Vehicles may collide in a number of different ways, but the most serious, and the most scary, manner in which a crash occurs is a head-on collision. These collisions often prove fatal or lead to life-changing injuries.
Head-on collisions are almost always the result of negligence, carelessness, or recklessness. At Groth & Associates, our head-on collision lawyers in Toledo bring over 150 years of combined experience to the table. We are passionate about our work representing car accident victims, and pledge to work hard for you.
Call our law firm today to learn more about how we will help you after a head-on crash. We offer free consultations and our Toledo car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
How Head-On Collisions Occur
Head-on collisions are the least common type of car accident. This is likely because the way in which they occur involves such shockingly negligent behavior that something like speeding or texting while driving in itself is usually not enough to lead to this type of accident.
Head-on crashes occur when vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash head-on into one another, with the front ends of both vehicles colliding. This means that in order for a head-on crash to occur, one of the drivers of a vehicle involved must be traveling in the wrong direction. A driver may cause a head-on collision by driving into oncoming traffic as a result of:
- Falling asleep at the wheel;
- Mistakenly taking an exit ramp to enter a highway or other roadway;
- Crossing into the lane of oncoming traffic when making a tight turn around a bend; or
- Drunk driving.
Other serious acts of negligence, such as severe distracted driving, may also cause a head-on collision, although the acts above are the most common causes of head-on crashes. Our Toledo personal injury lawyers at Groth & Associates will determine how another driver’s negligence caused your accident injuries and take legal action.
For a free legal consultation with a head on collision lawyer serving Toledo, call (419) 930-3030
Injuries in Head-On Crashes Are Severe
Head-on collisions usually lead to serious injuries. When these accidents do not have fatal consequences, both drivers (and any passengers involved, especially those in the front seat) may suffer from:
- Crush and amputation injuries
- Serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Facial injuries, including broken facial bones
- Bone fracture injuries
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Injuries to the extremities and superficial injuries, including bruises, burns, and lacerations
These injuries may be severe enough to forever change the course of a victim’s life. For example, a spinal cord injury could mean permanent paralysis from the site of the injury downward. Or, a traumatic brain injury could mean that the injured person is never again able to care for themselves, return to work, or even maintain relationships.
Injuries may require family members to quit their own jobs to provide care, or hire around-the-clock in-home care. In some cases, injured parties may require long-term care assistance in a facility.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Types of Compensation Our Toledo Head-On Collision Attorneys Pursue
In addition to the pain and suffering (both physical and emotional) that head-on collision victims and their families will experience after a crash, these types of collisions also lead to:
- Medical bills and long-term medical care
- Property damage costs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Wrongful death damages
- A variety of non-economic damages, such as loss of consortium and diminished quality of life
After a fatal head-on collision, a wrongful death lawyer in Toledo can discuss your family’s options.
While nothing can fully compensate a victim who has suffered serious losses that will be permanent or long-lasting, filing a car accident claim with the liability insurance provider of the at-fault party can provide some relief of the economic damages that victims and their families desperately need after a crash.
Factors That Affect Compensation in a Head-On Collision Claim
The amount of compensation you may recover after a head-on collision depends on the extent of your injuries and how those injuries impact your life. At Groth & Associates, we work closely with medical professionals and other car accident specialists to fully understand the short- and long-term effects of your injuries.
How Our Toledo Head-On Collision Lawyers Demonstrate Fault and Liability
Because Ohio is an at-fault car accident state, an injured party must prove the fault of the other driver in order to recover compensation. While this may be clear in a head-on collision (i.e., clearly the driver who was traveling in the wrong direction was to blame), there are some cases when fault may be more complicated.
Consider the case in which a driver enters an exit ramp for a highway, causing a crash involving their own vehicle and the vehicle of a driver exiting the highway. At first glance, it may appear that the driver who wrongly entered an exit is to blame, but further investigation may reveal that the defective design of the roadway or a lack of proper signage was truly to blame.
In this case, the driver traveling in the wrong direction would never have made such a decision but for design/signage errors. This raises the question of municipal liability, which would involve bringing a claim against a local (or in some cases, state) government agency. Our Toledo head-on collision attorneys thoroughly investigate to identify all potentially liable parties.
How We Investigate Head-On Collisions
At Groth & Associates, we focus on gathering clear evidence to build a strong case for our clients. To investigate a head-on collision, we will:
- Examine the accident scene: Evidence like skid marks, point of impact, and the final position of the vehicles helps us determine how the crash occurred. This is particularly important in head-on collisions where one driver likely crossed into oncoming traffic.
- Review damage to vehicles: The nature and extent of the damage to each vehicle can show the angle and speed of the impact, helping to confirm which driver was in the wrong lane.
- Consult with accident reconstruction specialists: In more complicated cases, we work with experts to reconstruct the crash. For example, in a collision involving a multi-lane highway, reconstruction can clarify how and why one vehicle ended up traveling in the wrong direction.
- Gather evidence of driver negligence: We look for clear indicators of negligence, such as distracted driving, impairment, fatigue, or reckless behavior, which often plays a role in head-on collisions.
Our head-on collision lawyers in Toledo also review crash reports and any available dashcam or surveillance footage that may have captured the moments before the collision. We take road designs and signage into consideration, as well, since these can factor into fault and liability.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Our Lawyers Have The Experience Your Case Deserves
When you have been in a head-on collision in Toledo and suffered serious losses, you deserve a personal injury attorney who has experience and has demonstrated skill and success handling cases like yours in the past.
What’s more, you need a car crash attorney who knows the law and best practices for investigating a claim, dealing with insurance companies, and negotiating a settlement.
When you call us, you can count on rapid responses, the use of modern technology for easier communication, and the resources and staff necessary to give your personal injury claim the attention it deserves.
Steps to Take After a Head-On Collision
After a head-on collision, the actions you take affect your ability to recover from your injuries and secure compensation. Your health should always be the priority after a car crash. Even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe, some conditions, like internal injuries or concussions, may not be immediately noticeable.
Seeking treatment right away also creates a record of your injuries, which our lawyers can use to demonstrate the other driver’s negligence and the extent of your losses. You should also file a report with the Toledo Police Department or the Ohio State Highway Patrol if a police officer did not respond to the accident scene.
Keep any pictures you were able to take of the accident scene, vehicle damage, or your injuries. Avoid speaking to insurance companies before you consult an attorney since they can take your statement out of context and use it to undermine your personal injury claim.
It Helps to Hire a Toledo Head-On Collision Attorney as Soon as Possible
Ohio law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit with a statute of limitations. According to Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. Missing this deadline allows the court to dismiss your case, leaving you unable to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Acting quickly allows our lawyers to secure evidence before it is lost and ensures your case is filed on time.
Contact Us Today For Your Free Consultation
We know that taking action to contact an attorney after a crash can be complicated. You surely do not want to relive your accident by talking about it, and may not know whether or not an attorney is even necessary in the first place.
We approach your case with confidentiality and know how sensitive these matters can be. When you call us, we will sit down and discuss your case and provide you with sound legal information free of charge. If you hire Groth & Associates to work on your case, you won’t owe us a cent if our work isn’t successful.
Call us today for a free consultation and learn more about how our head-on collision attorneys in Toledo will help you.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
