Experienced New York City Head-On Collision Lawyer

New York City Head-On Collision Lawyer

Find out why we are some of the best New York City head-on collision lawyers

What is a Head-On Collision?

A head-on collision is a vehicle accident where two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide.

This type of car crash is often considered one of the most severe and dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents, as it typically involves both vehicles crashing head-first into each other at high speeds.

Head-on collisions can cause severe physical injuries to accident victims, property damage, and even fatalities to those involved.

What is a Head-On Collision?​

Types of Accidents Involved in Head-On Collisions

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle head-on crashes are some of the most severe and deadly car crashes that can occur on our roadways. Suppose you are involved in a head-on collision. In that case, you should seek medical attention immediately after leaving the accident scene, even if you do not feel that you only have minor injuries.

Some injuries, such as brain injuries, internal injuries, or spinal cord injuries, may not become apparent until after the accident.

In instances where the other driver is at fault, or if there is negligence on their part, the other driver may be held responsible for the damages caused by the accident. The aftermath of a motor vehicle head-on accident can be devastating for both the victim and their loved ones.

Bus and Train Accidents

Bus and train accidents involving head-on collisions can be particularly devastating for injured passengers, their loved ones, and the driver of the bus or train that was involved in the accident.

These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities, as the force of the impact can be tremendous at high speeds.

When an accident involves a bus, multiple parties may be involved, including the bus driver, passengers, and other drivers the collision may have impacted.

Bus accidents can occur for numerous reasons, including driver negligence, poor weather conditions, faulty equipment, and other hazards on the roadway.

Victims of bus accidents often suffer bodily injuries, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, which can result in long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Passengers on the bus during the collision may suffer from physical scars and emotional distress they’ll have to cope with throughout their lives.

Bus and Train Accidents​

Train accidents can involve a head-on collision when a train traveling in one direction collides with an oncoming train.

As trains often travel at high speeds, such accidents can have dire consequences for passengers and bystanders alike.

Train accidents can occur for various reasons:

In these cases, passengers on the train may suffer severe and costly injuries such as severe burns and internal organ damage.

The family members of train passengers involved in such accidents are also often affected by the emotional toll of the incident, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.

Causes of Head-On Collisions

Distracted driving is a significant factor in many head-on collisions that occur on our roadways.

With so many distractions available to drivers, it is becoming increasingly common for drivers to engage in activities that take their focus away from the road.

Texting has become one of the most common distractions while operating a vehicle. When a driver is texting or using their phone while driving, they are not paying attention to the road ahead of them, and it only takes a moment of losing focus for a distracted driving accident (including a head-on motor vehicle collision) to occur.

Other forms of distracted driving can include eating or drinking, applying makeup, changing the radio station, or even talking to passengers in the car.

woman using in-dash screen while drving

Rain, snow, sleet, and other precipitation can make it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead. This can make it challenging for drivers to stay in their own lane and avoid oncoming traffic.

Fog and other weather-related factors can reduce visibility, making it harder for drivers to see other vehicles or obstacles on the roadway.

At night, poor weather conditions can result in glare from headlights that can blind drivers and make it even harder to see the road in front of them.

Even experienced drivers can struggle to control their vehicles when weather conditions are poor.

In some cases, they may be forced to slow down, increasing the risk of an accident. In other cases, they may be caught off guard by a sudden storm or other weather-related events, leading to a head-on collision.

Head-on collisions caused by poor weather conditions often result in severe injuries or fatalities.

Common injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Brain injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Other serious injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

During inclement weather, drivers must take necessary precautions to prevent potential head-on collisions.

This may include driving slower than the posted speed limit, allowing extra space between vehicles, and using caution when changing lanes or passing other vehicles.

By practicing safe driving techniques during adverse weather conditions, drivers can reduce the risk of causing a head-on collision.

car driving in mad weather at night

 

Driving while fatigued or over the legal limit for alcohol are some of the leading causes of head-on collisions on our roadways. Drunk drivers or drivers driving while feeling fatigued are at a high risk of causing an accident that results in serious injuries or fatalities to crash victims.

Drowsy drivers may experience impaired judgment and slower reaction times. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol can experience similar effects. Impaired vision, loss of coordination, and other symptoms can make it difficult to control their vehicle.

These fatigued driving accidents result in serious injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, neck injuries, and internal organ damage, which can result in long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.

The injured party may experience emotional distress and trauma associated with the accident, which can impact their lives and those of their loved ones.

A prudent person should never get behind the wheel if they have consumed alcohol,  as doing so can lead to drunk driving accidents.

If someone is feeling fatigued, they should stop and rest before continuing to drive, and if someone has consumed alcohol or drugs, they should find a safe and responsible way to get home. [2]

Inexperienced drivers often lack the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate a vehicle on the roadways safely.

They may struggle with basic concepts such as maintaining a safe speed or staying in their own lane. They may also be unaware of common driving hazards leading to head-on collisions.

Inexperienced drivers may not recognize the signs of an oncoming vehicle or be unaware of how to pass another car on a two-lane road safely. An inexperienced driver may also be more likely to panic in a challenging or unexpected situation, leading to poor decision-making and, ultimately, a head-on collision.

Another factor contributing to inexperienced drivers causing head-on collisions is a lack of familiarity with their vehicles. New drivers may not understand how their vehicle handles or how to react in an emergency. This lack of familiarity can make it difficult for them to make split-second decisions that can prevent a head-on collision from occurring.

Inexperience often means new drivers are less confident in their driving skills, leading to nervousness and indecision on the roadways. This can be particularly dangerous when driving in high-traffic areas or inclement weather conditions.

Inexperienced drivers may be more likely to take risks behind the wheel. They may engage in behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, or driving while under the influence that can increase the risk of causing a head-on collision.

Youthful exuberance can also lead new drivers to overestimate their driving ability and engage in reckless driving behavior, such as drag racing or driving while being chased by the police. These choices can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. A fatal car accident for a young adult can devastate their family, friends, and community.

Additional training, such as defensive driving courses, can be helpful for inexperienced drivers to acquire the necessary skills for handling hazardous driving scenarios.

Educating and guiding inexperienced drivers can help prevent head-on collisions caused by inexperience and create safer roadways for all drivers and passengers.

Poorly maintained or defective roads can create hazards for drivers, such as potholes, cracks, or debris on the roadway. These dangerous road hazards can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle or swerve into oncoming traffic, leading to a head-on collision.

Poorly marked or confusing roadways can mislead drivers and lead them into oncoming lanes of traffic, a scenario that can also result in a head-on collision.

Vehicles that are improperly maintained or have defective parts can cause the driver to lose control of their car.

Faulty brakes or worn tires can prevent the driver from stopping or changing direction quickly, leading to a head-on collision. In some cases, defects in vehicles can cause them to malfunction unexpectedly, leading to an accident. If a head-on collision was caused by a defective road or unsafe vehicle, holding the responsible parties accountable for their negligence may be possible.

In these cases, the parties responsible for maintaining the roadway, such as the city or state department of transportation, or the manufacturer of a defective vehicle part, may be held accountable.

Injured people who have suffered in one of these accidents can seek fair compensation for their injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages related to the accident.

Speeding and reckless driving are common causes of head-on collisions on our roadways. When drivers speed or drive recklessly, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and cross over into another traffic lane, leading to a head-on collision.

Speeding can also make it more difficult for drivers to stop or react quickly to avoid an accident. Reckless driving behaviors such as weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, or passing in a no-pass zone can lead to head-on collisions.

Speeding or driving recklessly can have devastating consequences, including severe injuries or even fatalities, for all those involved in an accident.

Drivers who consistently engage in unsafe behaviors should be held accountable for their actions, which can entail criminal penalties, fines, and civil suits if they are found to be an at-fault party for a head-on collision. 

Statute of Limitations for A New York City Head-On Collision

The statute of limitations for a New York City head-on collision is the time limit within which head-on collision victims can file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits related to head-on collisions is typically three years.

Victims need to seek the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, as the legal process can be complex, and waiting too long to file may result in losing the right to file a lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations for A New York City Head-On Collision

Liability in Head-On Collisions

The exact liabilities in a head-on collision will depend on the accident’s circumstances.

Goldberg & Loren is a premier personal injury law firm in New York City that specializes in helping victims of head-on collisions.

We have decades of experience representing clients injured in car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and other motor vehicle accidents. 

Our accident lawyers at Goldberg & Loren understand that head-on collisions can have devastating consequences. We fight to help our clients receive the full and fair financial compensation they deserve for their injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on collision caused by another driver’s negligence, Contact Goldberg & Loren to learn more about your legal options.

Sources

[1] Bicycle Deaths – Injury Facts. (n.d.). Injury Facts.
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/bicycle-deaths/

[2] Driving While Drowsy Can Be as Dangerous As Driving While Drunk | Sleep Foundation. (2021, January 15). Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/drowsy-driving/drowsy-driving-vs-drunk-driving

Goldberg & Loren Personal Injury Attorneys

5 Columbus Cir Suite 1501
New York, NY 10019
(646) 835-0311

George Goldberg

Have you been injured in a head-on collision? We may be able to help. Find out if you have a case!

Need Help? Contact Us

Have Questions About Your Case? Call Us Today:

We're available

Get a Free Consultation

Pay Nothing, Unless We Win

"*" indicates required fields

Full Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.