Head-on car accidents are extremely traumatizing. With the sheer number of crashes, including head-on accidents, you simply cannot have an attitude of “it will never happen to me.” Instead, you should prepare yourself for any eventuality on the road, especially a head-on collision.
A head-on crash usually happens when a vehicle crosses into an oncoming lane. Thousands die on Nevada highways every year because of vehicular accidents. Others sustain severe injuries that rip their lives and families apart.
Drivers do this for many reasons. For instance, some drivers are tired when they get behind the wheel. They may close their eyes involuntarily for just a second, only to find a car bearing down on them.
Drivers are often distracted as well. Too many drivers speed down Nevada’s highways while talking on the phone, eating, or texting. These activities divert their attention from the road, making a crash likely.
Moreover, there are many who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This, combined with speeding, makes for exceptionally dangerous situations on the road.
Sometimes, drivers are just impatient. They may not want to wait behind a slow vehicle or truck, so they try to overtake them. When drivers do this on the road where they are not supposed to overtake, the odds of a head-on crash skyrocket.
If you are injured in a head-on crash because of another driver’s negligence or distraction, you have grounds to sue for compensation. It is important to know your rights if you want to pursue legal action.
It is your right to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Personal injury claims compensate victims for losses after an accident or incident. These losses include medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and property damage.
If you want to file a personal injury claim, you must:
Victims of car accidents can recover compensation for all the abovementioned losses. If you want to sue for medical expenses, you can claim compensation for all costs related to your injuries. These include emergency medical care after the accident, hospital bills, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
If you cannot work because of your injuries, you can file compensation for your loss of income. You can claim immediate wage losses and potential future earnings if your injuries are disabling.
You will likely experience a high level of pain and suffering after a head-on crash. In addition to your physical pain, you may experience emotional distress and a loss of enjoyment of life. You can also claim compensation for these non-economic damages.
Furthermore, you can seek compensation for having your car fixed and other personal property replaced that may have been lost or damaged in the accident.
Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence law, you can recover damages even if you were partly to blame for the accident. However, if your percentage of blame exceeds 50%, you will not be allowed to claim compensation.
If you are found to be 30% at fault, you can claim compensation, but you will receive 30% less. If it is found that you are more than 50% to blame for the accident, you will receive nothing.
This law aims to ensure that victims can still get some compensation even if they are partially to blame for an accident.
You can only sue for compensation and protect your rights if you follow the right steps after a head-on collision.
Keep in mind that accidents are chaotic and terrifying. When it happens, your thoughts will not be on how to sue for damages. You should stay calm and get medical help immediately if you and the other driver are injured.
Even if you feel okay, you must get medical attention. Some crash injuries are not always obvious right away. You may walk away from the scene only to collapse next to the roadway because of internal bleeding.
Or, you may go home only to pass out because of a severe concussion. Getting medical care right away can prevent unseen injuries from worsening and threatening your life.
Your medical records will also be invaluable if you decide afterward to claim compensation. These records can link the crash to your injuries, a vital part of a personal injury claim.
In addition to getting medical attention, you must also report the accident to the police. If you are too severely injured to make a call, ask someone at the scene to do it.
The same goes for evidence of the scene. If you feel well enough to take photos and videos of the area, road conditions, and vehicles, do so. If not, ask someone to take them for you.
If you are dealing with serious injuries after a head-on crash, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will further protect your rights as a victim and help determine who was at fault for the accident.
Your lawyer will also guide you through the legal process of filing a claim and negotiating with insurance providers on your behalf.
If it is established that you are not at fault or only partly to blame for the accident, your lawyer will file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company. It is often challenging to deal with insurance adjusters by yourself, so you should let your lawyer handle all communications and negotiations.
Knowing what to do and how to protect yourself after an accident will help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
By following the steps outlined here and hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer, you will have the resources you need to rebuild your life after a devastating accident.
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