Scottsdale Head-On Collision Attorney

While every car accident has the capacity to be catastrophic, head-on collisions are viewed as some of the most consistently severe motor vehicle collisions. While they occur less often than other types of crashes, head-on car accidents contribute to a higher number of catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Victims who are involved in head-on collisions often require expensive medical treatments for long periods of time. These accidents also cause lost wages, property damage, and significant pain and suffering. At Stone Rose Law, our head-on collision attorneys in Scottsdale have years of experience representing severely injured clients and their families.

Our personal injury lawyers will work tirelessly on your behalf to collect the financial compensation that you deserve for a serious car crash. We will help you secure justice and move forward with your life. Contact us today for a free car accident case review.

Why Choose Us?

• Our passion for justice yields outstanding results for our car accident clients. We have collected millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for past clients. This includes many successful motor vehicle accident cases.
• We are prepared to fight for you when going up against powerful defendants in Scottsdale, including car insurance companies, trucking companies and legal teams – even if this means taking your case to trial in Maricopa County.
• We accept car accident cases in Scottsdale on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay us anything upfront for our services. You will only pay attorney’s fees if you win financial compensation for your case.

Common Injuries in Head-On Collisions

A head-on collision is a car accident where the front of two vehicles collide with each other. The speed of a head-on collision is calculated by combining the speeds of both vehicles. If one car is traveling 50 miles per hour and the other is going 60, for example, the speed of the crash is 110 miles per hour. This, combined with the fact that the point of impact is in close proximity to both drivers, can result in devastating injuries. Common examples include:

• Broken bones. The force of the collision can cause bone fractures anywhere in the body, including the face, skull, collarbone, ribs, arms, spinal cord, pelvis and lower extremities.
• Traumatic brain injury. If a victim strikes his or her head on something in the accident, it could cause trauma to the brain. These injuries can result in permanent brain damage.
• Whiplash. The motion of the vehicle can force a victim’s head and neck quickly back and forth or side to side, causing muscle or soft-tissue damage in the neck that is known as whiplash.
• Back and spinal cord injuries. A victim’s spinal cord could be crushed, compressed, flexed, overextended, fractured, severed or concussed in a head-on collision. A severe spine injury could lead to permanent paralysis or death.
• Lacerations and scarring. Contact with twisted metal, shrapnel, broken glass and asphalt could cause severe lacerations that may leave permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Wrongful death. Sadly, many head-on collisions in Arizona are fatal. If one of your loved ones passed away in a deadly head-on collision, your family may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim in Scottsdale.

One of the reasons it is important to work with a car accident lawyer after a head-on collision is that the extent of the injuries is often severe. Insurance companies do not want to pay large settlements even if a claimant has suffered life-altering injuries. An attorney, on the other hand, wants you to obtain the highest possible settlement or judgment award. Our lawyers at Stone Rose Law can help you seek maximum financial compensation for major injuries.

What Causes Head-On Collisions in Arizona?

The vast majority of car accidents that injure and kill victims in Arizona are caused by negligence. In personal injury law, negligence refers to the failure to exercise ordinary care. There are many examples of negligence and human errors that can lead to deadly head-on collisions, including:

• Driver fatigue. A drowsy or fatigued driver may fall asleep behind the wheel and drift out of his or her lane, causing a head-on collision with a vehicle on the opposite side of the road. Drowsy driving is especially common among long-haul commercial drivers and night-shift drivers.
• Driving under the influence. Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol can result in the driver losing control of the car and traveling into the opposite lane. A drunk driver is also more likely to speed, break traffic laws and drive the wrong way.
• Distracted driving. A distracted driver may not notice that he or she is entering a one-way road from the wrong direction or drifting out of his or her lane. Driver distraction can also result in red-light running and head-on collisions in intersections.
• Faulty traffic signals. If a traffic signal is faulty or malfunctioning and shows the wrong color light, two drivers may proceed into an intersection at the same time. Other road hazards and poor conditions can also cause head-on collisions, including potholes, broken guardrails and missing reflectors. 
• Collateral accidents. In a multi-vehicle collision, the initial accident could send the vehicles involved into surrounding lanes of oncoming traffic. This is called a collateral accident. Similarly, one driver may force another driver to veer into oncoming traffic to avoid a crash (a no-contact accident).

Identifying the cause of your head-on collision is one of the first steps of the recovery process. If you are not sure how or why your collision happened, an attorney can help. A law firm has investigators and resources to determine the cause of your crash. From there, a lawyer can identify the defendant(s) and help you pursue fair compensation from one or more insurance companies. 

Who Pays for an Arizona Car Accident?

There are fault and no-fault car insurance laws. Most states, including Arizona, use a fault law. Under this law, the party at fault for a car accident must pay for the crash, typically through his or her automobile insurance. All drivers in Arizona are required to carry at least the following amounts of liability car insurance:

• Bodily injury per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury per accident: $50,000
• Property damage: $15,000

After a head-on collision, the person or party that caused the crash is who is financially responsible (liable) for your medical bills and losses. It is possible to name multiple defendants in your car accident case, such as the other driver and the government for a road defect. An attorney at Stone Rose Law can help you determine liability in your claim.

How to Prove Fault for a Head-On Collision

As the plaintiff, it is your burden to prove fault. You must provide clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is more likely than not responsible for the crash. For example, you must have evidence proving that the other driver was drunk or distracted and that this was the proximate cause of the head-on collision. An attorney can help you gather evidence to prove your case, such as:

• A copy of your police report
• Photographs and videos
• Statements from eyewitnesses
• Expert witness testimony
• Crash reconstruction evidence
• Medical records and receipts
• Proof of your losses

If you get into a head-on collision with an on-duty employee of a company, such as a commercial driver or delivery person, you may also have employment records and driving histories to use as evidence. Our Scottsdale truck accident lawyers can conduct a comprehensive investigation of your head-on collision on your behalf to search for evidence against a driver or another defendant.

How Much Is the Average Settlement in a Head-On Collision Case?

If you wish to file a car accident claim in Arizona, it’s important not to assume there is an average settlement amount. This is a dangerous assumption, as it could lead to accepting much less than you deserve for your head-on collision from an insurance company. There is no such thing as an average car accident settlement amount. This is because each case is entirely unique. One case could be worth significantly more than another case, even if it is the same type of car accident or injury. The damages available in a car accident lawsuit in Scottsdale include:

• Medical expenses (present and future)
• Losses of income and future earning capacity
• Disability accommodations
• Vehicle damage repairs or replacement
• Out-of-pocket costs, such as travel
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Lost quality of life
• Death benefits

A settlement or judgment award for a head-on collision is carefully calculated only after an in-depth review of the victim’s case and losses. Many different factors could affect the value of your case, such as the severity of your injuries and your age. Since head-on collisions are often catastrophic, this means they are frequently worth more than minor car accident cases. You could receive several thousand dollars or over $1 million depending on the case. The best way to understand the value of your lawsuit is by consulting with an attorney.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?

Hiring a lawyer to represent your rights and interests after a head-on collision can come with many benefits. A lawyer knows exactly how the car accident claims process works in Arizona. Your lawyer will also have connections to judges, courts and crash experts. Your lawyer will investigate your accident, preserve and collect evidence to build a strong claim on your behalf, take care of confusing legal paperwork, negotiate with a car insurance company, hire qualified experts, and represent you during a car accident trial in Maricopa County, if necessary. In the meantime, you can relax and focus on your recovery with peace of mind.

What to Do After a Head-On Collision in Scottsdale

If you get into a head-on collision in Scottsdale, you may be dealing with pain, stress and confusion. It is to your advantage to stay calm as much as possible, and to take the following steps:

1. Check yourself and others involved in the crash for injuries.
2. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request help for injured victims.
3. If you are injured, try to restrict your movements until paramedics arrive (especially if you feel back pain).
4. If you can, exchange information with the other driver and eyewitnesses.
5. Take photographs while still at the crash scene (or have someone take pictures for you).
6. Speak to the police to give them your version of events. Ask for your police report number.
7. Go to a hospital in Scottsdale immediately for medical attention.
8. Gather information and documents about the accident, including medical records.
9. Call the other driver’s car insurance company to start your car accident claim. 
10. Consult with an attorney in Scottsdale before accepting an insurance settlement.

Once you involve a lawyer, he or she can give you advice about what to do next. Working with an attorney can ensure that you take proper steps to recover compensation and don’t make any mistakes that could hurt your claim.

What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Head-On Collision Claim?

According to Arizona Revised Statute 12-542 (the statute of limitations), a claim for injuries must be commenced no more than two years from the date that the cause of action accrues. This means that you have a time limit of two years from the date of your head-on collision to bring a related personal injury or property damage claim. 

There are some exceptions to this statute of limitations, however, such as an extension for minors, who have two years from their 18th birthday. Consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible after your head-on collision to avoid missing the deadline, as this will generally bar you from financial recovery.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ for Free Today at Stone Rose Law

At Stone Rose Law, our car accident attorneys have years of experience and legal knowledge to put toward winning your head-on collision case. We have a long track record of helping clients move forward with the financial compensation that they deserve. We will leverage our expertise and resources to make sure you have everything you need as the victim of a head-on collision. 

Our attorneys will demand justice on your behalf – and won’t stop until we’ve done everything that we can for you. If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on collision in Scottsdale, Arizona or the surrounding cities, don’t hesitate to contact Stone Rose Law to request a free case consultation. Call (480) 498-8998 today to discuss your case with one of our friendly and knowledgeable car accident attorneys.