New York City Head-On Collisions

Every year in New York State there are thousands of vehicle accidents. Many of those accidents result in serious injuries and some are fatal car accidents. There are several different types of accidents including head-on collisions, side collisions, rear-end collisions, back-over car accidents, sideswipe accidents, collisions with animals, and chain reaction accidents. Of the many different types of car accidents, head-on collisions are among the most dangerous because the tremendous about of force exerted by two vehicles on the occupants often has tragic consequences. While weather conditions and vehicle malfunctions may contribute to head-on collisions, most such collisions are caused by driver negligence. If 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 New York City Head-On Collisions Lawyer who will be able to help you recover damages that will compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages and other losses you suffered as a result of the accident.

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.

Distracted driving. 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%

Driving the wrong way. 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. 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.

• Medical expenses. You will be entitled to recover the medical expenses that you incurred because of the accident. Eligible expenses include doctors' bills, hospital fees, nursing home fees, the costs of prescriptions, and fees associated with rehabilitation.
• Lost wages. A medical error may cause you to lose time from work while you are recovering. You are entitled to recover wages that you lost. This includes both income lost because you were unable to work and time missed because you were undergoing treatment for your injuries.
• Loss of future earnings. If the result of the injury you sustained from the medical misdiagnosis is that you are unable to return to the same job or continue along the same career path, you be compensated for loss of future earnings.
• Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is a legal term that encompasses not just physical pain, but also emotional and mental injuries such as fear, grief, worry, inconvenience and the loss of the enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful death. If a head-on collision leads to death, the victim's family members would be entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit and recover damages such as the loss of financial support that the victim would have contributed to the family during his or her lifetime.

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. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates 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.