Life-Altering Injuries in Head-On Wrecks
Any car crash could cause severe injuries, but according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 60 percent of vehicle occupant deaths result from head-on collisions. People who survive these wrecks often suffer life-changing, permanent injuries.
When two vehicles collide at a high speed, one or both vehicles might overturn or even become airborne. The front ends of the vehicles might collapse or the front of one vehicle might penetrate the other. The force of the collision, as well as shrapnel and sharp metal infiltrating the passenger cabin, combine to create a situation that can cause devastating damage.
Survivors of frontal vehicle accidents might suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or both. In the worst-case scenarios these injuries could leave a person permanently disabled and unable to live independently. Traumatic amputations are also common in these types of accidents. Head-on collisions also could cause damage to the internal organs, fractures, abrasions, and burns.
Recovery from such serious injuries could take months or even years, and full recovery might not be possible. A compassionate front-end crash attorney in Lancaster could help an injured person and their family make a realistic assessment of their losses and ensure that they receive fair and appropriate compensation.
Available Damages and Insurance Coverage
Pennsylvania is a hybrid jurisdiction in cases involving car insurance. Drivers could participate in the traditional fault system by purchasing full tort coverage, which allows them to seek all their damages from an at-fault driver’s insurer in the event of an accident. They also have the option to buy less expensive limited tort coverage, which would require them to look to their own insurer to cover their out-of-pocket expenses, regardless of fault.
If a person injured in a front-end vehicle wreck was a driver with limited tort coverage, an attorney at McDonald At Law could negotiate with their insurer to secure them a fair settlement for their injury-related costs. These might include:
- Expense of modifying a home or car to accommodate an injury
- Cost of hiring household help with tasks the injured person is unable to perform
- Incidental expenses associated with seeking medical treatment
- Projected costs of future necessary medical treatment
- Lost time at work
- Diminished future earnings opportunities
An injured person with full tort coverage might seek the above damages, but they also could be entitled to compensation for the intangible losses associated with the injury, such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, embarrassment and humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Exceptions to Limited Tort Coverage
Limited tort coverage does not mean an injured person is always prevented from seeking recourse in the courts or pursuing non-economic damages. The insurance policy details certain severe injuries that allow an injured person freedom from the restrictions of limited tort coverage.
In addition, the Commonwealth’s insurance law defined in 75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §1705 provides some exceptions to the rule barring limited tort policy holders from suing at-fault drivers or seeking damages for their intangible losses.
For example, if the injured person was walking, running, or cycling when the accident occurred, they come within one of the law’s exceptions. Other exceptions are occupants of non-private vehicles, people who were hit by someone driving under the influence, people in accidents with uninsured drivers or out-of-state vehicles, and others. An experienced Lancaster attorney could evaluate the circumstances of a front-end crash to determine whether one of the exceptions might apply in a particular case.
Seek a Lancaster Attorney to Handle Your Head-On Car Accident Claim
The laws surrounding front-end car accidents hinge on insurance coverage and fault. You will likely need a legal professional to take on your case who can help you achieve all of the financial compensation you deserve.
A Lancaster front-end car accident lawyer has the skills to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf and could ensure that you are not intimidated by the insurance company’s lawyers. Schedule a consultation as soon as possible after your crash to learn more about your legal options.
