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Head-On Accidents

Chicago Head On Collision Lawyer

A head-on collision is one of the most serious types of car accidents. As skilled Chicago injury lawyers we have handled many cases involving head-on accidents. The injuries sustained in a head-on collision can be catastrophic or can result in death. Most of the time, head-on collisions are unavoidable, happening so fast that there is nothing you can do to avoid it. Typically a head on collision occurs because a driver has crossed over the median or a lane of traffic. The causes can be varied. Often, it could be because one of the drivers was distracted, using a cell-phone or texting on their phone, falling asleep at the wheel, driving while intoxication or under the influence of drugs.

If you are the driver or a passenger in a car that is hit head-on, it is usually at a higher rate of speed and often terrifying. Your body can move violently in the car, often lunge forward and back quickly, cause catastrophic injuries. These injuries could be to the head, neck, shoulder and torso. It is common to suffer serious fractures of the legs and arms during a head-on collision. In today's driving world, all cars are equipped with air bags. When a head-on collision occurs, the airbags in your vehicle will typically go off. As experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers know, airbags can prevent or lessen some types of injuries or prevent death. In some cases individuals are injured from the force of the airbag. Motor vehicle accidents can cause many types of injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, fractures and burns. Many of the motor vehicle accident cases we handle include:

Never accept an insurance settlement without talking to an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer first. In most head-on collisions, the driver in the vehicle that crossed into the wrong lane or way of traffic is found to be at fault for the collision. If this is the case the driver's insurance company may act quickly to offer you a settlement. The settlement may appear to be a large sum of money. Many accident victims will be tempted to take the settlement and avoid contacting an attorney. If you accept the settlement, you will be forfeiting your right to seek future compensation. Many accidents victims don't do realize that their injuries can be more serious than they appear, requiring additional treatment or surgery. It is our experience that most serious injury cases end up having a lawsuit filed. That is typically the only way to force the insurance company to be fair and fully compensation the accident victim who is seriously injured or the family of someone who has died in a head-on collision.

Take the time to meet with an experienced Chicago injury attorney for a free consultation. They can explain the insurance claims process in Illinois. They can also help you determine the value of the case. Passengers involved in a head-on collision have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. A law suit can be filed even when the driver of their car is found at fault. In most accidents where the head-on collision was caused by the driver of the vehicle they were a passenger in, the injured passengers know the driver personally. Therefore, there is often hesitation or reluctance to pursue a lawsuit against a friend or family member. Don't forget that most personal injury cases are cases where they driver had liability insurance. In fact, Illinois law requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. The driver had insurance, so there is no reason not to collect it if you are injured and the driver was at-fault.

Chicago injury lawyers at Nemeroff Law Offices use the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code and violations of it to establish the negligence of the at-fault driver in accidents. Provisions of the Code that apply to head-on accidents include:

Failed to yield the right-of-way to the Plaintiff's vehicle at a stop or yield intersection, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-904;

Turned said vehicle from a direct course upon roadway without first determining that such movement could be made with reasonable safety, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11- 804(a);

Failed to give audible warning with the horn, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/12-601;

Failed to give to the Plaintiff's automobile proceeding in the opposite direction, at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway,

Moved from one lane into another without first ascertaining that such movement could be made with safety, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-709(a);

Failed to yield the right-of-way, while existing from a driveway, to the Plaintiff's vehicle, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-906;

Disobeyed instructions of an official traffic control device, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-305;

Disobeyed a stop sign, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-1204;

Failed to decrease speed so as to avoid colliding with another vehicle, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a);

Proceeded at a speed, which was greater than reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the roadway, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-601;

Failed to yield the right-of-way at intersection to the oncoming Plaintiff's vehicle before proceeding with a left hand turn, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-902;

Failed to keep said vehicle under proper control and failed to stop, slow down or otherwise alter speed, movement or direction of said vehicle, when danger of collision with the Plaintiff's vehicle was imminent;

Improperly executed a left turn violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-801;

Failed to yield the right-of-way to Plaintiff in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-1002;

Improperly attempted to overtake and pass another vehicle travelling in the same direction upon the right without first ascertaining that such movement could be made with safety, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-704;

Failed to yield the right-of-way, while existing from an alley, to the Plaintiff's vehicle, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-1205;

Failure by the negligent party to follow any of these provisions can lead to their being found negligent in winning your personal injury case.

At Nemeroff Law Offices we have had years of success achieving large settlements and verdicts in the area of personal injury and car accidents. Contact an attorney at Nemeroff Law Offices for additional information about our car accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys. We offer a free consultation with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer from our firm. Weekend and evening appointments are available. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can come to your home or hospital.

Free Consultation

We offer a free consultation to evaluate your legal case. It will cost you nothing to consult with a lawyer to see if you have a case. It is essential that action be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident and/or conduct in question and to file a lawsuit, when necessary prior to a deadline imposed by the statute of limitations.

No Fee Unless We Win Your Case

We give all our personal injury, workers' compensation, wrongful death and medical malpractice clients a promise that if we do not recover monetary damages in your case, we will not charge you an attorney fee. If we take your case, we only get paid if we win your case.

Contact us immediately at 312–629–8800 or complete our online contact us form.

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