Florida Head-On Collision Lawyer

Steps to Follow After a Florida Head-On Collision

After a head-on collision, you should do a self-assessment to ensure your safety. First, determine if you have any serious injuries that require immediate treatment or an ambulance.

Second, determine if you can safely exit your vehicle. Head-on collisions can cause fires and chemical burns if the occupants remain in their vehicles. If it is safe to do so, you should exit the vehicle.

Once you are out of the vehicle, call 911. The other driver may try to talk you out of this, insisting that damages can be covered without involving insurance companies or police. It is unwise to listen. Many individuals can’t or won’t pay for your damages without their insurance company. Working with the insurance company and the police can protect your rights.

The police will create an accident report that details damage, their assessment of who is at fault, and their evidence collection. You should collect your own evidence. There is a chance the police could miss something or misunderstand information that could result in you losing your rightful claim.

When the scene is secure and you have collected your evidence, proceed to the hospital. Whether or not you feel injuries, they could be lurking beneath the surface. It’s important to get a full examination. Waiting to seek medical treatment puts the cause of your injury in question by the plaintiff.

Once you get your results from a doctor, call a Florida head-on collision lawyer. Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath can help you use the evidence you’ve collected to start structuring your claim for damages.

Contact a Florida Head-On Collision Lawyer Today

Work with an experienced Florida head-on collision lawyer to protect your rights and increase your compensation.

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath have proven our commitment to injured Floridians for decades. We offer compassionate counsel that allows you to heal while we fight for what you deserve.

What makes head-on collisions so deadly?

Head-on collisions are especially deadly as they have the most forceful impact of any car accident.

When a car accident occurs with two vehicles moving in the same direction, the force is lessened. If one car is stationary, then the collision only has the force of the moving vehicle that causes the impact.

However, with head-on collisions, both vehicles are moving toward each other, increasing the force. This could make an accident between two vehicles on the highway have a force of over 160 mph, which is likely to cause severe injuries or even death.

Determining Fault In a Head-On Collision

Typically, the driver who is in the wrong lane is found at fault for the head-on collision in Florida. They are disobeying the rules of the road due to swerving or merging into the wrong lane, either intentionally or unintentionally.

In cases where it is difficult to determine fault based on the scene of the accident, or where both parties may share some level of fault, an accident recreation specialist may be brought in to reconstruct the scene. They will use their expertise to identify who is at fault based on their models.

Even if you are found to be partially at fault for the head-on collision, you are still entitled to collect damages. Since Florida is a comparative negligence state, your damages will only be reduced by your level of fault. This means that even if you are 80% liable for an accident, you can collect 20% of your damages from the other party.

The risk of a comparative negligence state is that the plaintiff will attempt to increase your fault to lessen their own, thereby reducing the amount of damages they owe you. Protect your rights with the help of a skilled head-on collision attorney.

Call today to speak with our team at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath.

Damages to Include in a Head-On Collision Lawsuit

Head-on collisions cause the most catastrophic injuries of any car accident. You will be lucky to walk away with your life.

Unfortunately, one of the most important damages to file for in a head-on collision can be wrongful death damages. These are filed by the direct family members of a victim who died as a result of a head-on collision.

The family can collect financial compensation to cover the funeral expenses and medical bills of the deceased. Additionally, they can file for the individual’s pain and suffering, what they contributed to the household in terms of income and unpaid labor, and the individual’s child care assistance.

If you survived a head-on collision, you can recover damages for your injuries. Most commonly, victims seek compensation to cover their medical expenses, including future care. Additionally, they can seek compensation for lost wages due to time off work, compensation if they are unable to continue working in their field due to their injuries, mental anguish, and disfigurement or scarring.

If you have suffered a head-on collision, you could be entitled to millions in recovered damages. Speak with a car accident attorney at Lytal, Reiter, Ivey, Fronrath & Smith today for a free consultation on what your case may be worth.

Statute of Limitations for Florida

In Florida, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years. This means that you must file your claim within two years of the date of the accident, even if your injuries arose later or your treatment goes on more than two years.

Your claim can include costs for future surgeries and treatments, based on your doctor’s recommendation, so you don’t have to wait until you are completely healed before filing your claim.

If the statute of limitations expires, it is unlikely that a court will ever hear your case.

Work with an experienced car accident attorney to secure your right to damages within the statute of limitations. They will help you construct your case and gather evidence within the allotted time so you don’t forfeit your claim.

Common Injuries from Head-On Collisions

The speed of the vehicles involved, the types of vehicles, and the road conditions all factor into how deadly a head-on collision may be. In some cases, the drivers are fortunate to survive the accidents but may suffer lifelong consequences and chronic pain.

Injuries range from broken bones, bruises, cuts, and minor burns to more severe injuries that can change a person’s quality of life.

Victims who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, whiplash, herniated discs, internal injuries, paralysis, and amputation may be unable to continue living their life as they once did.

Common Causes of Head-On Car Collisions

Head-on collisions frequently occur when one vehicle is traveling the wrong way on a divided highway or country road. The National Transportation Safety Board found that these types of head-on collisions are responsible for more than 250 deaths a year.

There are many potential reasons why a driver could be on the wrong side of the road. Almost all of them are a result of human error or negligence.

For example, drivers who are excessively tired, driving under the influence, or have failed to follow traffic signs, are likely to merge accidentally into the wrong lane. Additionally, drivers who are texting, eating, or talking on the phone while driving can lose focus and cause this type of collision.