Head-on collisions are one of the more dangerous types of wrecks. They often occur at high speeds, with both vehicles contributing a massive amount of force to the wreck. People involved in these crashes may suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, crush injuries, and more. Healing can require extensive time away from work and cost hundreds of thousands in medical bills. A lawyer who handles front-end car accidents in Pensacola could help you seek compensation from the person who caused it. Schedule a consultation with a seasoned car crash attorney at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon to discuss your legal rights.
In a front-end collision, the fronts of two vehicles collide. Presumably, that means that one driver was going in the wrong direction. That is often the case in a head-on accident. Other times, the direction is not specific, like in a parking lot. If the street is not a divided highway, both parties may claim that the other one was the one who went the wrong way. A case that should be clear-cut can quickly become a matter of who appears more believable.
Fortunately, attorneys who handle Pensacola front-end car accidents can access expert resources. They can examine evidence from the crash scene to determine who was responsible. Witness statements, photos and video footage, and police reports can help identify who veered into the wrong lane. Legal professionals may also consult with accident reconstruction specialists—who work backward from the wreckage photos—to create the circumstances of the accident.
With this evidence, the team of skilled auto accident attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon could build a strong case on an injured person’s behalf.
Driving while intoxicated and distracted driving can both lead to front-end wrecks. However, sometimes external factors make head-on wrecks more likely, such as bad weather, construction, or anything that reduces a driver’s visibility. Drivers who notice these conditions should be careful to drive more defensively. When visibility is poor, construction leads to detours, or driving in a tourist-heavy area, assume that people will make mistakes. Being on the lookout for them can reduce the chances of an accident or help a driver minimize the injuries if an accident is unavoidable.
These contributing factors also make a difference when a factfinder is determining fault. A well-practiced Pensacola lawyer who handles front-end car accidents could explain how and why these factors might impact fault determination.
Florida Statutes § 768.81 covers comparative fault. It provides that a wrongdoer can still recover from an accident, as long as they were not the one who had the majority of the responsibility. Their recovery is proportional to the other party’s responsibility.
Comparative negligence is a critical concept when looking at head-on collisions. If a person turns the wrong way down a street, oncoming traffic may be able to avoid them. If someone could prevent the crash but does not, they may share the blame. Generally, the person going the wrong way will be at fault. However, there are some instances—such as speeding or distracted driving—where a factfinder might determine that the other person had more responsibility.
In such instances, an attorney handling front-end car accidents in Pensacola must carefully examine which party is to blame. Who demonstrated negligent behavior, and how much did that negligence contribute to the accident? Knowing this information will allow a legal professional to assess the fairness of any settlement offers.
Head-on wrecks are rare but often lead to severe injuries and death. Finding legal representation may be necessary to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. To learn more about your rights and responsibilities, schedule a consultation with a lawyer who has experience litigating front-end car accidents in Pensacola. They could review the facts with you and advise you regarding your next steps.