Front-end accidents often result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries. By contacting an Altoona head-on collision lawyer, you could focus on your physical recovery while an attorney focuses on your legal recovery. An accomplished legal team could ensure you are fairly compensated for all your losses. Call the office of Marcus & Mack to schedule your free case consultation today.
