Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. If you were involved in one, a Bastrop car accident lawyer can help you file a claim.
The Texas Law Dog has been advocating for accident victims since 2018. If you were injured in a head-on crash with a negligent driver, a Bastrop head-on collision lawyer can help you pursue a fair settlement.
How a Bastrop Head-On Collision Attorney Can Help
After a head-on car crash, you may be dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and calls from pushy insurance adjusters.
A Bastrop personal injury lawyer can help by:
- Conducting an investigation: An attorney can investigate the crash, review available evidence, and determine how the collision occurred.
- Calculating your claim’s value: A lawyer can assess your losses and determine the true value of your claim.
- Handling settlement negotiations: An attorney can handle conversations with insurers, respond to requests for information, and address settlement offers on your behalf.
- Taking your case to court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a lawyer can prepare your case for litigation and present evidence supporting your claim.
What Types of Compensation Can You Pursue?
A successful personal injury claim may provide compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical expenses: You can pursue compensation for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other necessary treatment.
- Future medical care: You may receive additional compensation for injuries that require ongoing treatment, assistive devices, additional surgeries, or long-term rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: You can recover compensation for income you lost while recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income, you may pursue additional damages.
- Property damage: You can include the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle in your claim.
- Pain and suffering: You may seek compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and the challenges associated with recovering from serious injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can pursue additional compensation if your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, family activities, exercise, or other activities you previously enjoyed.
- Punitive damages: You can recover punitive damages if you can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the other driver acted with gross negligence, malice, or fraud.
Bastrop Head On Collision Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
How Long Do You Have to File a Head-On Collision Claim in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years from the date of the crash. If you try to file your claim after this deadline expires, the court will dismiss your case.
Exceptions can apply in certain circumstances, such as if the accident involved a government-owned vehicle or caused injury to a minor. A head-on collision lawyer in Bastrop can review your case and determine how much time you have left to pursue a lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Head-On Collision?
The driver whose negligence or recklessness caused the crash is typically liable for a head-on collision. However, liability is not always limited to one party.
Multiple parties can be held legally responsible for a Texas car accident, including:
- A negligent driver
- An employer (if a worker caused the collision while performing their job)
- A vehicle manufacturer (if a defective vehicle or component contributed to the crash)
- A maintenance company (if negligent maintenance caused a mechanical failure)
- A government entity (if dangerous roadway conditions contributed to the crash)
What Causes Head-On Collisions in Bastrop?
Head-on collisions can happen in many ways, but driver negligence is a common factor. Common causes of these crashes include:
- Distracted driving: Looking at a phone, adjusting a navigation system, eating, or engaging in another distracting activity can cause a driver to leave their lane.
- Drunk or impaired driving: Alcohol and drugs can affect a driver’s judgment, reaction time, coordination, and ability to stay in their lane.
- Fatigued driving: A tired driver may have slower reactions or briefly fall asleep behind the wheel.
- Speeding: Excessive speed can make it harder for a driver to maintain control or respond to changing road conditions.
- Unsafe passing: A driver may attempt to pass another vehicle without enough time or space to safely return to their lane.
- Aggressive driving: Tailgating, sudden lane changes, and other dangerous behaviors can contribute to a collision.
- Weather conditions: Rain, flooding, fog, or other conditions can make it harder to control a vehicle or see the road.
- Mechanical problems: Tire failures, steering problems, brake defects, or other mechanical issues can cause a vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Head-On Collision?
The force involved in a head-on collision can cause serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Facial injuries
- Lacerations and severe bruising
- Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Burns
- Nerve damage
What to Do After a Head-On Collision in Bastrop
The actions you take after a crash will affect your ability to build a strong legal claim. If you are physically able to do so, you should:
- Call 911: Report the collision and request emergency medical assistance if anyone is injured.
- Exchange information: Obtain the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance information, and vehicle details.
- Document the scene: Take photographs or videos of the vehicles, roadway, damage, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
- Identify witnesses: Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Seek medical treatment: Get evaluated by a medical professional, regardless of the severity of your injuries.
- Keep your records: Save medical bills, receipts, wage information, prescriptions, treatment records, and other documentation related to the collision.
- Avoid giving recorded statements: Do not discuss fault or provide a recorded statement when speaking to insurance adjusters.
- Get legal help: The sooner you reach out to head-on collision attorneys in Bastrop, the sooner we can begin building your case.
Talk to a Head-On Collision Lawyer in Bastrop
A head-on crash can cause devastating injuries. If you were injured in a head-on collision with a negligent driver, a Bastrop head-on collision attorney from The Texas Law Dog can guide you through the process of filing a claim and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Schedule a free case review to get help with your claim.
