Liability Factors of a Tennessee Head-on Collision Claim
Most head-on collisions occur when someone either knowingly or unknowingly is driving on the wrong side of the road or is going the wrong way on a roadway. The most common cause of head-on collisions is drunk driving. When someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may not know that they are traveling in the wrong direction down the interstate or any roadway.
To determine the liability factors of the Tennessee head-on collision that you have been involved in, it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately. An experienced lawyer will be able to help mount a case to successfully argue that the cause of your accident was due to no fault of your own.
Common Causes of Accidents
Someone being tired or fatigued can cause a lot of head-on collisions as well, as an individual may fall asleep and drift in the oncoming traffic without realizing that they have left their lane. Further, fog, bad weather, thunderstorms, and snow where a person cannot see that a person has traveled into the wrong lane of traffic can influence liability in a Tennessee head-on collision claim.
Sometimes, it is confusion over which way to go that causes an accident. If there is a poorly marked roadway or the sign getting onto an interstate is confusing, people may not know that they are going the wrong way and become distracted.
Another factor that could determine liability in a Tennessee head-on collision claim is when people are texting or looking at their phones while driving. They may not realize that they have left their own lane of travel and veered into oncoming traffic.
Possible Injuries
A head-on collision usually creates a tremendous explosion of an impact and because of that, the person involved could have serious injuries. Individuals can die, lose limbs, suffer severe brain injuries, paralysis, and broken bones.
Determining Liability
Determining the liability factors of a head-on collision claim in Tennessee can help an individual recover damages to help compensate for their specific injuries. Every driver on Tennessee roads has a duty of care to ensure they are looking out for the safety of others. When this duty of care is not upheld, and an accident occurs, they can be held liable for any damages or injuries that were caused by their actions. Like other accidents, negligence typically always has a role when a head on collision happens. As a head on collision accident lawyer in Tennessee might tell you, the difficult part will be to prove, through evidence, that the accident was a direct result of the negligent actions of the driver. Also known as the burden of proof.
In head-on collision cases, a lawyer is generally looking to see who was in the right lane of travel which can sometimes be difficult. Sometimes, an attorney will enlist the help of an accident reconstructionist, or start with the Tennessee highway patrol or whoever investigates the claim, to see if there is enough physical evidence to determine who veered into whose lane of traffic.
By choosing the right head on collision lawyer Tennessee has to offer, you can feel peace of mind in knowing that an investigation will be conducted. This will involve a gathering of evidence, identifying witnesses and taking their statements, reviewing medical records, and more. When liability is unclear, a lawyer may be able to help mitigate the settlement depending on the degree of fault you are responsible for.
Following Medical Orders
An individual should want to go to their doctor most importantly so they can get better, go back to work, and take care of their family without much pain.
However, from a legal standpoint, it is very important to go to a doctor because when an attorney presents a person’s case to the jury, every time a victim of a head-on collision goes to the doctor, the doctor is going to write down their complaint and their problems. Therefore, an attorney can show a jury the medical records and timeline of what their clients went through to attempt to determine the liability factors involved in their Tennessee head-on collision claim.
Statistics Regarding Head On Collisions
In Tennessee, and throughout the United States, head on collisions are a serious problem, and sadly lead to serious consequences. By understanding the true danger of this deadly type of collision, we at The Higgins Firm, hope to encourage extreme safety behind the wheel.
Head on collision have a higher fatality rate than other types of car accidents.
When combined with pedestrian, bicycle, and rollover accidents, head on collisions make up for just 6.1% of car crashes, yet result in just over one third of the fatalities.
In the United States, there is an average of 125,000 head on collisions every year. This accounts for 2% of car accidents, but 10% of fatalities.
If you’ve been injured in a head on car accident in Tennessee, our car accident lawyers would like to speak with you. Call The Higgins Firm now.
What You Should Do After a Head On Collision
Following a head on collision that involves serious injuries, or fatalities, the moments afterwards can feel emotionally overwhelming. You might be unsure about what to do – this is normal. It is important to take legal action as soon as possible. Victims, or their family members, should take pictures of the scene and document injuries. If there were any witnesses, their contact details should be taken down. If a police report has not been filed, this should be done right away. After, please call a head on collision accident lawyer in Tennessee.
Once medical care has been given, financial recovery may begin. Consult with a leading head on collision accident lawyer in Tennessee, such as one from The Higgins Firm.