Head-on collisions are incredibly dangerous especially when they happen at high speed. A head-on collision can happen in a number of ways including a vehicle that enters a roadway in the wrong direction. If you were injured in a car accident that resulted in a head-on collision, you may be entitled to compensation. At Mass Injury Group, our compassionate and diligent team of Boston car accident lawyers are available to help you identify your legal rights.
Recently, two individuals tragically lost their lives as the result of a head-on collision on I-495 in Westborough, according to a local news report. Law enforcement officials who responded to the scene reported that a wrong-way driver was reported in the area shortly before 9 p.m. on the day of the accident. The wrong-way vehicle was a passenger vehicle driven by a 43-year-old woman. It eventually crashed into a vehicle being driven by a 27-year-old man resulting in a head-on collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. His passenger, an 83-year-old woman, was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for her critical injuries. The authorities are unclear on how the vehicle ended up traveling the wrong way on the highway.
If you were injured in a head-on collision, you can bring a civil claim to recover compensation for your injuries. In the lawsuit, you will need to show that the other driver failed to use reasonable care and skill while operating his or her motor vehicle. There are a few common causes of head-on collisions. Distracted driving can prevent drivers from paying attention to traffic signs such as “do not enter” signage. Drunk driving can also make it impossible for a driver to make appropriate observations about the road conditions and signage. Drugged driving is similar to drunk driving and includes illegal as well as prescription drugs that impair the user’s awareness and response time.
Fatigued driving can also lead to head-on collisions as a driver nods off behind the wheel and drifts into oncoming traffic. Finally, intersections create dangerous opportunities for head-on collisions especially if an aggressive driver is traveling through the intersection in an unsafe manner. After proving that the other driver acted negligently, you must show that you would not have been harmed but for this negligence. In other words, if the defendant can point to some other substantial cause, you may be barred from recovering compensation. This can include any evidence that you also acted negligently at the time of the crash and contributed to your injuries.
One of the best ways to protect your legal rights is to meet with a diligent Boston car accident lawyer to discuss your situation. At Mass Injury Group, we are available to assist with a wide variety of car accident types including head-on collisions and wrongful death claims. While you are dealing with the pain and devastation of the accident, we will ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the outcome that you deserve. Contact us at 617-263-0060 or contact us online to set up your free consultation.