Front-end car accidents occur when a driver collides head-on with another vehicle or stationary object. These types of auto wrecks are some of the most dangerous accidents on local roads.
A head-on collision can cause property damage, severe injury, and even death. If you have sustained injuries in a front-end car accident in Charlottesville, a local vehicle collision lawyer could help you move forward. Reach out to The Warren Firm today to find out more about your legal options.
As per state law, an injured driver can seek compensation from the person responsible for his or her car accident. Plaintiffs may receive compensatory damages for their economic and non-economic losses. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.
Compensatory damages aim to make plaintiffs whole by helping them recover financially from the accident. While some losses, like medical bills, have a fixed price, other damages, like pain and suffering are subjective. Other common examples of compensatory damages include:
The intent of punitive damages is not to compensate the plaintiff but to punish the defendant for intentionally reckless behavior. The court often orders punitive damages in drunk driving cases. For example, if the negligent driver’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash was .15 or higher, that would constitute reckless behavior. Because punitive damages are not available in every case, you should consult with an attorney to determine what type of compensation is available in your front-end car accident claim.
Virginia law codifies a common-law theory of liability called pure contributory negligence. According to the Virginia Civil Remedies and Procedure Code §8.01-34, a plaintiff cannot collect damages from another party if he or she bears any degree of fault for the head-on collision.
Insurance companies use many tactics to avoid paying full compensation to injured parties, which is why it is crucial to have a legal professional on your side. Something seemingly small, like driving a few miles over the speed limit, could be enough to constitute contributory negligence.
In complex cases where fault is difficult to determine, it is best to work with a Charlottesville attorney who could investigate your front-end accident and determine who is truly at fault. If you believe you may bear some responsibility for the accident, you should still speak with a lawyer. You may be able to negotiate a settlement with the other driver.
Immediately after a car accident, pursuing a lawsuit can seem overwhelming. Trying to navigate the legal system while adjusting to your new life after sustaining a severe personal injury is a large burden to put on yourself.
A skilled attorney at The Warren Firm could help you establish liability at trial or negotiate a settlement. If you are recovering from a front-end car accident in Charlottesville, our legal team is here to help.
