In terms of the physical force generated by the impact, two cars traveling at 30 miles per hour crashing front-first into each other is equivalent to one car traveling at 60 miles per hour driving front-first into a wall. Thus, even front-end car accidents in Palatine that occur at relatively low speeds have the potential to cause devastating and potentially life-threatening harm to just about everyone involved.
While compensation alone may not make up for every injury and loss you suffered from a wreck like this, demanding fair payments from the person responsible can still be key to protecting your best interests in the long term. Our seasoned auto collision attorneys at The Kryder Law Group know exactly how traumatic accidents of this nature can be through years of experience with similar claims, and we could work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure your case has the best possible resolution for you.
Common Causes of Head-On Car Crashes
Because they require two or more cars to be traveling in opposite directions and parallel to each other, front-end car crashes in Palatine and throughout Illinois tend to happen most frequently on two-lane rural roads and in intersections—particularly ones where one of the intersecting roads is a one-way street. Distracted driving and drunk driving are both especially common culprits for this type of wreck. Still, anything from traffic violations to bad weather to unexpected mechanical failures could potentially lead to two cars crashing into each other head-on.
Regardless of the exact circumstances before and during a front-end car crash, though, the important thing for civil lawsuits built around these wrecks is establishing that one person involved was primarily or entirely to blame based on their own legal “negligence.” Both overtly illegal and simply irresponsible actions qualify as “breaches” of the duty all drivers have to act lawfully and rationally behind the wheel. Our skilled car accident lawyers could provide vital assistance with identifying the specific reckless or careless act that led to your crash and subsequent injury.
Getting Paid Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
A successful settlement demand or lawsuit over a front-end auto accident in Palatine can seek payments for both economic and non-economic, past and future losses stemming from the wreck, potentially including:
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Physical pain, discomfort, and suffering
- Lost work income, benefits, or long-term earning capacity
- Lost enjoyment of life, including lost consortium if applicable
- Car repair/replacement costs not covered by insurance, plus other forms of personal injury damage
- Medical bills not covered by insurance, including expected costs of future rehabilitative care, assistive equipment like wheelchairs, and disability accommodations like home modifications and in-home assistance
Even if a car crash results in life-altering injuries, though, 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes § 5/13-202 typically gives people injured by the negligence of another just two years at most after initially sustaining harm to begin any lawsuit they ever intend to file over that incident, so time is of the essence after getting hurt in a head-on wreck.
Contact a Palatine Attorney for Help With a Front-End Car Accident Case
In the aftermath of a head-on car crash, adding civil litigation to your plate may understandably be the last thing on your mind compared to dealing with your injuries and the financial and personal losses they have caused you. That said, proactively enforcing your legal right to recovery can be essential to mitigating those losses and minimizing the impact this incident has on your life.
Help is available throughout your legal proceedings from our dedicated and dependable auto accident lawyers. Call The Kryder Law Group today to discuss your options following a front-end car accident in Palatine.