Have you or a loved one been involved in a head-on collision in Wisconsin? Dealing with the aftermath of such a severe accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about making ends meet while you heal. Here’s the good news — you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses if someone else caused the crash.
A Wisconsin head-on collision lawyer from LawtonCates can determine whether you have a valid car accident claim in a free consultation. Call or contact us now to get started.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Head-On Collision in Wisconsin
Getting fair compensation after a head-on collision can be tough. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly and for far less than what claimants deserve. At LawtonCates, we understand these challenges and approach each case determined to get the financial recovery you need. With over 65 years of experience handling personal injury cases like yours, we know how to take on the insurance companies and fight for maximum compensation.
When you choose LawtonCates, you work with attorneys who give your case personalized attention. We don’t accept lowball settlements and prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Our experienced team works closely with top experts, like doctors, accident reconstruction specialists, and vocational counselors, to build a strong case that fully represents your injuries and losses. There’s no legal fee unless we secure compensation for you, so you have nothing to lose and much to gain by reaching out to our team.
Our firm has a history of obtaining millions of dollars in compensation for injured people, including $942,000 for one victim of a head-on collision. We know what it takes to win cases like yours. Tell your story to one of our experienced head-on collision attorneys today.
What Makes Head-On Collisions So Dangerous?
A head-on crash, also called a front-end accident, occurs when two vehicles traveling toward each other collide. Head-on collisions are extremely dangerous because of the force they impart on victims upon impact.
Head-on crashes often occur at high speeds, increasing the force of the collision. As a result, drivers and passengers can suffer severe or even fatal injuries. Roughly four percent of all vehicle-on-vehicle collisions are head-on collisions. However, head-on crashes represent 12 percent of injury accidents and a whopping 27.4 percent of fatal vehicle accidents.
The violence of impact in a head-on collision can overwhelm the safety features in cars, such as airbags and seatbelts. Even with these protections, the intense impact often leads to life-threatening injuries or death. These accidents frequently occur on roads where vehicles move fast, like highways or rural routes, leaving little time to react or avoid a crash.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions
In most cases, head-on crashes occur when one vehicle crosses into the path of another traveling in the opposite direction. Below are some common causes of these devastating accidents:
- Distracted driving – Drivers who look at their phones, adjust the radio, or become distracted by passengers can drift out of their lane and collide with oncoming traffic.
- Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Impaired drivers might cause head-on crashes after veering into opposite lanes. Alcohol is often a factor in wrong-way accidents, where intoxicated drivers enter highways facing oncoming traffic and cause head-on collisions.
- Falling asleep – Fatigued drivers can doze off and lose control of their vehicles. This can cause their cars to drift into oncoming traffic without any attempt to correct the direction.
- Improper passing – Some head-on wrecks occur when drivers try to pass on two-lane roads. If they misjudge the speed of oncoming cars or pass illegally, they might not have time to return to their lane.
- Road design issues – On some roads, especially in rural areas, sharp curves or narrow lanes can lead to drivers unintentionally crossing into oncoming traffic.
Types of Head-On Collision Injuries
Head-on collisions often lead to severe injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Dislocations
- Face and eye injuries
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Wisconsin Head-On Collision Case?
Proving someone else at fault in a Wisconsin head-on collision case requires showing that the other driver (or another at-fault party) failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure led to the crash. A car accident lawyer can gather evidence to build a strong case demonstrating this carelessness, also known as negligence.
Examples of evidence include police reports, medical records, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, toxicology test results, and any citations the police issued. These reports can establish the facts of the collision and point to who was at fault.
In complex cases, your attorney might work with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze the scene and recreate the events leading up to the crash. These specialists can examine skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions to determine how the head-on collision occurred and whether the other driver crossed the centerline or acted recklessly.
By combining all this evidence, an experienced head-on collision lawyer can present a compelling case that the other driver’s negligence directly caused your injuries.
What Should I Do After a Head-On Collision?
After a head-on collision, you can take several steps to protect your health, legal rights, and ability to seek compensation. You should:
- Seek medical attention. Even if you received treatment at the scene or the hospital, follow up with your doctor for treatment, attend all physical therapy appointments, and document any lingering pain or symptoms.
- Request copies of the police report. The official police accident report will contain critical details about the collision, including the officer’s initial opinion regarding fault, witness names and statements, and a record of any traffic violations.
- Gather and preserve evidence. Keep photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Save any communications you have with the other driver or witnesses.
- Notify your insurance company. Inform your insurer of the crash and provide the basic details, but be cautious when speaking to the adjuster. Never agree to give a recorded statement or sign medical release forms until you consult a skilled head-on collision lawyer.
- Keep track of your expenses. Document all accident-related expenses, including medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages from missing work.
- Contact a car accident attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can evaluate your case, gather evidence, and handle communication with the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery.
Get Legal Help After a Head-On Crash in Wisconsin
If you’ve been injured in a head-on collision, the team at LawtonCates is here to help you with your case. We aren’t just any old law firm. With more than six decades of experience serving South Central Wisconsin, we know the local legal landscape and how to pursue maximum compensation in your case. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.