(150+)Head-on car accidents often result in severe injuries and substantial losses, leaving victims and their families vulnerable to combative insurance companies.
With the help of our experienced Greenville head-on car accident attorney, you can focus on recovering from your injuries or grieving loss, while we protect your right to compensation.
Attorney Angela Frazier is a proven courtroom fighter who offers tenacious representation to every car accident case she takes on. Our team wants to learn about your head-on car accident case and take on who you’re up against. Contact our firm to speak to our Greenville car accident attorney.
What Is the Role of an Attorney in a Head-On Collision?
The responsibility of a head-on car accident lawyer will vary slightly from case to case, based on the unique circumstances of the claim. However, essential responsibilities include:
- Collecting evidence, such as police reports, witness testimonies, medical records and photographs, to build a strong case
- Determining the full extent of injuries and losses to ensure the compensation sought covers everything
- Actively engaging with insurance adjusters, aiming to secure a fair settlement without the need for litigation
- Preparing and filing a lawsuit if attempts to settle fail
- Offering legal advice and ensuring you understand your rights and the implications of any decisions made
A head-on car accident claim can be straightforward, but it may be complex when there are multiple parties and insurance companies involved, all seeking to limit their share of responsibility. Having a legal representative like Angela Frazier who knows how to navigate demanding cases betters your chance of receiving full compensation.
Who Is Liable for a Head-On Collision?
Determining liability in a head-on collision requires carefully analyzing the accident’s circumstances. Typically, the driver who deviated from their lane or drove on the wrong side of the road is at fault. However, insurance companies may argue both parties share liability.
External factors, such as poor road conditions, malfunctioning traffic signals or vehicle defects, may shift or spread the liability. Witnesses, surveillance footage, police reports and expert testimonies may play critical roles in establishing fault. Our experienced Greenville head-on car accident attorney will investigate the accident independently to determine the cause and where to distribute fault.
What Damages Can You Recover From a Head-On Car Accident Lawsuit?
A settlement for a head-on car accident consists of economic and non-economic damages. The exact types of damages available from your accident will depend on several unique circumstances, contingent on factors like the severity of the crash. Head-on collisions often produce extensive physical, emotional and financial losses.
Compensatory damages
The most common forms of compensatory damages from a car accident case include:
- The medical expenses accumulated from treatment for your injuries, including any ongoing treatments or rehabilitative care
- The cost of replacing your vehicle, since head-on crashes often result in irreparable damage
- The loss of income from missing work during recovery or loss of earning capacity when injuries result in permanent disability
- The physical and emotional pain and suffering endured from injuries and necessary medical treatment
- The loss of consortium or companionship if your injuries directly impact your spousal or partner relationship
Valuing the non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, can be complex. A Greenville head-on car accident attorney will ensure you request fair compensation for those losses.
Punitive damages
When the at-fault party in your case completely disregards the safety of others, amounting to gross negligence, the court may order them to pay punitive damages in addition to the compensatory damages they owe. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or recklessly speeding may constitute gross negligence. In that case, the court may punish the defendant(s) further for their actions.
What South Carolina Laws Can Impact a Car Accident Case?
The statute of limitations and the comparative fault rule are significant laws impacting car accident cases.
In South Carolina, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit to recover your losses and hold the at-fault party responsible through the court system. Ideally, your attorney will negotiate a settlement without needing to file a lawsuit that can be affected by these time constraints. However, acting quickly ensures you have adequate time to use that option if necessary.
The modified comparative fault rule applies in cases of shared fault. In practice, the court determines a percentage of fault for both parties. They then reduce the value of damages you can receive by an amount equal to your percentage of fault. In South Carolina, you can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for the head-on accident.
Do You Need a Head-On Car Accident Lawyer?
If you suffered severe injuries or lost a loved one in a head-on crash in Greenville, you benefit from consulting a car accident attorney about the details of your case. Building a case can be overwhelming, especially for someone in the healing process. You can rely on lawyer Angela Frazier and her legal team at Elliott Frazier Family, Personal Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, LLC to represent your best interests at every stage of your case. We work hard to ensure that your settlement or court award grants you what you need to restore your life or adapt to a new one. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.
