What To Expect From A Head-On Auto Accident In Ohio
Head-on collisions typically occur when inattentive drivers drift from their lanes into oncoming traffic, or intentionally enter an oncoming traffic lane to pass slower moving traffic ahead. While head-on collisions represent only a small percentage of accidents, they have a disproportionate fatality rate.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the chance of a fatality in a head-on collision is approximately 75 percent.
At Crandall & Pera Law, we are familiar with the many problems that follow a serious auto accident. Instead of being able to focus on recovery, the victims are often set upon by insurance claims adjusters and investigators, or must deal directly with hospitals, physicians and rehabilitation centers. Our auto accident law team is dedicated to protecting the victims’ rights and ensuring that their interests are best served.
Why Is The Fatality Rate For Head-On Collisions So High?
Of all the types of auto accidents, head-on collisions are by far the most dangerous. They are also the rarest. It all has to do with physics. When two vehicles traveling 55 miles per hour apiece collide head-on, the energy of the crash is the same as if either vehicle struck a stationary object at 110 miles per hour.
Cars are neither designed nor built to withstand that kind of force, and can be crushed, ripped open or torn apart by it. In the few head-on collisions in which there are survivors, they often incur multiple fractures, losses of limbs, serious lacerations and life-threatening internal injuries.
How Can An Ohio Auto Accident Attorney Help Me?
At the outset, if negligence is involved, it must be determined who was negligent and to what degree. Ohio uses a comparative negligence standard to determine who was “more at fault.” Because negligence is a “zero-sum game” in which the less is established against you, the more is established against others, it is crucial to have a lawyer make the strongest case on your behalf.
Insurance companies will extend settlement offers as early as they can to prevent their policyholders from exposure to more substantial liability risk they are likely to face at trial. While we make every effort to negotiate with insurers and defendants beforehand, we always prepare our cases for the possibility of trial, and we never hesitate to argue them before a judge and jury if necessary.
An Advocate When You Are Injured In A Head-On Collision
If you have been injured, or a loved one injured or killed in an automobile accident, let us help you prepare a case as soon as possible. Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of an injury. If a suit is not brought in time, you may permanently lose any right to recover compensation for your injury and related financial losses.
Please call us at 855-444-6651 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation today. To serve you better, we have law offices conveniently located in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Chesterland and Chagrin Falls.