Head-on Collision Lawyers in New York City

head on collision car accident

When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, few are as potentially devastating as a head-on collision. These accidents are more likely to result in fatal injuries than any other type of crash.

Head-on accidents occur when the front ends of two motor vehicles collide with each other. These accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and they frequently involve two cars traveling at high speed. The resulting impact is often catastrophic.

If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a head-on collision, you have the right to pursue a claim for financial compensation from the responsible driver. Let our New York City car accident lawyers help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Head-On Car Accident: Why You Need a Lawyer

Every head-on collision can cause serious harm. Concussions and soft tissue injuries might not become apparent until days or weeks after the accident. In New York, it may not be wise to rely solely on your no-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to reimburse your expenses. You would likely forfeit a substantial portion of the total compensation you are entitled to recover from your own and the at-fault driver’s insurance companies.

Individuals are at a disadvantage when they try to get compensation from car insurance companies because they process hundreds of claims every day. Their main concern is their bottom line. However, a New York car accident lawyer can level the playing field and make sure that your claims are treated equitably and fairly to get you the compensation you deserve.

After any head-on car accident in New York, you need to file a no-fault claim within 30 days of the accident to be eligible for insurance reimbursements that can include reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to the limits of your policy. It could also reimburse you for lost wages of up to $2,000 per month. You need to file that claim properly to qualify for these benefits. An attorney can eliminate any concerns you might have about this process.

In addition, fault can be challenging to determine in a head-on accident. However, your lawyer will need to establish this to recover damages above and beyond your no-fault or PIP coverage. Under New York State’s comparative negligence rules, your recovery might also be reduced in proportion to your contribution to the cause of the accident. Again, your lawyer will marshal the available evidence to demonstrate how all or most of the fault for a head-on collision rests with another party.

Finally, New York applies no-fault insurance rules. So, you will be precluded from filing a lawsuit to collect damages beyond your PIP insurance recovery–unless you can show that you sustained serious injuries in your head-on car accident. Your attorney can show how your injuries meet this standard to enable your lawsuit to move forward.

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Common front-end collision injuries

The injuries that can come with a front-end accident are often severe. In many cases, these injuries will prove to be fatal. Motorists that survive could still face lifelong health consequences. Serious injuries commonly resulting from a front-end collision include:

If you or a loved one sustained any of these injuries following a head-on collision, you might be entitled to substantial financial compensation to cover past, present, and future medical bills, and more. Speak with a personal injury lawyer right away to determine if you have a viable claim.

How a front-end collision happens

There are different ways for a front-end collision to occur. These collisions frequently involve a driver crossing over into the path of oncoming traffic. However, wrong way crashes are also relatively common. Under either scenario, a personal injury attorney could help you protect your legal rights by pursuing a claim for negligence against the at-fault party.

Crossing the center line

Most head-on collisions occur when one or more drivers cross over the center line of a two-way highway. When this happens as two drivers are approaching each other from opposite directions, head-on collisions are common. These crashes are often devastating as both vehicles are typically moving at high speed. That both drivers are traveling in opposite directions only increases the severity of the impact.

Drivers cross over the center line for multiple reasons. Motorists may take a wide turn on a curve and overcorrect, sending them into oncoming traffic. In other cases, these collisions occur due to driver distraction. When motorists take their attention off the road, even for only a second or two, it is not uncommon for them to drift over the center line. Additionally, many head-on crashes are the result of DUI.

Determining which party is responsible for causing the crash and proving it can be complicated in these cases. You need a law firm with the investigative resources to look into every detail of your collision and help you build a case against the other motorist.

Wrong way crash

Some head-on collisions occur when one driver travels the wrong way down a one-way street. These are known as wrong way crashes. This type of collision is most destructive in cases where motorists take the wrong onramp and travel the wrong way on a highway or interstate.

Wrong way accidents can occur due to little more than an honest mistake. In other situations, wrong way crashes happen due to drunken or distracted drivers. In either event, the driver that is traveling the wrong way is typically at fault in these types of cases.

What Compensation is Available in a Head-on Collision Case?

Head-on collisions are arguably the most devastating type of motor vehicle accident. Most of these collisions occur at high speeds, and the impact is often traumatic. Given the severity of the injuries, different types of compensation could be available. In general, you have the right to pursue compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Recovering these damages is possible if you have the guidance of an experienced attorney. Some of the types of compensation that could be available include:

  • Medical costs. The high cost of medical care is a significant concern for many people involved in a head-on collision. By pursuing legal action, you could be entitled to damages that pay for your past and future medical bills.
  • Lost wages. Head-on collisions can result in injuries that make returning to work impossible. Missing out on days, weeks, or months results in a sudden and unexpected loss of income. Recouping this is often a priority in these cases.
  • Pain and suffering. Physical pain is a common side-effect of a head-on collision. For some, this pain fades over time. However, with certain types of trauma—like nerve damage or PTSD—it never goes away. It is possible to recover pain and suffering damages in a personal injury lawsuit.
  • Property damage. Head-on collisions typically result in a total loss of your vehicle. The good news is that you might be able to recover compensation that helps you repair or replace it.
  • Diminished earning power. You may also face diminished future earning ability due to your injuries. This can happen when you return to the workforce after an accident but have physical limitations. If you are limited in the type of work you can do, you are more likely to have fewer well-paying options. A civil suit can help you recover the difference between what you will earn in the future and what you could have earned had you not been hurt in a car accident.

Call a New York City head-on collision lawyer right away

If you have sustained injuries in a head-on crash, chances are you face serious physical and financial burdens. It is only fair to shift those burdens onto the person responsible for causing the accident. The attorneys of Douglas & London are ready to assist you in your pursuit of justice. We have dedicated our careers to taking on difficult accident cases and winning. To learn more, call today to schedule a free consultation.