Washington DC Head-On Collision Accidents
Head-on collisions are some of the most common causes of car accident fatalities. When a head-on collision occurs, serious injuries or even death often occur. If you have been involved in a head-on collision, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. You should also contact an experienced personal injury attorney to help you protect your rights.
Contact a Washington, DC accident attorney with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today for a free consultation if you were involved in a head-on collision.
Why Are Head-On Collision Car Accidents Dangerous?
A head-on collision is more dangerous because it usually involves two vehicles traveling at high speeds in opposite directions. The impact of this accident can cause life-threatening injuries, fatalities, or severe property damage.
Head-on collisions are also dangerous because they often result in fires or explosions. This is because the force of the impact can cause the gas tanks in both vehicles to rupture.
Causes of Head-On Collision Accidents
Several factors can contribute to a head-on collision. They often occur when one driver is speeding, loses control of their vehicle, and veers into oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions can also occur when one driver tries to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road.
Some other common causes include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Poor road conditions
- Weather conditions such as fog or rain
- Driving the wrong way down a road
Common Injuries Caused by Head-On Collisions
Some examples of common types of injuries that are often caused by head-on collisions include:
- Broken bones and fractures to the arms, legs, hands, fingers or feet.
- Head injuries such as concussions which may seem mild, can lead to permanent brain damage or impairment if left untreated).
- Neck pain from whiplash due to a sudden jerking motion during an accident.
- Soft tissue injuries like sprains or strains occur when tendons get stretched too far and tear away from their normal position on bones; this causes pain and swelling, making it challenging to move around until they heal properly over time (if at all).
How to Prevent Head-On Collisions
There are several things you can do to help prevent head-on collisions.
- Pay attention to your surroundings while driving and avoid distractions.
- Obey the speed limit and drive at a safe speed for conditions.
- Don’t try to pass other vehicles on two-lane roads. If you must pass, make sure you have enough space and time to do so safely.
What to Do if You Are Involved in a Head-On Collision
If you are involved in a head-on crash, there are several things that you should do:
- Call 911 immediately and file a police report.
- Exchange information with any other drivers involved in the crash; this includes name, address, phone number, insurance policy number, etc. If possible, also collect their license plate numbers and photos of the damage caused by the collision (if it is safe enough for you to do so).
- Seek medical attention even if you do not think that you are injured; sometimes, injuries take time to manifest themselves or may be internal in nature. Therefore, it is important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident occurs. People often believe they are fine but later develop lasting symptoms from their injury, which could have been prevented had they sought medical treatment sooner.
- Contact your insurance company to report the accident and begin a claim process; this will ensure that any damage caused by the collision is covered by them rather than paying out-of-pocket costs for repairs or replacements yourself (if applicable).
Statute of Limitations in a Head-on Car Accident Case
The statute of limitations is a legal term that refers to the time period in which you have to file an accident claim. These laws exist so people don’t wait too long before filing their claims which can make it difficult to locate witnesses, and result in you, or important witnesses potentially forgetting important details about what happened during the accident, such as who was involved or how they were injured; this could negatively impact their case down the road.
In Washington D.C.,the statute of limitations for filing an accident claim is generally three years from when it occurred. However, there are exceptions, (like in a wrongful death case, where the statute of limitations is only two years) and other potential time deadlines that you must meet. Accordingly, you should contact a qualified Washington, DC car accident lawyer, as soon as possible to learn your rights, and make sure you are not missing any important deadlines.
Who is Responsible for a Head-On Collision?
Determining who is responsible for a head-on collision can be tricky. This is because so many factors need to be considered, such as the speed of both vehicles, their location on the road, if either driver was distracted or under the influence at the time of the accident, etc.
Generally speaking, the driver who caused the collision is typically held liable for the damages and injuries that occurred. This means they would be responsible for paying for any medical expenses, property damage, or other costs associated with the accident.
Establishing Fault in a Head-On Collision
To establish fault in a head-on collision, you must prove that the other driver was negligent. This can be done by showing that they were driving recklessly or distracted at the time of the accident. If you are successful in proving their negligence, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries and losses suffered as a result of the accident.
Comparative Fault
In a comparative fault system, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault for the accident. For example, this means that if one driver is considered 80% at fault and another 20%, then each party will pay their proportional share of damages based on those percentages (e.g., $100,000 total in losses equals an award worth $80,000 from Driver A to B since they caused more harm than anyone else). Washington, DC does not use comparative fault for head-on collisions if the case involves two cars. However, Washington, DC does have a form of comparative negligence for bicycles and other vulnerable users.
Contributory Negligence
In a contributory negligence jurisdiction, like Washington, DC, if you are 1% negligent, and your negligence was a cause of the collision, you will not be able to recover for your injuries or damages. In other words, if both parties contributed in some way to causing an accident, even if one party had only shares a small percentage of fault, neither party will be able to recover for their damages.
Crucial Evidence to Prove Liability in Personal Injury Lawsuit
Some of the most crucial evidence to prove liability in a head-on collision includes eyewitness statements, police reports, photos and videos of the accident scene, and damage assessments from both vehicles.
Gathering this evidence as soon as possible after the collision occurs is critical to having a successful case.
Damages in a Head-On Collision Case
If you’re injured in a head-on collision, there are several things that you can recover damages for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages or earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working; this includes any time you have to take off from work in order to recover from your injuries
- Pain and suffering; this is non-economic damage that can be difficult to quantify but is meant to compensate you for the physical injuries and emotional anguish caused by your injuries
- Any other related costs or expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
Wrongful Death Claims for Fatal Crashes
If a loved one has died due to a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. You can recover damages for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and other losses associated with your loved one’s death. The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim in Washington, DC is only two years, so you should call a Washington, DC car accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your claim.
What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You
The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the most respected attorney-ranking service organization in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
How Much is a Head-On Collision Worth?
If you’re looking for information on what your head-on collision case might be worth, the best way is to speak with an attorney with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our accident lawyers have obtained settlements for various car accident cases.
Here are a few of our case results:
- $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
- $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
- $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
- $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
- $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
- $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.