How to Determine Fault in a Head-On Collision
Head-on collisions can be some of the most dangerous car accidents you could be involved in. Your injuries may be severe, and worse, you may be unsure where to start on the road to recovery. You may even be unsure how to prove that the other driver or another party was at fault for your injuries.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you may need some help to identify the at-fault party and get compensated for your injuries. Your NYC car accident lawyer can help you identify the at-fault party, prove they were at fault, and get compensated for the suffering you experienced.
Common Causes of Head-On Collisions
When you’re hurt in a head-on collision, it may have been because another driver was driving in the wrong lane. They may have swerved into your lane suddenly, and you were unable to stop or slow down. That can lead to dangerous or even deadly consequences.
Major driver errors like this can come from many causes. The driver may have been paying attention to their phone, for example, and not the road. They may have drifted off to sleep behind the wheel after a late-night or long drive. In both of these instances, the other driver may have drifted into your lane and caused the accident.
Drunk driving can lead to these devastating crashes, too. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not be able to make quick judgement calls or react quickly to the current situation. That can lead to devastating accidents caused by their carelessness.
The Other Driver May Not Be at Fault
But in some cases, the driver may not have made a mistake. They may have instead lost control of their vehicle for other reasons. So who’s at fault in these cases?
If a driver lost control because of a mechanical failure in their car, it may not be the driver’s fault, but the manufacturer’s. Manufacturers are expected to make their products reasonably safe for users. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for the injuries their products cause.
In other cases, a defect in the road may have caused the accident. For example, a driver may have hydroplaned because of a road defect that caused water to pool in the road. Because they may not have lost control if the road was properly made, the New York City Department of Transportation may be held accountable for your injuries.
What If I Was Partly at Fault?
In many cases, car accident victims are worried about the part they played in their car accident. You may believe you weren’t paying as much attention as you should have, or you glanced at your phone just before the accident happened.
But admitting even partial fault can hurt your chances of getting the compensation you’re due. If you accept part of the blame for the accident, your compensation can be reduced by that amount. If you believe the at-fault party may pin part of the blame on you, talk with your lawyer about avoiding fault.
Connect with a Head-On Collision Lawyer
A head-on collision can devastate you physically, financially, and mentally. Worse, you may be unsure how to prove the other driver was at fault for your severe injuries and your suffering.
The lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP have the tools you need to determine fault when you’re hurt in a head-on collision. They can use the evidence surrounding your incident to insulate the validity of your claim and carry your case into the courtroom when necessary.
We know injuries and a lack of experience can make a lawsuit feel impossible to face. You are not alone, start with a free consultation. To set up your consultation, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or fill out the following online contact form.