Head-on collisions are known for being destructive, devastating and deadly. These types of crashes can be particularly dangerous due to the high speeds usually involved and the abrupt and forceful nature of the collision.
Consider this data from the Insurance Information Institute: Head-on crashes accounted for more than 10% of all fatal crashes in 2017.
The head-on collision lawyers in Boston at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers know all too well about the damage that can result from head-on collisions.
If you’ve been involved in a head-on collision in Boston or one of the surrounding areas of Massachusetts, you owe it to yourself and your family to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Boston to protect your rights. An aggressive, skilled head-on collision lawyer in Boston will get you the compensation you need, as well as the peace of mind you deserve.
What’s a Head-On Collision?A head-on collision, also known as a frontal crash, occurs when motor vehicles driving in opposite directions crash head on, or front to front.
These types of motor vehicle accidents make up a small percentage of overall auto accidents but are often serious and are more likely to result in fatalities.
Head-on collisions are more likely to occur on rural roadways than in urban settings as rural roads can be narrow with curves and hills and a lack of shoulders.
Causes of Head-On CollisionsHead-on collisions are caused by a variety of factors. Here are some reasons why a driver might be driving on the wrong side of the road:
Injuries that can result from head-on collisions include:
Drivers involved in head-on collisions often suffer from whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the fast and forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. After impact, the head continues to move, or “whip,” back and forth. Common symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headaches and dizziness. Generally, individuals with whiplash get better in a few weeks with pain medication and special exercises. In other cases, whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain and other lengthy or even lifelong complications.
It’s important to note that many car accident injuries will appear to be minor in nature immediately after an accident. However, the true severity of an injury might not be discovered until weeks or even months later. What was at first believed to be a minor injury can have a major impact on a person’s life and result in chronic pain and other long-lasting conditions.
A head-on collision lawyer in Boston will help you properly evaluate the severity and impact of your injury and prevent you from prematurely settling your claim for less than you deserve.
Who’s to Blame?Besides the driver of the vehicle that collided with your vehicle, who else could be liable for your head-on crash?
Suppose your crash involved a motorist traveling the wrong way on an exit ramp or street. Ramp and street design, as well as unclear, or lack of, signage, could have contributed to your head-on collision.
Local and state governments have a legal duty to make sure that:
A head-on collision lawyer in Boston will thoroughly investigate any and all causes of your crash and decide on the best course of action. If your head-on collision was caused by an improperly designed exit ramp or roadway, or incorrect or inadequate signage, a municipality or government entity might share liability for your accident. It’s crucial that all responsible parties are identified so that you’re able to obtain the maximum amount of compensation allowable under the law.
If your head-on collision occurred in a construction zone, the contractor or subcontractor could be held liable for your injuries.
If the other driver was driving a truck or other work vehicle at the time of the head-on collision or was driving as part of his or her job duties, the driver’s employer could share liability for your injuries.
A head-on collision lawyer in Boston will help you identify all responsible parties and obtain the maximum amount of compensation and relief.
Phantom DriversA third-party driver could also be to blame. Consider this scenario: Driver A is minding his own business and following the rules of the road. However, Driver B, who might be drunk or otherwise impaired or distracted, suddenly swerves into Driver A’s lane. To avoid colliding with Driver B’s vehicle, Driver A jerks the wheel and swerves into oncoming traffic, striking your vehicle head on. In a situation like this one, it could be determined that neither party involved in the head-on crash is at fault.
Here’s another twist: In these cases, it’s common for the third-party driver to keep driving and not stop to offer aid or provide identification. If the third-party driver is drunk or driving under the influence of drugs or does not have a valid license or insurance, he or she might be motivated to dodge responsibility for the accident and avoid any type of repercussions. In this case, the injured party would file a claim with his or her auto insurance company for uninsured motorist coverage for a “phantom driver.”
A head-on collision lawyer in Boston can help you navigate a phantom driver claim or any other head-on collision claim and make sure that you preserve your rights under Massachusetts law and receive full compensation for your injuries.
What Should You Do if You’re in a Car Accident?If you’ve been involved in a head-on collision in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts, obtain prompt medical treatment.
Collect contact information for the parties involved and any witnesses at the scene. Document the accident scene to the best of your ability by taking cellphone pictures and making detailed notes.
Next, speak with an experienced head-on collision lawyer in Boston about the steps you should take to make yourself whole. It’s imperative that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. A head-on collision lawyer in Boston will help you understand your rights under the law and review all of your options.
Importantly, a personal injury lawyer in Boston will perform a thorough investigation of the accident and work to gather evidence of the other driver’s negligence. A lawyer will also explore whether anyone else is legally responsible for your injuries.
Your head-on collision lawyer in Boston will work with the other driver’s auto insurer on your behalf to make sure you’re being treated fairly and receive full compensation for your injuries. If the other driver’s insurance policy doesn’t provide enough coverage to reimburse you for your injuries, you might be able to recover under your own insurance policy. Again, a car accident attorney in Boston will help you make that determination and protect your rights.
Consult With an Experienced Head-On Collision Attorney in BostonA head-on collision lawyer in Boston should be aggressive, skilled at negotiations and experienced in dealing with auto insurance companies. Keep in mind that head-on collision claims can be complicated, especially if the injuries are serious or catastrophic, multiple vehicles are involved, or there are special circumstances such as issues involving distracted or otherwise impaired driving, underinsured or uninsured motorists, or phantom drivers.
The Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers has successfully handled head-on collision claims on behalf of individuals in Boston as well as the surrounding areas of Brockton, Cambridge, Lawrence and many other areas in the state of Massachusetts.
If you’ve been the victim of a head-on collision or other motor vehicle accident in Boston or anywhere else in Massachusetts, contact the Boston personal injury lawyers and wrongful-death attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights at (617) 777-7777. Or visit our website at https://www.jeffreysglassman.com/.