Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous types of car accidents and can leave both drivers with life-altering injuries. A head-on collision happens when one vehicle crashes “head-on” into the front end of another car. Speed, weather and road conditions, and the state of the drivers involved can play a major role in these types of crashes, which can lead to fatalities.
If you are involved in a car accident and have been left with injuries due to the carelessness of another driver, reach out to a motor vehicle accident lawyer with experience in head-on car accidents in Missouri City to learn more about your legal options. The law firm of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris works hard to earn your trust and we have a high damages recovery rate. We will take the burden of negotiating with insurance companies off of your shoulders and will file a lawsuit when necessary.
How is Liability Determined in a Head-On Car Crash?
Liability is determined in a Missouri City head-on car wreck through evidence including police reports, medical bills, witness statements, traffic cameras, and photographs. If a driver is found to have ignored traffic lights or signs, was speeding, or otherwise exhibited negligent or reckless behavior, insurance companies or courts will take those failures to drive safely into account when assigning fault.
Following certain steps can help you prove that you were not at fault after an accident, including:
- Calling 911 to ensure that the police and emergency services can get on the scene and write an accident report
- Taking photos of the wreck immediately afterward and documenting everything that occurred
- Exchanging insurance and contact information with the other driver while avoiding saying anything that could be construed as an admission of fault
- Speaking to witnesses
- Talking to an attorney who has experience with the laws regarding head-on car accidents
Texas law uses the modified comparative fault rule, which means that a driver can recover damages only if they are determined to be at fault by 50% or less (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001). Any assignment of fault over 50% to a driver involved in an accident means that they forfeit any damage recovery from the other party. If a driver is eligible to receive compensation, their award will be reduced proportionate to their percentage of fault.
What Damages Can be Recovered After a Head-On Car Accident?
After a car wreck, you are likely dealing with injuries that require medical care, bills piling up, the inability to return to work, and emotional distress. Damages are meant to compensate the victims of head-on vehicle accidents in Missouri City, helping you to cope financially and mentally, and can be both economic and non-economic. Economic damages include tangible, quantifiable losses such as medical bills and doctor visits, ongoing medical care and continued treatment, lost wages and future lost earning capacity, and other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident.
Non-economic damages are harder to calculate, but a qualified attorney will be able to successfully demonstrate them to an insurance company, judge, or jury. These damages can include mental and emotional distress, anxiety, depression, disfigurement, loss of consortium/affection with a spouse or partner, and loss of quality of life. Oftentimes, lawyers will use expert witnesses to corroborate the seriousness of non-economic damages.
In especially egregious head-on car collisions, a court may award punitive damages to punish the driver who caused the car wreck or who was more at fault. Punitive damages are much harder to prove and require an attorney to demonstrate that the defendant’s actions met the threshold of gross negligence.
Consult with a Lawyer in Missouri City Head-On Car Collisions
Life after head-on car accidents in Missouri City can be uncertain and full of pain and suffering. If you are feeling intimidated by the prospect of fighting for compensation for your losses, calling a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can ease your fears.
We will fight tirelessly for you to be made whole again and will guide you through the legal process of filing a lawsuit after a car wreck. You deserve to move forward with your life. Reach out and schedule your free, no-pressure consultation with our lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris today.
