Nothing strikes fear in a driver’s heart more than the words, “head-on collision.” When two vehicles crash head-on, or front end to front end, the crash force doubles. A head-on collision between two cars traveling at 50 miles per hour has a crash force equal to a 100-miles-per-hour crash into an obstacle. About 29.6% of two-vehicle accidents are head-on collisions, resulting in an average of 5,800 deaths annually.
The tremendous crash force of a head-on collision causes serious or deadly injuries. Common injuries in head-on collisions in Seattle include the following:
Some injuries from head-on collisions have deadly results. A wrongful death claim after a fatal head-on collision car accident brings compensation and a sense of justice to close surviving family members.
In order for a head-on collision to occur, one vehicle must depart from its lane or enter a one-way street in the wrong direction. Common causes of head-on collisions in Seattle include the following:
Head-on collisions sometimes result from poor road designs, inadequate signage, or road hazards. In these cases, a city or county entity may bear liability for damages to the victims of the accident.
It takes a thorough investigation to determine the liable party after a head-on collision. The insurance adjusters assigned by each driver’s insurance company investigate the accident with the goal of minimizing the amount they have to pay out on a claim. A Seattle car accident lawyer defends against these insurance company tactics by performing an in-depth investigation to document clear and concise evidence of liability. Then they send a demand package to the insurance company documenting the following legal elements of liability on the part of the at-fault driver or government agency:
An experienced head-on collision car accident attorney uses the evidence of liability to assert the injury victim’s right to full compensation throughout negotiations with the insurance company. Most claims end with an ample settlement, but if the insurance company fails to offer an acceptable settlement or wrongfully denies the claim, the case may move forward as a lawsuit for litigation in court. Court cases take longer to resolve, but juries tend to award larger compensation checks to car accident victims.
Damages are often severe or even catastrophic in a head-on collision. Settlements and jury awards provide compensation for common economic damages including property damage, past and future medical expenses, lost income, and diminished future earning capacity. Damages also include non-economic damages like compensation for pain and suffering, trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, or disfigurement. If the head-on collision caused a fatality, a wrongful death claim brings close family members additional compensation for funeral costs, and the income the decedent would have earned for their remaining working years.
The aftermath of a head-on collision is painful, traumatic, and emotionally draining. Survivors of this type of trauma should not have to deal with the legal aspects of the accident while trying to recover. A head-on collision car accident lawyer in Seattle is ready to take on the legal challenge and achieve the best possible outcome so injury victims can focus on healing and moving forward. Contact the Fang Law Firm today to learn more about your legal options for justice.