Head On Car Accident Lawyer in Queens, NY

A head-on collision is one of the most frightening types of car accidents. People who survive these accidents may face a lengthy recovery and months of rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Some accident victims are left with disabling injuries. When head-on collisions occur, it is almost always because someone made a driving error or failed to act responsibly.

The costs of medical treatment after a car collision may quickly exceed the coverage provided by your New York no-fault Personal Injury Protection insurance. You should not be stuck with medical bills and the loss of wages after a serious accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You may have a right to file a claim against the driver who caused the head-on collision.

The attorneys at the Tadchiev Law Firm, based in Queens, can help you hold the at-fault party financially accountable and seek fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. Contact our Queens car accident attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.

What To Do After a Head On Car Accident

To give yourself the best chance of recovering compensation after a head-on car accident, you should:

Report the accident to NYC police
Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, and contact information
Document the crash scene by taking pictures with your phone and getting the names of any eyewitnesses
See a doctor and get medical treatment for your injuries as soon as possible
Hold on to all your medical records, receipts, and other evidence of the injuries you’ve suffered in the accident
Don’t give a statement to the other party’s insurance until you’ve discussed the situation with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney

Why You Should Seek Legal Help After a Head On Car Accident

Here are a few reasons that you should hire a car accident lawyer in New York if you’ve been involved in a collision:

If you suffered severe or catastrophic injuries after a head-on crash, you’re in no condition to battle insurance companies on your own. You need to focus on recovering from your injuries. While you’re healing, an experienced head-on accident attorney can investigate the crash and gather evidence to prove the other driver’s liability.
An attorney can help you navigate New York’s insurance laws. Under state law, you can’t file a lawsuit against another driver after a crash unless your injuries meet specific standards of seriousness. A car accident lawyer can help you understand New York’s no-fault insurance laws and whether your injuries allow you to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
Experienced injury lawyers know what evidence to seek after a head-on accident. You’ll need clear evidence showing how the other driver caused the crash. You’ll need documentation of all the financial losses you’ve suffered.
Most car accident claims are resolved through negotiated settlements rather than through trials. It’s important to have an experienced lawyer negotiate on your behalf. Otherwise, you risk being taken advantage of by the insurance company representatives. A skilled attorney will seek a settlement that covers all of your current and future expenses.
If you have lost a loved one in a head-on collision, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you evaluate whether you are entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking justice on behalf of your relative.
You need a personal injury attorney who has litigation experience. Sometimes, the at-fault driver’s insurer will dispute the car accident claim and refuse to offer a fair settlement for injuries suffered in a devastating head-on crash. If this happens, your lawyer may advise you to file a lawsuit. Having a car accident lawyer with trial experience will be crucial. Your attorney will prepare the injury case for trial and ask the court to order the insurance company to pay for your accident-related losses.

What Is a Head On Collision?

A head-on collision occurs when the front ends of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. These car accidents represent a small percentage of overall crashes, but a disproportionate share of fatal accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that head-on collisions account for about 3 percent of all crashes, but about 11 percent of fatal accidents.

Head-on collisions often happen when both vehicles are traveling at higher speeds, which increases the force of the impact. More forceful car accidents are more likely to cause severe injuries or death.

Most modern vehicles have crumple zones designed to absorb much of the impact of a crash. At higher speeds, a head-on collision can still cause the front of a car to intrude into the passenger compartment, often causing devastating injuries.

Common Places Where Head On Collisions Occur

Head-on accidents are more likely to occur at:

Intersections — A driver waiting to make a left turn at an intersection may misjudge the speed of a vehicle coming from the opposite direction and collide with the vehicle.
Stoplights — Drivers who run red lights or fail to yield to drivers that have the right of way can collide with other drivers coming toward them.
Controlled access highways — Drivers who are confused or intoxicated may travel against traffic on an interstate, leading to a head-on collision. Wrong-way accidents are more likely to occur at night and often cause fatalities.
Highways without medians — A median can help prevent head-on car accidents by creating a barrier between traffic moving in opposite directions. On two-lane roads and highways with no medians, a drowsy or inattentive driver may drift across the centerline and crash head-on into another vehicle.

Causes of Head On Collisions

Head-on collisions in Queens happen for many reasons, including:

Impaired driving — Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and move into the path of other drivers coming toward them. Impaired drivers are more likely to ignore a stoplight or fail to yield to a driver who has the right of way, increasing their risk of a collision.
Distracted driving — Drivers who are distracted put themselves and others in increased danger of a head-on collision. A driver who is talking on the phone, sending a text message, or dealing with other distractions might miss a stop sign or street light. Distracted drivers can cross the center line and end up in the path of vehicles coming the other way.
Driving while fatigued — Severe fatigue affects drivers in many of the same ways as driving while impaired. Tired drivers will experience delayed reaction times, impaired judgment, and might even fall asleep at the wheel.
Poor visibility/bad weather — Drivers who don’t reduce their speed to account for poor visibility or bad weather conditions are more likely to be involved in a head-on collision. A driver who doesn’t reduce their speed may hydroplane on a wet road. The loss of control of the vehicle may lead to a head-on collision.
Improper passing — If drivers aren’t careful when passing another vehicle, they can find themselves in the path of oncoming traffic without any way to get out of the way in time to avoid a collision.

Head-on car accidents often result in severe injuries, including:

Traumatic brain injuries
Neck and spinal cord injuries
Back injuries
Internal organ damage
Internal bleeding
Soft-tissue damage
Burns
Broken bones
PTSD and other mental health disorders

Who Is At Fault in a Head On Collision?

New York’s no-fault insurance laws require you to file a claim for medical bills against your own Personal Injury Protection policy. You cannot file a personal injury lawsuit unless you’ve incurred more than $50,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, or you can prove you’ve suffered serious injuries”

The law defines serious injuries as those involving bone fractures, loss of a limb, disfigurement, permanent loss of an organ, or other injuries that prevent you from taking part in your usual activities.

Your compensation after an accident is limited to your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under your auto insurance policy unless you can meet the standard for a serious injury.

A car accident lawyer at the Tadchiev Law Firm can help you seek the evidence and medical documents you’ll need to file a personal injury claim against the other driver after a head-on crash.

If you can prove your injuries meet the standard to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York, you may seek compensation for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Diminished earning potential
Reduced quality of life
Damaged personal property
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

Our Trusted Head On Car Accident Lawyers in Queens Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a head-on collision in Queens, help is just a phone call away. The Queens car crash attorneys at the Tadchiev Law Firm have the legal skills, experience, and resources that you’ll want on your side to hold another driver financially accountable for a severe injury accident. Let us help you seek justice. Contact us now for a free consultation.