When you get behind the wheel, you don’t expect to be involved in an accident. You pay attention to your surroundings and obey traffic rules. Unfortunately, not everyone does.
When another motorist hit you head-on because they were careless, you have a right to be compensated for the injuries and damage they caused. There is a high probability your injuries will be severe when two vehicles suddenly stop on impact. Our experienced car accident attorneys want to see you and your family compensated after front-end car accidents in New Orleans.
What Is a Front-End Car Crash?
Front-end car accidents, also known as head-on crashes, are less common than T-bone or rear-end crashes, but they usually cause more damage. Some common ways front-end crashes occur include:
- Motorists trying to pass on two-lane roads
- Confused drivers going in the wrong direction
- Drunk, drug-impaired, or distracted drivers who drift into the oncoming lane
- Drivers in no-passing zones who try to pass when they cannot see what is coming the other way
These motorists’ actions are negligent and can lead to a civil lawsuit against them when they injure someone. After a front-end crash, a car accident attorney in New Orleans could study medical and police reports, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the accident to present to the jury as evidence of negligence.
When an Injured Party is Partly Responsible for a Front-End Car Accident
Proving liability in front-end car accidents in New Orleans is not always black and white. Sometimes, an injured plaintiff bears some responsibility.
Under Louisiana Civil Code CC 2323, an injured party can still collect a damages award when they are partly, or even mostly, at fault. This law is called pure comparative negligence. The award will be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, when the defendant is passing illegally on a two-lane road and hits a speeding plaintiff head-on, the jury could decide the plaintiff is 40 percent at fault. A $1,000,000 judgment will be reduced by 40 percent to $600,000. The state allows a plaintiff to collect an award even when they are more at fault for the accident than the defendant, up to 99 percent. There is an exception when the defendant intentionally causes the accident.
Wrongful Death
People often die in head-on crashes. When an injured party’s attorney can prove the elements of negligence in a front-end car accident, but the person dies, family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Wrongful death compensation often includes loss of financial support the decedent provided, as well as loss of their companionship and guidance, emotional distress, and end-of-life expenses, such as medical bills and funeral costs.
Let an Attorney Help After Front-End Car Accidents in New Orleans
Front-end car accidents happen because some drivers behave irresponsibly. When your attorney has the evidence to prove negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
Scott Vicknair is dedicated to righting the wrongs bad drivers commit, hurting you in the process. We fight to win as much compensation as you will need to recuperate in financial comfort. When you are hurt in a front-end car accident in New Orleans, call us for a free consultation. You pay nothing until we win your case.
