Car accidents always have the potential for serious injury, but head-on collisions are especially horrific. If you have been in such an accident, you may be experiencing tremendous hardship as you struggle to pay your bills, recover from your injuries, and care for your family.
It doesn’t seem fair when your life is turned upside down due to another person’s actions. We agree, and we can help. Our Kansas City head-on collision lawyers can explain your rights under the law and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
At Foster Wallace, we have recovered over $1 billion in awards and settlements for injured victims. Our Kansas City car accident lawyers can help you, too. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and tell us what happened.
What Is a Head-on Collision?
In a head-on collision, two cars traveling in opposite directions collide, with the front end of each vehicle taking the brunt of the impact. Obviously, highways and roads are designed to make sure this doesn’t happen, so when head-on collisions occur, something has gone very wrong.
Head-on collisions happen most often when one driver has veered into the opposite oncoming lane. Some of the reasons this may happen include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Swerving to avoid an animal or object in the road
- Passing another vehicle illegally
- Exhaustion and falling asleep at the wheel
If you have been injured in a head-on collision with another driver, it is smart to reach out to a Kansas City personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Should You Accept a Settlement?
In a head-on collision, it should be easy to determine who was at fault and get the compensation you need from their insurance company. Unfortunately, trying to take on insurance companies on your own may not work out as you’d expected.
Soon after your accident, an insurance company might approach you with a settlement offer. It may seem helpful, but the offer is often much less than you need to cover your expenses. They hope you take it without realizing what your claim is really worth.
If you accept it, you may waive your rights to future compensation, even if your injury gets worse. Our Kansas City head-on collision attorneys will know what your claim is worth as well, and we aren’t going to let an insurance company push you around.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Understanding Missouri Insurance Laws
Missouri is an at–fault state for car accident claims. This means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for the other driver’s damages. However, Missouri also operates under the doctrine of comparative negligence.
Comparative negligence holds each driver accountable for their role in the accident by allowing them to recoup damages based on the percentage they were at fault. If you are deemed 20% at fault for the accident, you may only recover 80% of the damages you would otherwise be entitled to.
An insurance company could attempt to reduce your settlement by arguing that you played a role in causing the accident. A skilled attorney can prove who was liable and help you get the compensation you need.
How Much Is a Head-on Collision Case Worth?
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, head-on collision cases can be worth thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some cases, such as those involving catastrophic injury, could be worth millions.
Our attorneys can assess your case and determine the maximum compensation you may be able to recover. To arrive at this number, we will consider your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Your expenses that result from your accident and injury are considered economic damages. They have a specific monetary amount associated with them, and coming up with a number to cover your costs is straightforward. This may include:
- Your medical expenses, such as doctor’s visits, emergency room care, surgery, and medications
- Specialist visits and consultations, such as orthopedics, physical therapy, and occupational therapy
- The projected costs of future medical care like ongoing therapy, medications, and surgeries
- Your lost wages due to your inability to work after your injury
- Future employment issues such as lost wages or job retraining
- Property damages, such as repairing your vehicle
It is smart to hold on to copies of receipts and invoices and keep track of all of your expenses after your crash. This could help your attorney put together a comprehensive picture of your damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Your non-economic damages consider the emotional, psychological, and social problems caused by your accident and injuries. They aren’t always recoverable, and your head-on collision lawyer in Kansas City can let you know if they might apply to your case.
Your non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
To help your attorney show your need for non-economic damages, keep notes on how the accident has impacted your life and the lives of your family members.
Punitive Damages
A court awards punitive damages in cases where the defendant has behaved with extreme recklessness or negligence. The idea is to punish them and deter similar behaviors in the future. While punitive damages are rare, they can increase your award significantly.
Punitive damages would not be part of your settlement; however, in circumstances where an insurance company believes they may be awarded if the case went to trial, they may be more willing to settle. Your attorney can advise you in your specific situation.
Contact a Kansas City Head-On Collision Lawyer
Tragedy can strike quickly. All it takes is one reckless or irresponsible driver and your life is in turmoil. A head-on collision can mean tremendous injuries and long-term recovery where you can’t work and earn the money you need to pay your mounting medical bills.
To make matters worse, the insurance companies that are supposed to be on your side aren’t helping. A Kansas City head-on collision attorney can help you stick up for yourself and get the compensation you need.
Our team at Foster Wallace has over 45 years of combined experience and is ready to help. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help you get your life back on track.
