6Have you been injured in a head-on collision in Sevierville, TN? Perhaps you have lost a loved one in a fatal head-on crash.
Violent head-on collisions are among the most devastating types of motor vehicle accidents, accounting for less than 4 percent of all crashes but nearly 30 percent of road fatalities, according to data from the National Safety Council.
You may be left with expensive medical bills, significant lost wages, and debilitating pain and suffering. Drunk drivers, overly fatigued motorists, and confused, often elderly, drivers are particularly prone to causing wrong-way crashes. You should not have to bear the costs because of someone else’s careless mistake or reckless behavior.
The experienced car accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm are standing by to help you demand fair compensation for what you have suffered. We are a small-town firm that has big-city know-how and resources. That means we can provide you with the hands-on support you deserve during a difficult time while also dedicating considerable resources to the pursuit of the compensation you deserve..
Contact us today to speak with a Sevierville head-on collision attorney about your case, and let our family help yours. The consultation is free and comes with no strings attached.
Reasons to Choose Our Attorneys After a Head-On Crash in Sevierville
Few types of car accidents can be as profoundly life-altering as head-on car crashes. In the difficult aftermath of a serious crash, you deserve a Sevierville head-on collision lawyer who provides dedicated legal representation and outstanding customer service.
Here are just a few reasons why we think The Terry Law Firm is the right choice to make:
- We are a family-run firm that provides personalized service to our clients.
- You can expect us to answer your calls promptly and always be reachable when you need us.
- We have considerable experience with a broad range of case types. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience, and our firm has been serving the region since 1960.
- We work hard for our clients.. We know that the outcome of your case is critical to your future well-being, and we will do everything we can to secure maximum compensation on your behalf.
What Causes Head-On Collisions in Sevierville, TN?
Head-on car crashes occur when a driver enters oncoming traffic traveling in the wrong direction, whether deliberately or accidentally. It can happen as a result of:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Confusion
- Medical emergencies
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic
- Aggressive driving or reckless driving
- Attempting to overtake a vehicle when it is unsafe to do so
- Poor road design
- Mechanical failure
Why Head-On Crashes Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Head-on crashes are among the most violent road collisions due to the considerable energy that vehicles impart to one another when traveling in opposite directions. The sudden deceleration and forceful impacts to the steering wheel, dashboard, and other interior surfaces can cause serious injuries to the human body. Occupants of the lighter or slower-traveling vehicle, which absorbs more of the force of the crash, are at heightened risk.
Some examples of potential severe injuries in head-on collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and other head trauma
- Skull fractures
- Spinal injuries and spinal cord damage, including paralysis or quadriplegia from spinal trauma
- Herniated or ruptured spinal discs
- Severe fractures
- Flail chest
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Pulmonary contusions (bruised lungs)
- Cardiac contusions (heart bruising)
- Aortic rupture or other major vascular injuries
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Liver, spleen, kidney, and other internal organ damage
- Crush injuries
- Burn injuries
Just how catastrophic are head-on collisions? According to the National Safety Council, they make up just 3.8 percent of total crash types but account for 8.3 percent of traffic injuries and a staggering 28.8 percent of fatalities.
How Fault Is Determined in a Tennessee Head-On Collision
Ultimately, the motorist who drove against traffic is most likely to be found at fault for a head-on crash, although other parties could also share blame. To determine who is at fault for a head-on car accident, investigators in Tennessee often review evidence like:
- Police accident reports and citations
- Eyewitness statements
- Photographs of the accident scene and vehicle damage
- Videos from dashcams, traffic cameras, and surveillance cameras
- Physical evidence from the accident scene, such as skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle damage
- Event data recorder (black box) and vehicle computer data
- GPS, telematics, and vehicle location data
- Cell phone records and other evidence of distracted driving
- Toxicology reports and other evidence of alcohol or drug impairment
Depending on the complexity of the case, accident reconstruction experts may be needed to review the evidence and use it to develop conclusions about how the accident occurred and why.
Tennessee’s Modified Comparative Fault Rule and Your Claim
Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule may affect your claim if you were partially to blame for the head-on collision. Under comparative fault, should your case go to trial, the court will weigh the evidence presented to it by your Sevierville head-on collision car accident lawyer as well as the defense. It will then assign you and other involved parties a percentage of fault for the accident.
Any percentage of fault assigned to you would reduce your compensation in kind, and if you were found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you could not recover compensation at all. Insurance companies understand the rule and will try to use it against injury victims to minimize payouts.
The modified comparative fault rule underscores the importance of having experienced legal help, as you need a compelling advocate to minimize the share of fault assigned to you.
Damages You May Be Entitled to After a Head-On Crash in Sevierville
A Sevierville head-on collision car accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for the many financial and personal harms you have suffered because of the accident. That could include money for your:
- Medical expenses, both past and future
- Lost wages and loss of income
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Physical impairment or disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and long-term care costs
- Loss of consortium or loss of companionship
- Wrongful death damages, in cases with fatal injuries
- Property damage
If the person who caused the accident was behaving particularly recklessly or with deliberate malice, you could also be entitled to punitive damages. Rather than compensating you for a loss, punitive damages punish the at-fault party with the goal of deterring similar behavior in the future.
Contact The Terry Law Firm for a Free Sevierville Head-On Collision Case Review
Do not face the painful, tragic aftermath of a head-on car accident in Sevierville on your own. Instead, get help from a compassionate legal team that has over 50 years of combined experience helping car accident victims rebuild their lives.
Contact The Terry Law Firm today to speak with our Sevierville head-on collision attorneys during a free consultation.