Head-on collisions are often serious. If you or a loved one were victims, you must know your rights. Our head-on collision lawyers in Columbus can determine who is at fault and what type of settlement you deserve.
At John Foy & Associates, we have 20-plus years of experience with these types of cases. You can get the power of the “Strong Arm” by contacting us today. Our tenacity has led to more than $1 billion in results for our clients. To get a free consultation with our experienced car accident lawyers in Columbus, call or contact us online.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Head-On Collision?
A settlement average wouldn’t tell you much since every accident is different. Your compensation should depend on your injuries and other losses. One victim’s damages can be widely different from the next. However, if you work with a Columbus personal injury lawyer, you are more likely to receive a higher compensation.
For example, one of our cases involving a head-on with a car carrier trailer resulted in a $2.7 million verdict.
What matters is what the accident has taken from you. Our team can outline what that means for your recovery.
Recovering Money for Pain and Suffering
There are two main categories of damages. The first is special damages like medical bills and lost wages. The second is general damages like pain and suffering.
Severe injuries from head-on collisions can lead to significant pain and suffering damages.
Besides recovery for your financial costs, you might also deserve money for pain and suffering.
Our lawyers can determine what you might expect for your pain and suffering.
Making Sure Your Offer Is Good
Do not accept money until you know that it’s a fair offer.
How do you know if an offer is good? Well, it depends.
You’ll need to evaluate the severity of your injuries and damages. Then, you’ll need to determine the lowest you’re willing to accept. Many settlement agreements happen after a lot of negotiation.
According to Injury Facts, head-on collisions caused nearly 5,000 deaths and over 250,000 injuries in 2018. The nature of head-on accidents (two vehicles hitting each other from the front) make them serious in most cases. Don’t downplay your damages, and speak to a lawyer to know what’s fair for you.
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How Long do You Have to Contact a Lawyer?
You have two years to pursue legal action after an accident, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33. Some cases allow even less time.
However, it’s best to contact a lawyer much earlier. Your lawyer will need time to investigate the accident and build a claim.
The clock starts ticking from the moment of your accident, so don’t wait. Contact an attorney today to learn your options.
At John Foy & Associates, we start with a free consultation, so there’s no risk for you. You also pay nothing unless we win you money. To get your free consultation today, call or contact us online.
Can You Settle a Claim without a Lawyer?
You can handle your case without a lawyer. But it’s rarely recommended.
Building an accident claim takes time and work. You’ll need to:
- Evaluate your total damages
- Speak to the insurance adjuster
- Prepare the demand letter
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Prepare for court (if necessary)
Each step takes work, and it’s challenging without legal expertise. Again, while you can represent yourself after an accident, it’s seldom a good idea.
Head-on collisions are usually serious accidents. Settling without a lawyer is possible for some minor claims, but that rarely includes head-on crashes.
A lawyer brings extensive education and experience to the table. They know how to negotiate for the best compensation possible. A lawyer in Columbus can usually help speed up the process, too.
Six Ways to Maximum Your Settlement
Nothing is guaranteed after an accident, but there are things you can do to maximize your potential settlement.
Here are some steps we recommend you take.
1. Get Medical Treatment
Always see a doctor after an accident. Even if you feel okay right after, you should get medical attention.
If you wait to get treatment, it can hurt your compensation. The insurance company will wonder why you waited so long. The adjuster might even claim you were at the doctor for reasons unrelated to your accident.
2. Collect Evidence
Save as much evidence from the accident as possible.
After the accident, you can:
- Take pictures of your injuries
- Photograph the entire accident scene
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses
- Save all medical bills
- Get copies of the police report and your medical records
The more evidence you gather, the better chance you have of winning fair compensation. You will need proof of everything to include in your claim.
3. Consider All Damages
A head-on collision can result in many types of damages. You could have out-of-pocket costs as well as emotional injuries.
Consider both current and future losses. For example, many accident injuries require long-term medical care.
Your lawyer can help determine all of your damages. That might include working with medical professionals to calculate your future costs.
4. Avoid Talking About the Accident
It’s best not to speak about the crash with anyone but your lawyer. That includes posting about the accident on social media.
Anything you say about the collision could be used against you later. Talk to your lawyer about what happened, then let them handle the rest. Avoid discussing the details publicly or with the insurance company.
5. Don’t Accept the First Offer
You might be tempted to accept a quick settlement offer. Unfortunately, this is where many insurance companies take advantage of victims.
They hope the victim will take the first offer and move on. But that can leave you paying out-of-pocket for damages you didn’t cause.
Never accept the first offer without speaking to a lawyer first.
6. Don’t Wait to Take Action
You have limited time to bring your case. Speak with a lawyer today, and focus on preserving evidence. The sooner you can get started, the better it will be for your legal rights.
Talk to a Columbus Head-On Collision Lawyer for Free Today
Contact John Foy & Associates today for a free, no-risk consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call for your free consultation. You can also fill out one of our online contact forms.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form