West Chester Head-On Collision Attorney
A head-on collision is a serious type of crash where the front portions of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with one another. It can also involve just a single vehicle, when its front end collides with a fixed object like a parked car.
Head-on collisions in West Chester, Pennsylvania, are usually caused by careless driving behavior, such as distracted driving, driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs, or excessive speed. What’s more, the force exerted in head-on collisions can be significant, particularly if one or both vehicles are traveling at speed. This can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, or paralysis. Sadly, in some cases, these crashes may result in fatalities.
In 2022, head-on collisions in Pennsylvania accounted for 13% of crashes and 4% of fatalities. While they are not the most common type of crash, there was a total of 4,586 head-on collisions in the state during that time period, with 153 fatalities. This means that thousands of people’s lives have been disrupted by this serious type of accident, resulting in injury and emotional distress.
If you or a loved one have been affected by such an accident, be sure to consult with a head-on collision lawyer in West Chester, Pennsylvania, who can help you understand your rights and enable a claim for compensation.
How and Why Do Head-On Crashes in Pennsylvania Happen?
As mentioned above, a head-on collision, also known as a frontal collision, is when the front part of a vehicle crashes into a fixed object or another vehicle in motion. After the collision, one or both of the vehicles involved may tip or roll over.
What’s alarming about head-on collisions is their severe consequences. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2021, frontal or head-on collisions caused 59% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths, making them by far the most lethal type of crash.
So, why do head-on collisions in Pennsylvania happen? There is a wide range of reasons for this type of car accident, which include:
- Distracted driving – The term “distracted driving” refers to driving in a way that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the steering wheel, or your attention away from driving. In some cases, all three of these situations are at play. So, if a driver is distracted by rubbernecking an accident on the other side of the road, eating or drinking at the wheel, or sending a text message, they may momentarily lose control and crash head-on into another driver.
- Driving while tired – When a driver doesn’t take adequate breaks on long journeys or drives after little sleep, they risk causing a head-on collision. This can easily happen if they nod off at the wheel and veer into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
- Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs – Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs means that the ability to drive a vehicle safely is impaired. Reflexes are slower and depth of perception is less acute, while the driver may have an inflated sense of confidence and belief in their abilities to drive safely. This can result in a serious, even fatal, head-on crash.
- Dangerous driving conditions – Adverse conditions such as icy roads, snow, or heavy rain may mean that it’s harder than usual to retain control of a vehicle, which may easily slide or skid on the road head-on into another car.
- Mechanical failure – When something goes wrong with a car, this can also result in a head-on crash causing injury or even death. For example, a driver may have failed to get worn tires replaced, so they don’t grip the road as they should. Or a mechanic may have noticed worn brake pads on a routine inspection but failed to warn the driver or offer to replace them. Sometimes, car manufacturers may also be to blame for a fault that causes a serious mechanical failure and results in a head-on collision.
Whatever the reason for the head-on collision that you’ve been involved in, make sure you reach out to a West Chester head-on collision attorney so you can understand what compensation you are due.
Head-On Collisions Can Cause Serious Injuries
It’s no wonder that head-on collisions cause serious injuries, particularly if the vehicles involved are traveling at speed. Even if your airbag deploys in a head-on crash, you could still be left with severe and life-changing damage to your person.
If you’ve had the misfortune to be involved in a head-on accident, it’s important to get seen by a doctor straight away. Even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt, they can check for internal injuries that may not be apparent straight away.
It’s also important to get checked out by a medical professional. They can supply you with the documentation you need if you decide to make a claim against the other driver at a later point.
And remember, it can be a good idea to consult with a West Chester car accident lawyer if you’ve been hurt in this locality. They’re there to help you get compensation for serious injuries that you receive as a result of the accident, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries – A traumatic brain injury (also known as a TBI) happens when the head is hit directly, impacting the brain, or when the brain hits the inside of the skull in an event such as a head-on collision. This can happen when the seat belt holds back the body, but the head moves forward suddenly on impact. Traumatic brain injuries may cause mild or moderate symptoms like dizziness that are temporary or may have longer-lasting, more significant effects like memory loss and personality changes.
- Neck and back injuries – The neck is particularly at risk of injury in a head-on collision, as it is not restrained with a seat belt. Injuries to the neck and back may also impact on the spinal cord that runs through the center of the spine. In the most severe incidents, an injured spinal cord may result in total or partial paralysis.
- Chest injuries – Chest injuries are a common feature of head-on collisions and may involve bruising or broken ribs, which could even puncture a lung. Chest injuries may also affect breathing in the short and longer term.
- Internal injuries – Internal injuries are particularly dangerous after a high-impact crash like a head-on collision since they may not be detected straight away. These types of injuries include damage to the heart or lungs from broken ribs and damage to the kidneys, spleen, liver, or intestines following the impact of a crash.
- Fractures – Fractured bones are common after high-speed, head-on collisions. If your limbs hit the steering wheel or dashboard with force, then you may end up with broken arms or legs. Another fracture you may sustain is a broken pelvis, which can be particularly debilitating.
- Cuts and bruises – Cuts and bruises are common around the chest, shoulder, and pelvis areas in an accident, and they may range from mild to severe. In addition, cuts may result in significant blood loss, posing a risk to your health.
How Wilk Law Can Help After a Head-On Collision in Pennsylvania
Here at Wilk Law, we are passionate about assisting people to get the compensation they deserve following head-on vehicle collisions.
This is how we go about helping you to get the justice — and peace of mind — that’s due to you:
We assess your damages. We are experienced in dealing with the aftermath of accidents like head-on collisions and know that they have far-reaching consequences. We understand that many people involved in accidents simply don’t know how much compensation they deserve — they may not have been in this situation before or are still dealing with the emotional aftermath of the incident. That’s why we conduct a thorough review of your case, taking into account factors such as ongoing medical treatment, to identify a fair and accurate amount to claim for damages.
We collect evidence to help your case. We help you collect the evidence you need to file a successful claim, showing that the other driver caused you injury and distress through their actions. To collate this evidence on your own would be a daunting task — that’s why we’re here by your side to help you do this, with the aim of getting you a fair and just amount of compensation.
We negotiate a settlement for you. Dealing with the other party’s insurance company to negotiate damages can be challenging on your own. Let us take the strain and use our years of experience to liaise with the insurance company, using the tactics and skills we’ve already honed to get you the best result.
We represent you in court. If the other party’s insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount of compensation, your claim could be heard in court. Let Wilk Law guide you through this process, representing you so your case is argued in the clearest way possible and getting you the result you’re entitled to.
What If the Head-On Collision Was Fatal?
If you’ve experienced losing a loved one in a head-on collision, it will impact you in many different ways.
On top of the emotional fall-out, you’ll be having to deal with planning a funeral and dealing with all the admin work that comes with the passing of a relative or loved one.
If you’ve lost a partner who contributed income to the household, then you will have to face a future with the loss of earnings too.
And if you’ve also been involved in the accident, you may be dealing with your own injuries and medical care on top of everything else.
Of course, no amount of money can compensate for the loss of someone you loved dearly. But it can help bring peace of mind, knowing that you won’t have to struggle financially on your own.
In these tragic circumstances, we can help you with a wrongful death claim that could compensate you for factors such as funeral costs, loss of earnings, and emotional trauma.
Trust Wilk Law to offer a compassionate approach in your time of need, helping to secure a better future after your tragic loss.
Damages Our Law Firm Can Help You Recover After a Head-On Collision in Pennsylvania
For head-on collisions in Pennsylvania, Wilk Law could help you recover a settlement from the other party’s insurance company or assist you by taking your claim to court. The kind of damages you can apply for include:
- Medical expenses – You may be entitled to financial compensation to help pay for medical expenses such as treatment at the emergency room or other hospital departments, surgery, any stays in hospital or physical therapy.
- Damage to property – You could be awarded damages to cover the cost of repairing your vehicle or, if it’s beyond repair, replacing it. You may also be eligible for damage inflicted on your property during the accident.
- Lost earnings – You may be entitled to damages to compensate you for loss of earnings if you have had to skip work because of your accident. And if you can’t perform the same role as before the accident because of your injuries, you may be eligible for payment to cover future lost wages or permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering – You may be due compensation to cover pain and suffering, which includes mental distress and anxiety, or anguish caused by scarring or disfigurement as a result of the accident.
- Wrongful death – In the tragic circumstances where a loved one has been killed in a head-on collision, you can claim compensation for the loss of companionship as well as for the loss of earnings that your partner or household member contributed.
Car Accident Lawyer in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Dealing with the consequences of a head-on collision can feel daunting. But know that you don’t have to go it alone. Tyler Wilk, a highly experienced and successful head-on collision attorney, is right here by your side.
Tyler has vast experience in head-on collision cases here in West Chester, Pennsylvania, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and more. This makes him your perfect ally to fight your corner and get you the compensation you deserve.
Find out more about Tyler’s expertise and his unwavering commitment to getting justice for his clients on his profile page. Or reach out for a free consultation to understand more about how he could help you win compensation for your accident — and peace of mind too.
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