If you were injured in a head-on car accident caused by someone else, Tiemann Law Firm could represent you in your case. Our experienced car accident attorneys know the ins and outs of accident investigations and how to hold parties liable for their careless actions. When you hire us, we will provide aggressive representation and dependable legal services. We will fight hard to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Head-on collisions can lead to debilitating injuries, catastrophic property damage, and even death. When two cars crash into each other at full force, it puts all vehicle occupants at risk of serious harm. While you’re treating your injuries, you’re forced to face expensive medical bills, physical pain, and the inability to return to work. It can cause tremendous stress as you’re trying to recover from this traumatic experience.
At Tiemann Law Firm, we know you’ve been struggling and want to help you get back on your feet. Our Northern California head-on collision lawyers take all cases on contingency, so you don’t have to pay upfront fees or costs to receive quality legal services. Call us today at (916) 999-9000 for your free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you.
Common Injuries Sustained In Head-On Collisions
Many car crashes are minor, resulting in minimal injuries and property damage. However, some can be devastating, especially when two vehicles collide head-on. Victims typically end up with injuries requiring extensive medical care. The cost of recovering after an accident can put anyone into debt and jeopardize their financial stability.
The violent impact between two cars in a head-on accident can put significant strain on a person’s body. It puts the occupants at an especially high risk of traumatic injuries if one or both drivers were speeding. Some of the most common injuries we see from head-on car crashes are:
- Facial lacerations and disfigurement
- Crush injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
Some injuries are so severe that the victim must live with them for the rest of their life. Permanent injuries can cause ongoing pain and limited mobility. We see some clients who become disabled and require in-home assistance to perform daily tasks. When your injury is debilitating, you can no longer work or care for yourself or your family.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident and the long-term effects you’re facing is overwhelming. It seems unfair that you’re suffering the consequences of someone else’s negligence. Tiemann Law Firm has a track record of holding people accountable for their actions and seeking full and fair compensation for our clients, so they don’t have to worry about paying for any expenses out-of-pocket.
Common Causes of Head-On Car Accidents In Northern California
Operating a motor vehicle requires focus and attention to prevent an accident from happening. Unfortunately, busy roadways contain drivers who disobey traffic laws or become distracted by their cell phones. Someone may inadvertently drift into oncoming traffic or intentionally run a red light because they’re late to work, leading to a head-on collision.
The most common causes of head-on accidents are:
- Speeding – A speeding motorist doesn’t have total control over their car. The faster someone drives, the greater distance they need to come to a complete stop. If another vehicle is traveling directly towards them, stopping or even swerving in time to avoid a crash is nearly impossible.
- Sharp turns – Drivers approaching a sharp turn or curve in the road must adjust their speed and maneuver their car correctly. Approaching it the wrong way could result in the driver drifting into oncoming traffic.
- Distracted driving – Texting while driving, talking to a passenger, and eating are just a few examples of driver distractions that take their attention off the task at hand. They’re unable to register what’s happening in the road ahead and might not notice that they crossed the centerline.
- Swerving – Sometimes, drivers must swerve to avoid hitting a pothole or another hazard on the road. However, if other drivers are traveling in the opposite direction, a head-on accident could occur.
- Unsafe passing – Motorists passing someone in a no-passing zone could end up on a collision course with an oncoming vehicle.
- Fatigued driving – Tired drivers lack the full functional capacity to operate their cars safely and react appropriately to emergencies. Someone could fall asleep at the wheel, drift into another lane, and cause a head-on crash.
- Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drug impairment causes various symptoms that make it dangerous to drive. A drunk or drugged driver might not notice they’re traveling the wrong way down a one-way street and towards oncoming vehicles.
Another driver’s carelessness led to your injuries. The injuries had a significant impact on your life and future. You won’t be alone during this difficult experience as we help you seek the justice you deserve so you can heal and move forward.
Possible Compensation In An Insurance Claim
You might wonder how to seek compensation after a head-on accident in Northern California. California follows a fault system. That means whoever causes an accident becomes financially responsible for the victim’s injuries and resulting losses.
State law requires all drivers to purchase auto insurance with liability coverage. The minimum limits of liability are:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 for property damage
If the other motorist was at fault for the crash, you could file a liability claim with their insurance company to recover a settlement that compensates for your losses. Some of these losses could include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Although it’s a legal requirement for all motorists to purchase liability insurance, some drive without it. If you discover the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance coverage, you might be entitled to compensation from your auto insurance company.
Uninsured motorist (UM) covers an injured party’s losses after an accident if the liable driver doesn’t carry insurance. You should check with your insurance company to verify if you opted to have this coverage because it’s not a legal requirement. If you didn’t choose to reject it, you could file a claim for compensation of these losses:
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
Underinsured motorist coverage is another option for seeking compensation if the at-fault driver’s liability coverage isn’t high enough to cover your total losses. After collecting a settlement from a liability claim, you could then turn to your auto insurance company for coverage of your remaining losses.
Filing A Lawsuit After A Head-On Car Accident
Besides filing an insurance claim, you also have the option of filing a lawsuit. Tiemann Law Firm can help you determine which option is best for receiving the monetary award you need.
You must adhere to a statute of limitations if you want to sue the negligent driver. California uses a two-year statute of limitations for injury cases. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident date. If the deadline passes, the court will likely dismiss your case if you try to pursue legal action.
The pure comparative negligence law in California could impact the amount of money you’re entitled to receive. This rule diminishes an accident victim’s compensation by their percentage of shared fault. For example, if you incurred $20,000 in expenses, but a jury determines you were 10% to blame for the crash, you could only pursue up to $18,000 in compensation.
Why You Should Hire Tiemann Law Firm
You need an experienced Northern California head-on collision lawyer by your side to help you through this devastating time in your life. You’re likely to receive much less compensation than you deserve if you choose to handle your case alone. That’s because there are state laws you might not understand and many obstacles you could face that you don’t know how to overcome. Tiemann Law Firm knows how to investigate head-on car accidents and collect the necessary evidence proving another person should be held liable.
We will begin our investigation by gathering substantial evidence to show how the accident happened, who caused it, and the injuries you sustained. Examples of evidence we might obtain are:
- Police reports
- Video surveillance of the crash
- Your medical records and medical bills
- Photos from the accident scene
- Damage estimates for all cars involved
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- All available auto insurance policies
We can also file your insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf. You won’t have to lift a finger while we’re working on your case. Your only job should be to seek medical treatment and recover from your injuries. You’ve already endured enough trauma. Let our dedicated legal team fight for your rights and hold the at-fault driver responsible for their wrongdoing.
Contact Us
Tiemann Law Firm has over two decades of experience helping accident victims in Northern California. We care about our clients and will treat you as a priority throughout your entire case. You can depend on our Northern California head-on collision lawyers to aggressively pursue the maximum available financial award that pays for your medical care and puts you on the right track towards a brighter future.
If you sustained injuries in a head-on car accident, call Tiemann Law Firm right now at (916) 999-9000 for your free consultation.
