Lake Charles Head-On Collision Attorneys

Head-on collisions routinely cause devastating injuries and fatalities. They are one of the most traumatic types of car accidents that you can be involved in. One moment, you are driving down the road just like you do every day, and the next moment is a blur as a car heads straight for you. Most head-on or wrong-way accidents feel like they come out of nowhere, a sudden and unexpected event that has now changed the trajectory of your life.

Surviving a head-on collision can result in extensive medical bills, emotional distress, and significant lifestyle changes. While the recovery process can be physically and emotionally painful, it can also be financially draining as well, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve been hurt in a head-on collision with a negligent driver, you may be able to recover financial compensation that will cover your medical expenses and lost wages.

The Lake Charles car accident attorneys of Veron Bice, LLC aim to provide meaningful results to victims injured in head-on collisions with negligent drivers. That means we strive to protect your legal rights and build a solid case demonstrating why you deserve maximum compensation for your injuries.

Before you settle for what the insurance company wants to give you, talk to an experienced head-on collision accident attorney with Veron Bice, LLC. Let us assess the value of your claim and help you pursue the legal option that offers you the best chance at a positive outcome. Call us today at 337-310-1600, and let’s talk about the ways we may be able to help you. We even offer a free case review to get you started.

What Causes a Head-On Collision?

A head-on collision happens when two opposing vehicles collide with each other at the front portion of both vehicles. The energy from this type of impact can crumple the hood of each car, practically squishing the driver and front passengers between the seat of the vehicle and the metal from the front of the vehicle. Head-on collisions are serious and can often be fatal. While all accidents are unique, there are some similarities between head-on collisions: they are almost always caused by human error or negligence.

Distracted driving is one of the riskiest driving behaviors that can lead to head-on collisions. A driver who is not paying attention to their surroundings or is using a phone while operating a vehicle can easily miss vital traffic signs and signals, leading them down the wrong road or path. This can result in head-on collisions. The same is true for intoxicated drivers. An astonishing number of intoxicated drivers fail to notice or pay attention to road signs and traffic patterns. These wrong-way drivers are at risk for causing major accidents. No one expects to be driving down I-20 and find themselves face to face with a wrong-way driver. Yet, news outlets report on these types of incidents and others happening all across the state.

Types of Head-On Collision Cases We Handle

At Veron Bice, LLC, we know that not all car accidents are created equal. There are a wide variety of circumstances that can result in a serious head-on collision. However, our lawyers have the knowledge and experience to tackle almost any scenario. Some examples of the head-on collision cases that we handle include those involving:

• Distracted driving
• Driving while intoxicated
• Driving while fatigued
• Failure to follow posted road signs and signals
• Improperly posted signs
• Mechanical failures or defects

No matter what caused your head-on collision, the experienced attorneys with Veron Bice, LLC are ready to hear you out and work with you to pursue the compensation you deserve. We have worked on a variety of different head-on collision cases, all with different sets of facts. We understand what it takes to build a solid case that puts you in a favorable position for recovering the compensation you need after a crash.

Injuries Associated with Head-On Collisions

All too often, head-on collisions are fatal encounters. Metal is strong. In comparison, the human body is not. When two cars collide head-on, the crunching of metal-on-metal ends up crushing and compacting anything soft that is in its path, which typically includes the driver and any front-side passenger in the vehicle.

While head-on collisions can occur at slower speeds, the impact of any type of head-on collision can be significant and usually results in traumatic and catastrophic injuries. At higher speeds, hitting another vehicle head-on is similar to hitting a brick wall. Going back to high school math and physics, if two cars are traveling at the same speed, say, 50 mph, and they meet head-on, the energy from the resulting wreck is equivalent to hitting a stationary object at 100 mph.

If that illustration isn’t shocking enough to demonstrate the power and destruction that can be caused by a head-on impact, consider this statistic from an IIHS Safety report. The report estimates that almost 57 percent of accident fatalities in 2019 were attributed to front impact crashes. Frontal impact crashes don’t just maim. They kill.

For survivors of head-on collisions, the prognosis can be daunting. Some of the most common types of injuries that a crash victim may suffer include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussion
• Paralysis
• Neck injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Organ damage
• Lacerations
• Contusions
• Wrongful death

Who Is Liable for a Head-On Collision?

A complete investigation into the cause of the accident is the best way to determine liability for a head-on collision. In some cases, like in a wrong-way crash, liability may seem straightforward. However, it is never a good idea to assume the other driver will be found 100 percent at fault for causing an accident. A victim needs to do everything in their power to protect their rights and get to the bottom of who caused the collision. Why is determining liability so important? Because liability also determines the level of compensation that you may be entitled to following an accident.

Louisiana has adopted what is known as a “pure comparative fault” model for dealing with compensation in car accidents and personal injury claims. Pure comparative fault means that the amount of money that you may be able to recover after an accident can be reduced by the amount of fault you share for causing an accident. In a Louisiana court of law, if you are 10 percent responsible for causing a head-on collision, your total compensation can be reduced by 10 percent.

In Louisiana, even at-fault drivers can recover compensation after an accident. A driver that causes a head-on collision could be found 95 percent responsible for causing an accident. They can still recover money. Their total compensation would be reduced by 95 percent, the amount of liability they bear, so they could only recover five percent. They would also still be responsible for paying for the victim’s portion of damages.

Pure comparative fault is the model the court system uses to determine liability and compensation. While this rule binds the courts, it also guides insurance claims adjusters. When determining the value of a claim, an insurance adjuster will often take into consideration what a judge or jury would decide if the case ever went to court. This rule colors their estimation of the value of the claim.

What Compensation May Be Available?

While liability influences the amount of compensation that a victim may be able to recover, there are also other factors at play when it comes to calculating the value of a head-on collision claim. For instance, the severity of the damage caused by the accident can have a significant impact on the total amount of compensation the victim could recover.

To begin calculating how much compensation may be due, economic damages are typically calculated. These damages cover measurable losses that a victim incurs because of an accident, such as property damage or medical bills. These losses are rather straightforward to calculate and can be measured by examining receipts, medical bills, medical documentation, and pay stubs.

Next, non-economic damages may be calculated. These are more difficult to assign value because they include quality-of-life changes and the emotional distress that a severe accident can cause a victim. Economic and non-economic damages combined make up the value of a victim’s claim. In total, a claim may cover the following:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Pain and suffering

Again, due to pure comparative fault rules, the total value of the compensation package may not ultimately be what a victim walks away with. Working with an attorney is vital to determining the value of your claim and then pursuing the legal path that has the most favorable chance of obtaining that money for you.

Contact an Experienced Lake Charles Head-On Collision Accident Attorney

Don’t let your accident expenses overwhelm you before you decide to act. Take the next step and call the experienced Lake Charles legal team at Veron Bice, LLC for help. We can thoroughly review your situation, assess the value of your claim, and help build a case that gives you the best opportunity for a favorable outcome.

Call us today at 337-310-1600, and let’s set up a free case review to discuss your situation. The consequences of a head-on collision can be enormous. Let us help you cope with the aftermath and find ways to get you the compensation you deserve.