You may ask yourself why anybody would drive the wrong way down a one-way street. You also probably cannot imagine driving down the highway in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, our Laurel accident attorneys handle more than our fair share of head-on collision cases.
Here, we will discuss the main causes of these crashes and explain why they happen. If you or your loved one were injured in any type of motor vehicle accident, contact our office directly. We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to sit down with a Maryland car accident lawyer and find out how best to proceed.
It is Impossible to Prepare Yourself for a Head-On Collision
What makes head-on collisions so dangerous is that it’s impossible to prepare for them. When you get behind the wheel, you have no reason to think that someone may be coming toward you in the opposite direction. Usually what we find is that people who are involved in these accidents were either drunk, having a medical emergency, or just acting recklessly. In any of these situations, your Maryland car accident lawyer will demand that you be fairly compensated. Of course, they will still have to prove fault like they would in any other case.
The Other Driver May Be Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
One of the leading causes for head-on collisions is drunk driving. If the person who hit you was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, they will be held responsible. Typically, when the police arrive at the scene of a head- on collision, the first thing they check is to see if either driver is impaired. If they find that the other driver was indeed under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will arrest them and charge them with DUI. If convicted, this will serve as proof that the other driver was at fault. Your Laurel accident attorney will submit this evidence at trial and demand punitive damages.
Some Head-On Collisions Are Caused by Medical Emergencies
If the person who hit you was not under the influence, there is a chance that they may have been suffering from a medical emergency. This is especially true if the defendant is an older driver. When somebody has an epileptic seizure or heart attack, they lose control of their vehicle. Often times, the person driving the car has no idea that they have a medical issue. However, just because the other driver did suffer a medical emergency doesn’t mean that they’re not liable for your damages. Your Marilyn car accident lawyer will still file a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy. If that goes unpaid, you can always sue the other driver and their insurance company will have to represent them.
Was the Other Driver Trying to Escape the Cops?
When you watch the news and see a story about a police chase, the last thing you envision is getting caught up in something like that. Unfortunately, when people are trying to evade the police, they do not pay attention to road signs. Our Laurel accident attorneys have handled cases where the fleeing criminal smashes right into our client’s car head-on.
The problem is that when people are trying to run from the police, they drive very fast. This means that the impact to your vehicle will be tremendous. If you suffer serious injuries as a result of the crash, your Maryland car accident lawyer will demand damages. Of course, you will not be able to sue the police because they have immunity in cases like this. Given the fact that the other driver is a criminal, the odds of collecting damages from them may be slim to none. However, our Laurel accident attorneys will do their best to get you the damages you deserve.
There Are Rare Cases Where the Other Driver Was Simply Lost and Confused
Every now and then, there are cases in which the other driver simply was lost and did not know where they were going. This can be hard to fathom. Anybody who’s been driving for more than a year or two should know how to look at a road sign and understand which way it goes. However, some people who are unfamiliar with the area may turn down a one-way street and not be aware of it. Hopefully, in cases like this, the other driver was not going too fast. This means that your injuries should be minor. Still, even in a minor accident, you may be entitled to damages. What your Maryland car accident lawyer will do is look at your medical records as well as any out-of-pocket expenses you experienced. They will then help you file a claim against the other driver’s insurance carrier. Ideally, they will pay your claim and you will have your check within a matter of weeks. If this doesn’t happen, you always have the option of filing legal action against the driver and their insurance company.
Let Your Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Sort Things Out for You
If you were injured in a head- on collision, you are likely in a lot of pain. The last thing you’re going to want to do is fight with the insurance company about getting your claim paid. We suggest you contact one of our Laurel accident attorneys as soon as possible after the crash. One of our associates will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If we are unable to get your claim paid, we will have no problem filing a lawsuit on your behalf. In a head-on collision, there should not be any doubt about who was at fault. It should just be a matter of your Maryland car accident lawyer proving your damages.
We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to sit down with a licensed attorney and go over your case. If we feel that you have a strong case, we will be willing to represent you in court. If, however, we do not believe that your claim has merit, we will let you know up front. Since the consultation is free, and since we do not request any payment upfront, you have nothing to lose.
