Head-On Collisions in NYC
There is no such thing as a safe car crash, but some accidents are especially dangerous for their drivers and passengers. Statistically, head-on collisions are, by far, the most serious, deadliest types of auto accidents — and they occur with tragic frequency. If you have been in a head-on collision yourself, a New York City head-on accident attorney can help you get compensation for your injuries.
Why Choose a Kaplan Head-On Collision Lawyer
A Long Track Record of Success
When it comes to seeking compensation for a head-on collision accident, experience matters. The head-on collision attorneys at Kaplan Lawyers have a track record of fighting hard and collecting the compensation their clients deserve.
When you go with Kaplan Lawyers, you get the benefit of working with a firm that has:
- A consistent record of recovering millions of dollars for clients
- Industry-leading, award-winning attorneys
- A dedication to community involvement
- Free initial consultations for new clients
- Around-the-clock availability for client emergencies.
Thousands of injury victims have put their trust in our team, and we have delivered. Like them, you can trust us to do what we can to get you the financial relief you need to carry on.
If you have been in a head-on collision and need representation, contact Kaplan Lawyers for a free consultation at (516) 399-2364 today.
Head-On Collisions in New York
A head-on collision happens when two vehicles impact each other in their respective front ends. Studies show that these collisions are more likely than any other to cause catastrophic injury and/or death.
Typically, head-on collisions happen abruptly and at high speeds. Like side-impact collisions, they also strike each driver (and front-seat passenger) where they are most vulnerable, making close contact with the human body itself.
Sadly, head-on collisions usually result from inattentiveness or negligence on the highway. It is a fact that cautious driving would prevent the overwhelming majority of New York’s head-on crashes and the fatalities they cause.
The keys to a safer future, then, are prevention and accountability. This page is designed to address both. We want you to understand how, where, and why these accidents happen and what we can do to help victims in their aftermath.
Kaplan Lawyers PC has decades of experience helping people affected by the very worst auto accidents in New York. Our job is to help you understand your rights and then to defend them.
We will work tirelessly to hold at-fault drivers and their insurance companies and employers accountable for the damage they’ve caused, seeking the largest amount of financial compensation allowable under the law. By insisting that negligent parties take responsibility, we can help create a safer future for every driver, passenger, and pedestrian in the Empire State.
Who Should Pay After a Head-On Collision?
Regardless of who is at fault for a head-on collision, injured victims generally must first seek compensation from their personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Motorists in New York must purchase PIP insurance to cover their injuries and property damage instead of seeking compensation from an at-fault driver. However, accident victims may still file a claim against an at-fault driver under certain circumstances.
PIP Insurance Coverage
PIP insurance coverage will automatically pay some but not all of an injury victim’s economic losses after a car accident, including:
- Reasonable medical costs related to the accident
- 80% of lost income up to $2,000 a week for three years
- A per diem of $25 for household expenses and medical-related travel costs
- A death benefit of $2,000.
However, PIP insurance does not cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. To collect non-economic damages, a victim of a head-on collision must be eligible to file a claim against the driver who hit them or another negligent party.
To be eligible to do so, the victim must suffer at least $50,000 in economic damages or experience a serious injury. The following injuries may be considered serious for the purposes of claims outside of PIP insurance coverage:
- Fatality
- Bone fractures and crushed bones
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Loss of a fetus
- Temporary injuries that cause 90 days or more of disability
- Permanent loss or disability of an organ or another important body part.
Once you are eligible to file a claim against another driver, you will also be permitted to claim full compensation for lost wages instead of just 80%.
The Other Driver
When you make a claim against another driver, their liability insurance will likely be the source of compensation. To receive payment, your head-on collision lawyer must demonstrate that the driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the head-on collision. To do this, your attorney will investigate the crash and gather evidence of fault, including:
- Footage from traffic, dashboard, and surveillance cams
- Accident reports
- Witness testimony
- Testimony of accident reconstruction experts.
Once they have a strong case and strategy, your head-on collision lawyer will then approach the insurance company to recover a compensation payment that properly addresses the damages you have suffered, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of the enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium.
You will also be able to pursue 100% of your lost wages.
Employers of Commercial Vehicle Drivers
At any given time, there are a variety of commercial vehicle drivers on the road. Big rig trucks are the most noticeable, followed by delivery drivers driving vans representing companies like Amazon.
If these drivers cause a head-on collision, their employers may also be held to pay for losses, whether they were negligent or not. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, also known as vicarious liability, employers can be held responsible for the damages their negligent employees cause.
When an employer’s negligence is involved, it typically takes the form of one or more of the following actions:
- Negligent hiring practices
- Failure to train drivers
- Negligent supervision
- Negligent loading practices.
Employers also frequently allow drivers to break hours-of-service regulations and other rules to meet deadlines and turn a profit.
Vehicle, Equipment, and Parts Makers and Distributors
In some cases, defective vehicles, vehicle parts, and equipment are to blame for head-on collisions. For example, a faulty set of tires may blow out and cause a driver to swerve into oncoming traffic. In cases such as these, the accident victim can take legal action against the manufacturers or distributors under the theory of product liability.
Product liability law requires companies to ensure that their products are safe before consumers purchase them. When a company’s product causes harm, the company can be held strictly liable for the full suite of damages available to injury victims.
Workers’ Compensation
If you experience a head-on collision while on the job, you may be entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is similar to PIP insurance in that it allows you to collect certain economic compensation without having to prove fault. However, as with PIP insurance, your payout will be limited.
Under the workers’ compensation benefit scheme, you are entitled to receive:
- Reasonable medical care and treatment, including medication and hospital stays
- 2/3 of your pre-accident wage multiplied by your percentage of disability
- Benefits for your survivors if you suffer a fatality.
Although you need not prove fault in workers’ compensation claims, you can potentially bring a claim against a third party if their negligence caused your head-on collision. In such a situation, you will be entitled to file both a workers’ comp claim as well as a third-party claim for compensation for full damages.
Be Careful at Intersections, at Stoplights, and in Parking Lots
Head-on collisions can happen anywhere, but they are especially common in intersections. Always approach stop signs, stoplights, interchanges, and roundabouts with care. Parking lots are problem areas too, even though speeds are typically reduced in parking areas.
Head-on collisions can also happen when vehicles swerve into the wrong lane. Unsurprisingly, drunk driving (DUI) poses a major concern for high-speed frontal impact.
Finally, wrong-way entries are another common cause of head-on collisions. Always pay attention to street signs and never assume it is safe to enter a new roadway until you have taken the time to confirm.
How Our Head-On Collision Lawyers Can Help
We Take Care of Everything
The head-on collision attorneys at Kaplan Lawyers handle everything related to your head-on collision claim for compensation so you can avoid the complexities and stress involved in the compensation process. We understand how important it is for you to concentrate on recovering from the injuries you have suffered. While you focus your efforts on getting better, our firm handles all the important tasks related to your claim, including:
- Performing a comprehensive investigation of your head-on collision
- Utilizing the services of accident reconstruction experts
- Managing all paperwork and documents related to your claim
- Holding insurance companies responsible for paying what they owe
- Representing you in a lawsuit when necessary.
After a head-on collision, the last thing you should have to worry about is fighting to get the resources you need to cover your losses. Let the head-on collision lawyers at Kaplan Lawyers fight for you.
To get started, give our office a call at (516) 399-2364 today. A head-on collision lawyer from our team is ready to give you a complimentary case review and discuss your options.
Common Injuries in Front-End Collisions
Head-on collisions in New York are known to cause a wide range of serious injuries, including:
- Whiplash
- Crushed or broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Stroke
- Arterial dissection
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Disfigurement
- Burns from a fire or explosion.
Even more moderate injuries may result in profound economic hardship. New York personal injury law allows victims to collect the full cost of their suffering from at-fault parties.
Additionally, head-on collisions can and often do lead to an array of emotional and psychological harms that affect victims’ lives just as deeply as physical injuries. Some of these mental and emotional harms include:
- Severe anxiety
- Crippling depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sleep problems, including nightmares and insomnia
- Crippling phobias
- Humiliation.
In many cases, victims of head-on collisions can no longer comfortably ride in motor vehicles, which leads to a substantial reduction in their quality of life. And there are several other emotional and mental issues caused by these types of crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions about head-on collisions are important to us. The more you understand about head-on collisions and compensation, the less stress you will have during the process. Please review the following Q&A for the answers you seek:
What is the statute of limitations for head-on collisions in New York?
If you have been involved in a head-on collision, you have three years to take legal action after the accident. That said, to increase your chances of success, you should seek the services of an experienced head-on collision lawyer as soon as possible after the crash.
How much do head-on collision lawyers charge?
The cost of a head-on collision lawyer is based on a percentage of the money they recover for you and is paid at the end of your case. If your head-on collision lawyer recovers zero, you pay zero.
How quickly can a head-on collision lawyer settle my case?
If your case is relatively straightforward, your New York City head-on accident attorney can potentially settle your case in a matter of a few months. However, more complex cases and those with serious injuries can take longer, depending on the circumstances.
Should I accept an offer from my insurance company?
If you get a settlement offer from an insurance company after your head-on collision, you should consult with an experienced New York City head-on accident attorney before you accept it. A car accident lawyer will make sure you are being paid what you deserve for your injuries.
If you have more questions related to head-on collisions and car accidents, please contact us for answers from one of our experienced head-on collision attorneys.
Contact Our NYC Head-On Collision Attorneys
To schedule a free consultation with Kaplan Lawyers PC, please contact our office as soon as possible. We will not charge for our services unless and until there is a financial recovery in your case.
Remember, however, that a time limit may apply to your claim, so you should take action as early as possible. Please get in touch with us right away at (516) 399-2364.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]