If you or a loved one were recently involved in a head-on collision, you may be dealing with a lot in terms of medical bills, having to miss work, property damage, and more. The good news is that the team of head-on car accident attorneys at CarAccident.Law are here to go over your options and help you determine your next steps.
Head-on car accidents are also called “front-end collisions,” and they occur when two cars traveling toward each other in opposite directions collide. These accidents are often severe and tend to leave those involved with lasting physical and emotional trauma.
Head-On Collision Statistics
Head-on collisions carry a higher risk of death and injury than most other types of car accidents. When evaluating accident severity data, authorities may determine “most harmful events,” which represent the event during an accident that caused the most severe injury.
Of the 46,000+ traffic fatalities that occur each year, head-on collisions make up about 14 percent of the most harmful events, according to the US Department of Transportation. Focusing solely on roadway departure (RwD) accidents, in which one or more cars cross an edge line or center line and cause a crash, head-on collisions make up 27 percent of the most harmful events. In 2020, 10.2 percent of front-end collisions with a moving car resulted in at least one fatality.
How Can a Head-On Car Accident Impact Your Life?
If you or a loved one have been in a head-on collision, your life may not look the same afterwards.
Aside from the increased risk of fatalities, these accidents can result in severe and life-altering injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs
- Loss or impairment of mobility
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Neck injuries
- Internal trauma or bleeding
- Death
Many survivors of head-on car accidents end up with more than one of these injuries.
Individuals with severe head-on car accident injuries may end up with a hospital stay and a long treatment plan to follow, which could include ongoing physical therapy and medication. It is possible that the accident could leave a victim permanently disabled or disfigured. You may also sustain financial hardship from lost wages if you are out of work for an extended period of time to take care of your loved one or are unable to return due to your own accident injuries.
Besides physical injuries, head-on car accidents can also leave you with mental and emotional suffering long after the event itself. 25-33 percent of serious car accidents result in PTSD that lingers for at least 30 days. PTSD from a severe accident may lead to an unwillingness or inability to be in a car, severe anxiety surrounding loved ones traveling by car, nightmares, and more distressing symptoms.
If a fatal head-on collision leaves you without a loved one, the grief can be debilitating, especially when it is compounded with the stress of making funeral and burial arrangements. Our head-on car accident attorneys understand how difficult these situations can be and are dedicated to helping you handle the aftermath of a front-end collision.
Accident Attorneys Helping with Insurance Claims
Every state has different laws for auto insurance and civil lawsuits after an accident. Like many states, Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state, meaning each party can file a claim through their own insurance to recover costs, regardless of who is at fault for an accident. However, the minimum required insurance coverage will only cover up to $8,000 in medical expenses and lost wages after an accident. In the case of head-on collision, this limit may not cover the extent of an injured person’s losses.
Insurance laws are complicated in Massachusetts and other states. If you need help preparing and filing an insurance claim after a head-on collision, get in touch with a lawyer with CarAccident.Law.
Head-On Accident Insurance Claims
Can I File a Lawsuit after a Head-On Car Accident in Massachusetts?
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury or significant personal distress due to head-on collision caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be able to recover costs through a personal injury lawsuit or a third-party insurance claim.
Unlike a claim through your own insurance, filing a lawsuit can provide compensation for pain and suffering and loss of consortium in the event of a wrongful death, as well as estimated future damages in the event of a catastrophic injury. Additionally, it may be possible to pursue a head-on car accident lawsuit at the same time as a no-fault insurance claim, depending on the circumstances.
As for third-party insurance claims, Massachusetts law stipulates that an injured party may file a bodily injury claim through the other driver’s insurance company if their injury is considered serious and they can prove the other driver’s liability. A “serious injury” is defined as an injury totaling more than $2,000 in medical costs or resulting in permanent disability, disfigurement, or significant loss of sight or hearing.
In order to file a third-party claim or a civil lawsuit, you will need to prove the other driver’s negligence and the extent of your losses. Be sure to collect and save:
- Police reports from the head-on accident
- As much visual documentation as possible of the accident itself and your injuries (dash cams, photos, videos, etc.)
- Medical bills and documentation of treatment
- Witness testimony
Learn more about filing a head-on car accident lawsuit
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FILING A CAR ACCIDENT LAWSUIT
Considering filing a head-on car accident lawsuit? Here’s a guide to help you better understand each step of the head-on collision lawsuit process.
Call a Head-on Car Accident Lawyer Today
Filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit after a head-on collision can seem intimidating, our lawyers are here to help. Our skilled head-on car accident attorneys can help you navigate the insurance claims process, or the legal system should it become necessary to file a lawsuit. Schedule a consultation today so we can review your options and help you choose the best course of action.
