Based on Louisiana law, a motorist who acted carelessly and caused a head-on collision is often liable for the injuries and damages that occur. There are rules and safety precautions in place to prevent such a traffic accident from happening.
Drivers who ignore road signs or safe driving practices can be held responsible. In some cases, another party—such as a government entity or construction crew—may be liable for failing to direct traffic properly using signs and lane markings. Through an investigation, our team can uncover which driver or other party acted negligently, leading to a situation where two cars could collide.
How do Head-On Collisions Occur?
Head-on crashes can happen in a few different ways, but each requires a driver to be where they are not supposed to be. Some actions that can cause these collisions include:
- Driving the wrong direction on a one-way street
- Passing when not allowed or when the road is not clear
- Crossing over the median on a divided highway
- Entering an exit ramp and going against traffic
- Failing to maintain a lane
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
Law enforcement generally issues citations to the driver who caused this type of accident. There should be information about any traffic tickets issued on the accident report filed in your case. This document can help you and our car accident lawyers understand what the police officer who investigated the crash believes caused it.
Investigating and Documenting this Type of Crash for Your Insurance Claim
If you were the victim of a reckless or careless driver, you will need to have evidence to prove they were at fault and liable for the collision. This is necessary to support your insurance claim and your right to recover an appropriate payout based on your expenses and losses.
Evidence that you may need to prove your case includes:
- The accident report and supporting documents
- Video of the accident, when available
- Eyewitness statements
- Physical evidence, including skid marks and damage to the vehicles
- Accident reconstruction
- Expert opinions
- Medical records relevant to your injuries from the crash
- Documents that support the value of your claim, such as receipts and invoices
For a free legal consultation, call 337-221-9907
Head-On Collisions May Lead to Serious Harm for Everyone Involved
The physics of a head-on collision can lead to the most devastating injuries. Because the vehicles travel toward each other at a certain rate of speed, the forces that occupants experience are amplified. This factor can mean that the injuries suffered in a head-on crash are much worse than those in other types of collisions, even at the same speed.
Some people may sustain injuries that result in health challenges throughout the rest of their lives. They may need ongoing medical care and support. In addition, certain impairments can prevent victims from returning to their previous careers or working another job.
In addition to physical injuries, other types of harm suffered in a head-on traffic collision can include:
- Unexpected expenses
- Economic losses, including lost wages
- Future financial impacts, such as lower earning capacity
- Intangible damages, including reduced quality of life and pain and suffering
Our Team May be Able to Help You Build a Case Against the At-Fault Driver
If you choose to hire a personal injury lawyer from our firm to handle your case, we will manage all the necessary tasks from start to finish. We want you to focus on your treatment and physical recovery.
Our law firm will investigate what happened, gather evidence against the at-fault driver, and prepare an insurance claim for you. If the insurer does not agree to a fair settlement amount, we can sue the driver and seek to hold them responsible in court.
Our personal injury firm works based on contingency fees, which means we do not charge clients upfront fees for our services. Instead, we recover our fees as a percentage of the payout from the insurance claim or lawsuit. Our firm takes this approach to make it easier for your family to enlist the help of an attorney during this trying time.
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Deadlines Could Limit Your Recovery if You Do Not Act Quickly
You must protect your right to sue the at-fault party if you cannot reach a fair agreement with their insurer based on your damages. One essential part of this is ensuring you meet all applicable deadlines.
In a Louisiana injury accident, you generally only have one year to start your lawsuit. This time restriction is found under the state’s civil code:
- CC Art. 3492 for injury accidents
- CC Art. 2315.2 for wrongful death claims in a fatal crash
You could have even less time to file a lawsuit in some cases, which is why it is vital to get started on your case quickly.
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Speak with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Free About Your Collision Case
You can talk to a Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers team member for free today. We offer complimentary consultations to give you an opportunity to discuss your accident with us and learn more about your options before moving forward. We represent clients in Lafayette, Alexandria, Marksville, New Orleans, and other areas of Louisiana.
Call (337) 777-7777 now to learn more.
Call or text 337-221-9907 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
