Front-end car accidents, also known as head-on collisions, are one of the rarer types of car accidents. When they do happen, though, they are unfortunately often fatal.
A front-end car accident occurs when the front of one vehicle hits the front of another vehicle. The cause is typically that one driver was trying to pass another and did not check to ensure the oncoming traffic lane was clear. They also often happen when one of the drivers is drunk and moves into that same lane.
Any car accident case can be complicated if one of the drivers wishes to file a lawsuit. Due to the severity of front-end car accidents, these cases are some of the most complex cases a seasoned car collision attorney may take on. If you were injured in a front-end car wreck, you may benefit from speaking to an experienced Chicago front-end car accident lawyer who could help you with their case.
Filing a Lawsuit
Although front-end car accidents are typically more severe than other types, the basis for filing a lawsuit remains the same as that for other kinds of car accidents. In order to do so, the person filing—known as the plaintiff—must have sustained serious injuries and be able to prove that another driver’s negligence directly caused those injuries.
In a legal context, negligence refers to when someone does not behave in a reasonable manner to keep others around them safe. It is almost always a factor in any civil car accident case. However, since accident victims may not know exactly what happened leading up to the crash, proving negligence can sometimes be difficult.
The defendant in such a case may claim the accident was not entirely their fault—or that it was not their fault at all—in order to avoid paying compensation. A front-end car accident lawyer in Chicago could start an investigation that includes collecting medical documents, speaking to eyewitnesses, and examining the scene of the accident to refute those claims and determine negligence.
Front-End Car Accidents Involving Larger Vehicles
While all front-end car accidents are serious, those involving large vehicles such as commercial tractor-trailers are often the most severe—so severe, in fact, that Chicago courts typically rely on the legal concept of prima facie when seeking evidence of negligence in such cases.
Under prima facie, if a commercial driver disobeyed a traffic law such as speeding or driving aggressively, the court would consider this negligent behavior in the absence of other evidence. If there is plenty of other evidence, the facts would be argued in court to determine negligence in the case.
Fatal Front-End Car Crashes
Because front-end car accidents are so severe, they can end up being fatal for one of the drivers. When the other driver is at fault and a life is lost, the family members of the deceased may wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Potential compensation in a wrongful death claim may include loss of companionship, loss of financial and non-financial contributions to the household, and the cost of counseling for emotional trauma suffered by loved ones. Other costs, such as funeral and burial expenses, may also be claimed in a wrongful death claim, but any awarded compensation for them would go directly to the estate.
Contacting a Chicago Front-End Car Accident Attorney
Any time you are in a car accident and want to seek compensation, you should speak to an attorney for help reviewing your case. In the event of a front-end car accident, this can be especially important, as these are often complicated cases involving severe injuries.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a head-on auto crash, consider speaking to a Chicago front-end car accident lawyer about your case. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and a skilled attorney could give you your best chance at getting it.