A head-on collision – one where the front ends of two vehicles collide – can have devastating consequences. Even though most modern vehicles have crumple zones designed to protect occupants in the event of a motor vehicle crash, the forces in head-on collisions often result in severe, catastrophic, or potentially fatal injuries.
If you or a family member suffered injuries in a head-on collision in Glendale, Arizona, know that you are not alone. Help is available to you. The car accident lawyers of the law firm of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. have more than 50 years of combined legal experience, giving us the knowledge and skills needed to handle even the most complex car accident cases.
We will be ready to discuss your case during an initial consultation when you call us or reach out to us online.
What Are Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Glendale?
Some of the most common causes of head-on motor vehicle collisions include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription medication
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Driver error
- Speeding
- Tire blowouts or other vehicle system failures
- Inclement weather
If you have been injured in a car crash or if you need to pursue a wrongful death action after the loss of a loved one, our experienced car accident lawyers stand ready to investigate the motor vehicle accident and determine what led to the head-on crash.
What Are Common Injuries Experienced in Head-On Accidents?
If another motorist hits your vehicle head-on, you and any passengers with you could suffer any number of injuries. Some of the most frequent injuries vehicle occupants suffer in head-on collisions include:
- Head trauma, including concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back, spine, and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Joint damage
- Fractured ribs
- Internal organ injuries and bleeding
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burn injuries and disfiguring scars
- Amputation
The severity of injuries in head-on crashes often means that victims will require emergency medical treatment. If emergency medical personnel do not immediately transport you to the emergency room at the hospital, make sure you promptly seek medical attention from a medical professional to get a thorough evaluation. Some symptoms of severe injuries might appear in the hours, days, or weeks after an accident. It is wise to seek care regardless of how you feel right after the crash.
How Do Insurance Companies Assign Fault for Head-on Collisions?
In the aftermath of a head-on collision, determining who was responsible for the crash is vital. Injured crash victims and the surviving family members of people who died in head-on collisions deserve answers and fair compensation if someone else was at fault.
Typically, car accident victims will be eligible to seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance, provided they have a policy in place and adequate coverage. In general, victims could seek compensation from at-fault parties, including:
- The driver of the other vehicle – If the driver was distracted, intoxicated, speeding, or otherwise negligent, they could be liable for the crash.
- The vehicle owner – If the driver was in a company vehicle like a commercial truck, the trucking company or other party that owns the car could be liable.
- The driver’s employer – If the at-fault driver was traveling for work-related purposes, the driver’s employer could be vicariously liable for the crash.
- Government agencies – If poor road conditions, such as potholes, defective road design, or inadequate signage caused a head-on crash, the county, state, or federal government might be at fault.
Determining liability after a head-on collision can be challenging. Fortunately, our experienced car accident attorneys will know how to investigate a crash, consult with accident reconstruction experts, and build a strong compensation claim on your behalf.
Please note, the state of Arizona places a time limit for personal injury lawsuits, such as a car accident case. That time limit is known as the Statute of Limitations. You have two years from the date of the accident to submit your lawsuit. If, after the statute of limitations has passed, you have not submitted your claim, you will have forfeited the opportunity to do so.
How To Recover Damages for Glendale Head-on Collisions?
If you sustained injuries in a head-on collision, the chances are good that you are dealing with expensive medical bills, lost wages from time off of work, costly vehicle repairs, and more. It might be tempting to accept a quick settlement first offer from the other party’s insurance company, but that might not be the best decision.
After a severe injury accident, you could be entitled to significant compensation for the losses you have incurred and the impact the crash will have on your life moving forward. In general, you might be eligible to seek compensation for:
- Medical care treatment – With the high cost of hospitalization and treatment, expenses incurred due to a head-on collision can quickly become overwhelming. The treatment of the injuries, hospital stays, rehabilitation and recovery, physical therapy, prescription medicines, and medical devices can be costly.
- Loss of wages/income – If the injuries are severe, recovering might take weeks, months, or longer. If you cannot return to work while you recover, you could seek compensation for lost wages. If you have a disabling condition that prevents you from returning to your job or working at all, you could claim compensation for the loss of future earnings as well.
- Pain and suffering, and mental anguish – In the aftermath of a violent head-on collision, victims will likely suffer emotional and mental harm as well. You might find it challenging to focus on work or caring for your loved ones. It can affect the way you see your world and may take months or years of therapy to deal with the trauma caused by the collision.
- Vehicle repairs or replacement – The likelihood of a head-on collision severely damaging to totaling your vehicle is high. This means you might need to buy a new vehicle or deal with the extended rental of another vehicle while yours is repaired. You should not have to pay out of pocket for repairs or totaled vehicle replacement. The at-fault party should compensate you for these costs.
Contact Our Glendale, Arizona, Head-On Collision Attorneys
The law firm of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. provides knowledgeable and compassionate representation to those who have been injured or have lost loved ones in head-on collisions. We are proud to serve the residents of Glendale and the surrounding areas.
We know that you have been through a traumatic event, and we are here to help. When you are ready to talk to an experienced Glendale car accident lawyer, call us or reach out to us online for an initial confidential case evaluation.