If you have been injured in a head-on collision in or around New York City, state law entitles you to seek compensation for your injuries in civil court. Contact the Bronx head-on collision attorneys at Ivan Diamond Bronx Personal Injury Attorney at (718) 588-2000 to share the specifics about your accident and injuries during a free consultation.
According to New York's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), more than 120,000 traffic accidents occurred across New York City in 2018, with almost 20,000 in the Bronx, including 34 fatalities and almost 8,000 injuries. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that head-on collisions comprise about 2.5 percent of all traffic accidents across the nation. This suggests approximately 3,000 head-on collisions across New York City and 500 in the Bronx in 2018. Although these types of crashes don't happen as often as other collisions, they can result in more severe and catastrophic injuries, especially when high speeds are involved.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
Car accidents might occur for a wide variety of reasons, such as wet or icy roads or severe weather. However, some very specific driving behaviors frequently lead to dangerous and potentially fatal head-on collisions.
- Distracted driving, including eating, texting, or interacting with other passengers, can diminish a driver's awareness. These distractions can lead to the driver not realizing that the car has drifted into the opposite lane.
- Intoxicated driving can lead to serious motor vehicle accidents and injuries. Head-on crashes are common in conjunction with intoxication, reckless driving, and speeding.
- Ignoring traffic signs is also a common reason why head-on collisions occur. Drivers unfamiliar with an area may fail to recognize a one-way street or important traffic signals, which could lead to two vehicles colliding from opposite directions.
Serious Injuries in Head-On Collisions
A wide variety of injuries that range in severity might occur during a car accident, but the physics of a head-on collision case leads to some very specific types of serious injury. The force of a head-on impact typically throws drivers and passengers forward and causes airbags to deploy and seat belts to lock up. Higher speeds lead to more severe injuries and often destroy at least the front end of a vehicle. Some common head-on collision injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Chest contusions
In addition to physical injuries, car accident victims often suffer from severe emotional distress and, often, life-long challenges resulting from permanent disability or disfigurement. These non-economic damages are difficult to place a monetary value on, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't seek compensation for such losses. An experienced car accident attorney can bring in experts to assess the value of your total damages and help you work toward a fair settlement offer.
Recovering Damages After a Head-On Collision in New York
New York law gives car accident victims three years to take legal action to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit. If you sue another driver after you have exhausted the limits of your personal injury protection coverage required of all New York residents who own motor vehicles, a ruling in your favor might compensate you for the following losses:
- Medical bills, including emergency services, current, and future hospital stays, medications, and other healthcare needs
- Future medical costs, including rehabilitation, prosthetic and assistive devices, physical therapy, and continued doctors or specialist visits
- Lost wages and loss of earning potential, including missed work while recovering and loss of capacity to return to former employment.
- Non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium or loss of companionship
Wrongful Death as a Result of a Head-On Collision
When a driver or passenger dies as a result of a New York head-on collision, the law entitles surviving family members to seek damages in a wrongful death suit against the party at fault. Wrongful death suits in New York have a two-year statute of limitations. Family members may be able to recover many of the damages mentioned above, as well as funeral expenses and burial costs. It is important for grieving families to retain a qualified attorney experienced with wrongful death auto accident cases to assist them during this difficult time.
Comparative Negligence in Bronx Head-On Collision Cases
When another car or truck swerves into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on crash, it might seem easy to determine fault. That isn't always the case. New York is a so-called “pure comparative negligence state,” which means that courts reduce awards to the plaintiff based on the extent to which he or she contributed to the accident and accompanying injuries. In a head-on collision, a court often finds victims partially responsible if they were, for example, violating traffic regulations when the accident occurred. The court then reduces the damage award available to the plaintiff by that percentage of fault. A qualified car accident attorney understands comparative negligence and can advocate for the best possible outcome for your situation.
Car Accidents and the Insurance Company
Any car accident case generally involves working with your insurance company and that of the other driver. Insurance adjusters will try and determine liability and the damages that can be covered under your policy. However, these companies often act to protect their own interests before those of accident victims. If you've been in a motor vehicle accident, you should be wary of accepting initial settlement offers from an insurance provider without first speaking to a qualified car accident attorney.
Our Bronx car accident lawyers can strategize to maximize your potential compensation and help you understand your legal options depending on your case's unique circumstances.
What to do After a Head-On Collision
Car accident victims face serious challenges and financial burdens following a head-on crash. You may find yourself wondering how you're going to pay for your medical expenses or repair damage to your vehicle. Our car accident lawyers understand the strain that these events can place on you and your family and believe that your rights and your recovery come first. You need experienced car accident attorneys who can help you through the legal process and get you on the road to financial recovery.
If you or someone you love has been in a head-on collision, you should seek out a trusted car accident attorney who can evaluate your case, build your claim, and help negotiate a fair settlement to compensate you for your injuries.
Contact Bronx Car Accident Attorney Ivan Diamond
If a car accident in the Bronx or elsewhere in New York City has harmed you or tragically taken the life of a loved one, you deserve full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Don’t wait to enlist the help of an experienced Bronx personal injury attorney. Contact Attorney Ivan M. Diamond at (718) 588-2000 to schedule a free consultation and determine the best course of action for your individual circumstances.
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