Arlington Head-On Collision Lawyer

A head-on collision is when the front of two vehicles strike each other, either directly or slightly off-center. There are varieties of ways that a head-on collision can occur, including when one driver or both are not paying attention to the road, when drivers are unfamiliar with the road markings and road divisions, or when one or more of the parties makes an improper turn.

It is also common for head-on collisions to occur on two-lane roads when a driver crosses the center yellow line and cause an accident. Regardless of how a collision occurs, however, if you have been involved in a head-on collision due to a negligent person, it is important that you contact an Arlington head-on collision lawyer to begin mounting a case to help ensure a positive outcome. An experienced car accident attorney can assist in preparing an individual for what to expect and guiding them through the claims process.

Severity of a Collision

Head-on collisions are generally considered one of the most dangerous types of accidents that an automobile driver can be involved with. Most vehicles carry most of their weight in the front, including the engine and other important parts.

Also, the driver compartment is near the front of the vehicle, which makes them especially susceptible to injury. Therefore, if two vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed strike in a head-on manner, the vehicle and passengers will typically incur significant damages.

Head-on collisions are more likely to occur at intersections with unusual markings such as yields or blinking lights, as well as on two-lane roads where a party may cross the center line.

Determining Fault

It is often difficult to determine fault in a head-on collision case. Typically, the officer arriving at the scene must investigate and try to determine what happened. They will rely on their training, witness statements of the parties involved, as well as statements from independent witnesses. Through these assessments, if the officer is able to ascertain what occurred, they may assign fault to one party in the report.

Apart from the officer’s report, an insurance company will analyze the case and determine who they believe to be at fault. Simply because the insurance company determines fault at the initial stage does not mean those conclusions will remain throughout the life of the case. An individual should consequently consult with an Arlington head-on collision lawyer before speaking with an insurance company about the matter.

Often, head-on collision cases have elements of contributory negligence to determine who is at fault. This is often complicated, as the collision happens quickly and, due to the nature of the injuries, the parties may not remember exactly how the accident happened.

Contributory Negligence

Because Virginia is a contributory negligence state, if one party is even one percent at fault, they may be legally barred from making a recovery. In this vein, the contributory negligence doctrine is used heavily in head-on accident cases because it is difficult to determine who exactly is at fault, in what ways, and to what degree the other party’s driving behavior may or may not have contributed to the accident.

In a head-on collision case, for example, when one party has the right of way but the other party fails to avoid the collision, it may be difficult to determine who is at fault. Or, if one party is primarily responsible for crossing the other line, and the other party was texting and failed to yield, both parties may be at fault by different percentages.

There are a lot of complicated issues that may arise in a contributory negligence case related head-on collision matter that can be most effectively understood using a knowledgeable Arlington head-on collision lawyer.