Illinois Head-on Collision Lawyers

Compensation After a Head-on Accident

If someone else caused the head-on crash in Illinois, you could demand compensation. Recovering a settlement or court award isn’t always easy. As the person bringing the claim, you’re responsible for proving the other driver’s negligence and your injuries. Working with an Illinois car accident attorney may be the best way to prepare and build a strong case.

If you can prove negligence, you may win compensation for your past and future:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Reduced earning potential
• Lower quality of life
• Loss of consortium (personal relationships)

How Much Is My Head-on Accident Claim Worth?

Many head-on crash victims call us and want to know what their case is worth. As much as we would like to give you an exact number, too many factors affect compensation.

We highly recommend you don’t accept a settlement offer right away. It often takes months for us to know what a case is worth. A quick settlement offer in the weeks after the crash is probably less than you deserve. If you accept it, you might not have enough to cover future medical care and lost wages.

We Recommend a Thorough Evaluation

Evaluating your head-on accident claim takes time and a thorough investigation. You may need weeks or months for your injuries to heal and for you to feel better. Your doctors will have a better understanding of your prognosis over time. As your accident lawyers, we want to be sure that we accurately assess your financial needs now and in the future.

Only after you have a thorough understanding of you or your loved one’s injuries would we recommend negotiating a settlement. That gives us time to evaluate your future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Who Is Liable for Head-on Accident Injuries?

It’s up to you to bring a claim and demand compensation. You’ll have to prove the other driver was at fault. This is a huge task that is even more challenging when you are seriously injured or helping an injured loved one.

An Illinois car accident lawyer can help by immediately investigating the crash. We gather evidence, including:

• The police report
• Photos of the crash scene
• Any surveillance, traffic, or dash camera footage
• Witness statements
• An accident reconstruction expert’s opinion

It often helps to hire an accident reconstructionist to create a 2D or 3D model of what happened. They also can calculate essential facts, such as vehicle speed. We’ll use this evidence to prove liability against the other driver.

Is the Other Driver Blaming You?

It’s not uncommon for the other driver to point the finger at you or your loved one. A good way to fight back is to hire an Illinois head-on accident lawyer. Don’t try to argue with the insurance company yourself. You won’t get far against experienced adjusters and lawyers.

Our head-on collision lawyers know how to investigate and build a strong case. We’re prepared for this kind of allegation and even for the insurance company to deny your initial claim. We know what to do next.

You Can Collect Damages Even if You Share Fault

Illinois has a modified comparative fault rule. You can still collect compensation if you are found liable for 50% or less than the other party. Your percentage of fault will reduce your final compensation, but you can still recover damages.

What if the Head-on Collision Was Fatal?

If you lost a relative in a head-on crash, talk with us right away. We’ll explain Illinois’ wrongful death law and who has the right to demand compensation. If you’re a surviving spouse, child, or parent of the deceased, then you may be entitled to wrongful death damages. If your loved one didn’t leave behind a spouse or children, then their siblings might be entitled to compensation.

We understand filing a lawsuit won’t bring your loved one back. We can help you recover damages to ease the financial loss of your loved one’s demise.

Traumatic Brain Injuries in Head-on Crashes

Head-on crashes often cause severe head injuries. The force of the collision causes a person’s head to whip back and forth quickly, leading to whiplash and a concussion. The movement also can cause a more significant traumatic brain injury.

If the driver or passenger hits their head on an object, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, window, or an object in the vehicle, they can suffer a skull fracture, penetrating brain injury, and TBI.

Huge Costs from TBIs

There are three levels of TBI: mild, moderate, and severe. Doctors diagnose a TBI by measuring a person’s eye-opening, verbal, and motor responses. Severe TBIs can cause coma, vegetative state, and death.

TBIs can lead to long-term and permanent disabilities, mental health conditions, and personality changes. Many TBI victims need lifelong care, which is a financial burden for most families. You should not have to shoulder this cost when another person is at fault. You deserve help from a lawyer who understands how a head-on crash affects you and your loved ones.

Other Severe Injuries in Head-on Accidents

A driver or passenger in a head-on accident in Illinois can sustain many types of injuries, including:

• Broken bones
• Neck and back injuries
• Crush injuries and amputation
• Lacerations and disfigurement
• Dental injuries and lost teeth
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

It’s rare for someone to walk away from a head-on crash without injuries. Through our years of experience, we’ve seen many victims with serious injuries require surgeries, medications, and physical rehabilitation.

Speed Increases Head-on Collision Injuries

Today’s vehicles have many safety features, including seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes. The average car has at least six airbags to protect the driver and passengers. Though these safety features can minimize the consequences of a crash, head-on accidents can still be devastating and deadly.

Speed is a factor in head-on collision injuries. The faster the two vehicles were moving, the greater the chance of severe injuries or death.

Researchers at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety found that higher speeds cause more structural damage to cars and test dummies to the point of canceling out the benefits of safety features, like seat belts and airbags. If two vehicles go at least 56 miles per hour in a head-on crash, occupants are at greater risk for brain, neck, and leg injuries.

Call an Illinois Head On Car Accident Lawyer for Help

Our head-on accident lawyers in Chicago understand the importance of winning every penny you deserve. It isn’t just about your medical expenses and lost wages. It’s also about what you’ve endured: the trauma of the accident, your physical pain and suffering, the inconvenience, and your emotional distress.

Let us help you and your loved ones through the aftermath of a head-on collision.

Call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today for a free, no-risk case evaluation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and talk about what comes next. Call (312) 236-2900 or use our online form.