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Chicago Head-On Collision Lawyers
Strong advocacy when head-on crashes in Illinois take lives or cause serious injuries
Simply put, head-on crashes should never happen. In nearly all head-on crashes, one driver has entered the wrong lane or direction of travel due to negligence. At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we hold drivers who drive while intoxicated, distracted, or enter a roadway due to any other type of negligence accountable for the injuries and deaths they cause. Our Chicago head-on collision lawyers demand compensation for each victim’s personal and financial damages. We file personal injury claims for survivors and wrongful death claims for families when a head-on collision is fatal. Call us today to hold irresponsible drivers accountable.
Our record of recoveries includes:
- $250,000 (the insurance policy limits) for a family when a 54-year-old man was killed in a head-on collision.
- $100,000 (the insurance policy limits) for a 64-year-old man who suffered multiple fractures in a multi-vehicle accident. The man’s injuries occurred when one of the vehicles (a Jeep Liberty) struck our client head-on. The crash involved another collision with our client’s vehicle. We secured the settlement within six months from the date of the accident.
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How can we help?
- Why are head-on crashes so frightening?
- What are the different types of head-on crashes in Chicago?
- What causes head-on accidents in Chicago?
- Who do you hold liable for head-on accidents?
- What injuries do head-on collisions cause?
- How much is my head-on collision claim worth in Illinois?
- Do you have a Chicago head-on collision lawyer near me?
Why are head-on crashes so frightening?
Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that in 2022, 4,253 people died in head-on crashes on American roads. These accidents accounted for 10.8 percent of all fatalities.
The impact of any head-on collision is generally based on the combined speeds of the two vehicles. The impact in a head-on crash is more severe than a rear-end or side collision because the combined speeds increase the force of the collision. For example, a crash between vehicles traveling 40 and 50 mph can produce forces similar to hitting a wall at a higher speed than either of those vehicles were traveling. Drivers only have a fraction of the time to react that they would when cars are traveling in the same direction.
Head-on crashes aren’t limited to two vehicles colliding with each other. A head-on crash also involves a car that strikes a roadside barrier head-on.
What are the different types of head-on crashes in Chicago?
Our Chicago car accident lawyers work with our investigators, the police, and through the formal discovery process to determine what happened and who is responsible. In some cases, we may also work with traffic reconstruction experts.
Head-on collisions often occur because one driver was traveling in the wrong direction. Common scenarios include:
- Passing accidents. Here, a driver tries to pass by crossing a center line but can’t move back into their original lane, causing the passing driver to strike a driver coming towards them.
- Directional mistakes. These head-on crashes include a driver who enters a one-way street from the wrong direction or drives up/down an entrance/exit ramp – from the wrong direction.
- Visibility problems. A driver may enter the wrong lane because road construction, trees, poor lighting, the lanes aren’t painted or marked, or other factors make it hard to know where to drive.
- A driver may enter an opposite-travel lane if there’s an emergency, such as a child running into the road, an accident, or for other reasons.
What causes head-on accidents in Chicago?
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we are skilled at showing how accidents happen. Head-on accidents are often due to one or more of the following causes:
- A driver’s judgment and driving were impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Driver distraction, which includes texting, talking on a mobile phone, eating, drinking, looking at a navigation system, tending to a pet, or other distractions.
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding, failing to yield, and other traffic violations
- Driving through a stop sign or a red light
- Inclement weather, which can make it hard to see
- Passing or merging improperly
- Improper design of roads, which can create confusion (such as failing to mark lanes, poor lighting, confusing turning lanes, failing to provide enough distance to merge or make other maneuvers, and other road design or maintenance defects).
Who do you hold liable for head-on accidents?
Our Chicago head-on accident attorneys file personal injury and wrongful death claims against the responsible parties. The people and businesses that may be responsible include:
- The driver who was traveling the wrong way
- The employer of the driver
- The owner of the vehicle (if the driver and owner are not the same person)
- Trucking companies
- The Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County, and other governmental agencies/entities
- Manufacturers of defective parts, including lights, software, sensors, and other parts
What injuries do head-on collisions cause?
Many head-on crashes are fatal. Survivors often suffer catastrophic, permanent, or chronic injuries. Our Chicago head-on collision lawyers handle all types of serious injuries, including the following:
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis and herniated disks
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Loss of limb/traumatic amputations
- Burn injuries
- Fractures/broken bones
- Crush injuries and other trauma that may cause internal bleeding or organ damage
- Nerve, muscle, and tissue damage
- Neck, shoulder, and back injuries
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Dental injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
How much is my head-on collision claim worth in Illinois?
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our lawyers work with your physicians and our network of doctors, when necessary, to verify your injuries, determine the full range of medical care that you need, and understand all the ways your injuries are affecting your ability to perform daily functions, work, and enjoy your family and friends.
Our Chicago car accident lawyers demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages (so far and for the rest of your life). These damages include all your:
- Medical bills. These include emergency transport, ER care, hospital stays, doctor visits, physical and other types of therapy, assistive devices and technology, and medications.
- Lost income. This damage category includes your lost wages, benefits, business income, and long-term disability compensation.
- Pain and suffering. This includes every moment you cry, experience discomfort, feel pain, itch, feel anxious, or experience depression.
- Property damage. This includes the cost to fix or replace your car, depending on the amount of damage.
- Other damages. These include scarring and disfigurement, loss of bodily function, inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and loss of consortium.
We also file wrongful death claims if a head-on collision is fatal. Wrongful death damages include:
- The funeral and burial costs
- The loss of financial support, including the loss of an inheritance
- The loss of comfort, guidance, society, and love that your family member would have provided
We may also seek punitive damages if the negligence of the responsible parties was unconscionable.
Do you have a Chicago head-on collision lawyer near me?
Yes. Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers meets accident victims and families at our office located at 77 W. Washington Street, Suite 1215, right in The Loop neighborhood in downtown Chicago. There are two bus stops right near us if transportation is an issue. We also discuss cases by phone and through online video platforms like Zoom.
Our lawyers are prepared to fight for all the compensation you deserve.
Speak with our experienced Chicago head-on collision attorneys today
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our lawyers are trusted by our clients and respected by insurance companies and defense lawyers for our dedication to our clients, our thorough preparation, and our advocacy skills. We’ve helped many car accident victims in Chicago obtain strong recoveries. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle car accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that our compensation depends on the success of your claim.