Head-On Collisions Accidents

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were nearly 300,000 car collisions in New York in 2014. Of those collisions over 100,000 resulted in injuries, while nearly 1000 involved fatalities. While there are several different possible causes for car accidents such as poor weather or road conditions and faulty vehicle design, many car accidents are caused by driver negligence. Whether the car accident is caused by driver negligence or for some other reason, head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of collisions. The tremendous about of force exerted by two vehicles on the occupants often has tragic consequences. A victim of such a car accident may suffer a painful, devastating injury such as a brain injury, broke bones, contusion, abrasions, a neck injury, or a spinal cord injury. These types of injuries may involve long recovery times. However, under New York law victims of head-on collisions are allowed to seek compensation from the person whose negligence resulted in the accident. If you are in need of a New York Injury Lawyer because you or a loved one was injured in a head-on vehicle collision due to the negligence of another person, it is important that you contact an experienced Bronx Head-On Collisions Accident Lawyer who will review your case and help you receive damages that will compensate you for the losses you suffered as a result of the accident. In addition, if during the course of the treatment for your injuries your doctor commits medical malpractice, the party responsible for your car accident injuries may be required to compensate you for the medical malpractice injury as well.

A head-on collision is a type of vehicle accident where the front of one motor vehicle strikes the front of another motor vehicle. Such accidents typically occur when one vehicle swerves into the wrong lane where there is oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions are among the most serious vehicle accidents. They often result in severe injuries or lead to death because of the amount of force exerted when two moving vehicles collide.

A head-on collision will most likely occur when a vehicle crosses a centerline or median into oncoming traffic and collides into an approaching vehicle. This usually happens when the driver who crosses the centerline or median is intoxicated or is distracted. For example, in Hurtado v. Williams, 976 N.Y.S.2d 326 (N.Y. App. Div., 2013), defendant Carol Williams caused a head-on collision resulting in the death of Jose Hurtado. When the accident occurred Williams was driving home from a tavern. Six hours after the accident her blood alcohol content was .14%

Head-on collisions also occur when a car travels the wrong way down a one-way street. For example, James Richardson was driving a car that was involved in a head-on collision with a taxi driven by Gustavo E. Leyva. Richardson, attempting to enter an expressway, drove his vehicle on an exit ramp that had signage marked "Do Not Enter." Shortly after enter the exit ramp Richardson collided with Leyva. Both Richardson and Leyva were killed and the passengers in Leyva's taxi were seriously injured. Leyva's family as well as the passengers in Leyva's taxi sued Richardson. They also sued New York City arguing that the "Do Not Enter" sign was inadequate. The jury found that Richardson, Leyva, and New York City were all negligent, with Richardson being 75% negligent. Leyva v. Levy, 502 N.Y.S.2d 457 (N. Y. A. D. 1 Dept., 1986)

While head-on collisions are a lot less common than rear-end collisions or side collisions, a head-on collision is more likely to result in catastrophic injuries or death. The most common types of injuries related to head-on collisions include traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and broken bones. Such serious injuries require extensive costly treatment. There will be significant medical bills associated with the immediate treatment of the injuries including emergency room, hospital, surgical and doctors' bills. There may be also long-term treatment and rehabilitation.

A personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident will not only hold that person accountable for his or her negligence but will also provide you and your family with needed financial relief. Through a personal injury action you can seek compensation to cover the past and future medical expenses related to you injury. You can also seek compensation for your lost earnings and loss of earning capacity. Furthermore, the physical and emotional pain and suffering you endured from your injuries are compensable losses as well.

A serious injury that results from a head-on car accident is devastating. Not only will you be faced with physical challenges, you will also face financial challenges due to medical bills and loss of income. Compensation from those responsible for your condition is essential to help you and your family deal with the financial burden. If you or a loved one was injured in a head-on collision contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with vehicle accidents. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates, PLLC has extensive experience representing clients injured in hit and run accidents, rollover accidents, head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, sideswipe accidents well as other types of vehicle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident.