While any type of car crash can cause catastrophic injuries, head-on collisions tend to be among the most severe traffic accidents in Denver. Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles collide while approaching one another from opposite directions. They can be particularly serious when both vehicles are traveling at high speeds.
If you were injured in a head-on collision in Denver and it wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. The head-on collision lawyers at Olson Personal Injury Lawyers, have been helping victims of car accidents seek the financial relief they need since 2012. Our Colorado legal team has the skills needed to help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Causes of Head-On Car Collisions
Driver negligence is a contributing factor in most Colorado car accidents, including head-on car crashes. It can take many forms. Some of the most common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Reckless driving
- Failing to adjust to poor weather or low visibility
- Using poor technique when overtaking a vehicle
- Drunk driving and drugged driving
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Passing on a curve or in a no-passing zone
While head-on collisions can occur virtually anywhere, motorists driving on roads with a single lane in each direction are particularly vulnerable to this type of collision.
Common Car Accident Injuries in a Head-On Auto Collision
The force of a head-on impact is usually stronger than the force of other car accidents because the two vehicles involved are traveling in opposite directions when they collide. Although many modern safety features like airbags and seat belts protect drivers, head-on collisions still result in serious or fatal injuries, such as:
- Facial injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Accidental amputation
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traffic deaths
What Should You Do After a Head-On Car Collision?
If you were involved in a head-on collision, you should consider taking these steps in the days, weeks, and months after the accident:
- At the scene, call 911 and gather photo evidence if you can. Take pictures of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and the scene of the accident from many different angles. Ask any nearby witnesses for their contact information. Do not admit fault.
- Seek prompt medical attention as soon as possible. Some potentially life-threatening conditions may not show immediate symptoms. The adrenaline and shock of a crash can also hide symptoms. A prompt and thorough medical exam can provide the diagnosis and treatment you need.
- Gather documents, including the police report, medical records, hospital bills, evidence of missed work, and any other documentation related to your case.
- Keep a pain journal and document your recovery. You should include details about your level of physical pain each day, activities your injuries prevent you from doing, as well as your emotional and mental condition.
- Avoid discussing the accident on social media until your claim has been settled or your case is resolved.
- Consult with an accomplished head-on collision attorney as soon as possible after the crash. An attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claim, identify all potential sources of compensation, and negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.
Proving Liability for a Head-On Collision in Denver, CO
To demand financial compensation for your losses, you must prove that the other driver was responsible for the accident. While it might seem obvious that the driver who hit you was at fault, the other driver’s insurance company may try to contest your personal injury claim or shift blame to you. An accident lawyer in Denver can gather evidence that shows liability and supports your car accident claim.
To prove liability, your attorney will need to establish that the other driver’s negligence caused the motor vehicle accident that resulted in your serious injuries. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable caution to avoid harming others. For example, if the other driver’s distracted driving made them veer into the opposite lane and crash into you, they could be found negligent and responsible for the crash under Colorado law.
Your Denver Denver car accident lawyer will also need to show that, as a result of the at-fault party’s carelessness, you suffered injuries and incurred compensable losses.
Potential Compensation for Accident Victims
If you sustained severe injuries in an auto accident another driver caused, you could be entitled to bring an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation. Depending on the specific losses you suffered, you might be able to recover financial relief for economic damages and non-economic damages such as:
- Present and future medical expenses, including hospital bills, other medical bills, in-home medical care, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and more
- Lost wages if you are unable to work for a period of time while your injuries heal
- Lost future income if you are no longer able to do the same job or if you have to be placed on light duty because of a temporary or permanent disability
- Physical pain and suffering, as well as mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions caused by the accident
- Property damage including vehicle repairs or replacement
In rare cases, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages. In Colorado, juries can only award punitive damages in cases of outrageous or extremely negligent conduct. Punitive damages are intended to “punish” the defendant and deter them from the same behavior in the future.
Statute of Limitations to File a Head-On Collision Claim
Colorado has a three-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents. You must file a lawsuit against the at-fault party within this time, or the court will probably refuse to hear your case, and you won’t be able to pursue compensation through the legal system.
Your car accident case does not need to be resolved within this period. You simply need to initiate legal action before the statute of limitations passes. The vast majority of personal injury cases settle before they get to trial.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer at Olson Personal Injury Lawyers
If you are looking for a Denver car accident attorney who will prioritize your case, treat you with compassion, communicate with you on a regular basis, and fight hard for your right to compensation, look no further than our personal injury law firm. Contact Olson Personal Injury Lawyers, to discuss your situation and evaluate your available remedies in a free case evaluation.