What Compensation Can I Get from a Head-on Collision Lawsuit?

What compensation can you get from a head-on collision lawsuit? Victims of a head-on collision have the ability to recover any damages they suffer in the form of a settlement paid for by the at-fault party or their liability insurance company.

You should consult with a New Orleans car accident lawyer about your case. The following are some of the types of compensation you may be able to obtain from a head-on collision lawsuit.

Medical Damages from a Head-on Collision

Head-on collisions can create serious injury due to the force and impact of such accidents. When this happens, it can create emergent medical needs, often requiring extensive recovery periods and numerous treatments. Victims can seek compensation for any medical costs they have stemming from the accident. Examples of this include:

• Emergency medical response costs
• Hospitalization
• Surgery and other treatment costs
• Medication costs
• Rehabilitation inpatient or outpatient
• Ongoing outpatient care
• In-home support for medical needs
• Assistive devices to support recovery

Medical damages for future expected costs may also be included as compensation from a head-on collision lawsuit. These costs can be extensive but are nearly always documented with medical bills and insurance claims. As long as there is a clear link between the incident and your injuries, it can be tough for insurance companies to deny these claims. Review our FAQs to learn more.

Lost Wages from a Head-on Collision

A head-on collision will create serious injuries that lead to days, weeks, or longer periods missed at work. If you were unable to work for any period of time, the law allows you to recover fair damages for the losses you have, based on what you were likely to earn had you been able to work. Your lost wages may include:

• Any salary or hourly time owed to you
• Any bonuses you would have received
• Benefits you would have received
• Retirement contributions you would have received
• Other compensation expected

You will need to provide documentation of what these losses are, backed by evidence of your inability to work from your doctor. Be sure to be thorough and include any use of your personal time off for the injury recovery as well. Your attorney will help you calculate your losses. Learn more about us today.

Property Damage in a Head-on Collision

If you need to file a lawsuit after a head-on collision, you will likely have significant property damage to report. This type of compensation is meant to make you whole again, which can be done in one of two ways.

• Repairs to your vehicle and assets, if it is possible to do so
• Replacement of your vehicle and assets is more feasible than repairing the vehicle

Do not overlook other damages you have, such as damage or loss of other assets located in the vehicle at the time of the accident. If you have damage to any structural property, such as your home, you can also include those losses in this claim.

Pain and Suffering Losses in a Head-on Collision

Victims of a head-on collision may experience significant pain and suffering that occurs at the moment of the incident and then through their recovery process. Pain and suffering are a type of non-economic damage, which means that there is no specific dollar amount that applies in every case. Rather, your pain and suffering claim will be dependent on factors such as:

• The severity of your injuries
• Whether you will heal from your injuries
• The amount of pain attributed to your injuries

We will investigate and build a value for pain and suffering based on factors such as the intensity of the impact of the accident, the type of trauma to your body from the accident, and the intensity of treatment, especially immediate or emergent care. You can expect your attorney to be aggressive in seeking compensation for pain and suffering, as it can be critically owed to victims.

Emotional Trauma from a Head-on Collision

When a head-on collision happens, the entire experience can be incredibly damaging emotionally. Victims often find themselves struggling with intense replaying of the event in their minds. Many will suffer various mental health challenges as a result, and in some cases, worsening symptoms of existing conditions. Examples may include:

• Emotional trauma resulting in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder
• Onset of depression or worsening or acute flare-ups of serious depression
• Severe anxiety that becomes crippling

In the case of emotional trauma, the value of the loss is dependent on the type of care and support a person needs, including whether they need advanced mental health support.

Note that you are suffering from emotional trauma that benefits from therapy, and you should receive compensation from a head-on collision lawsuit for those losses. However, you may also seek damages for the emotional toll the experience has on you.

Punitive Damages in a Head-On Collision

Punitive damages, also called exemplary damages, are not typically awarded in car accidents, including head-on collisions. They are not compensatory, meaning they are not given to you as a result of compensating you for your losses. Rather, this form of compensation is issued as a form of punishment against the at-fault party.

Under Louisiana law, punitive damages are only provided in rare cases. In a head-on collision caused by intoxicated drivers, it may be possible to seek compensation awards for this. However, most often, damages are only available when there is substantial evidence of loss caused by intentional or specifically negligent behavior.

If you feel your case warrants punitive damage recovery, speak to your attorney about this loss and what legal steps you can take to seek those losses. In most situations, victims of a head-on collision will find that punitive damages are rarely awarded.

Seeking Compensation From a Head-On Collision Lawsuit Requires Careful Planning

The compensation from a head-on collision lawsuit is dependent on numerous factors, but it is always up to you, the victim, and your attorney to demonstrate what those losses are and to put a value on them.

Call Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a head-on collision lawyer from our team.