New York City Head-On Collision Lawyers
Proven trial lawyers for high-speed frontal impact and catastrophic injuries, backed by 25+ years of NYC motor vehicle experience.
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Why Hire Our NYC Head-On CollisionAccident Lawyer?
Nearly $1 Billion Won
We’ve recovered almost $1 billion for injured clients across documented cases
Largest MVA Recovery
Media Recognition
We’ve been featured in national and local outlets including the New York Post, Daily Mail, and CBS New York
No Fee Unless We Win
Because we work on a contingency fee, you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case
If you were hurt in a head-on collision in New York City, your injuries are likely severe, and the insurance company is already building a defense to limit its liability.
Led by founding trial attorney Arkady Frekhtman, the New York City head-on collision lawyers at Frekhtman & Associates bring decades of trial experience to head-on collision claims across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Our personal injury team has recovered more than $900 million for injured New Yorkers, securing multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including a landmark $69.25 million motor vehicle collision verdict.
Call (866) 288-9529 now, or if you prefer to start online, request a free consultation with one of our seasoned NYC car accident lawyers.
What Is a Head-On Collision in New York?
59% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2024 resulted from frontal-impact crashes, including head-on collisions. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, National Data)
A head-on collision is a crash in which the front of one vehicle strikes the front of another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. In New York City, this crash type can happen on parkways, highway ramps, and two-way streets, where a wrong-way entry or a lane departure can put two vehicles on a direct collision course.
The physics increases the danger. Two vehicles of similar weight colliding head-on at the same speed generate roughly the force of one vehicle striking a fixed wall at that same speed. Fault in a head-on collision is often easier to establish than in other crash types once the physical evidence, including final resting positions and skid marks, shows which vehicle crossed into the other’s lane.
Who's Liable in a New York Head-On Collision?
Liability usually turns on proving which driver left their lane. That proof can come from camera footage, vehicle event data recorders, witnesses, and the responding officer’s accident report.
The most common causes we see in NYC head-on cases include:
- Improper passing across a double yellow line on a two-lane roadway
- Wrong-way entry onto a one-way street, highway ramp, or parkway
- Distracted driving, including phone use, covered in more detail on our distracted driver accident page
- Drunk, drugged, or drowsy driving that causes a vehicle to cross the centerline
- Loss of control from excessive speed on curves or wet roadway
Under New York law, crossing into oncoming traffic without a legal excuse, such as a sudden emergency the driver did not create, can establish negligence on its own. A criminal conviction such as DWI is admissible as prima facie evidence of the facts behind it. A guilty plea to a traffic ticket can be used against the driver as an admission, though the driver may try to explain it.
New York's 2026 Law Change: What It Means for Your Head-On Collision Claim
New York changed the rules for motor vehicle injury claims effective May 26, 2026. Three of its amendments now govern what you must prove and what you can recover.
The legislature repealed the 90/180-day non-permanent injury category under Insurance Law § 5102(d). Your injury must now fall into one of the remaining categories: death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, fracture, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of use, permanent consequential limitation, or significant limitation of use. A soft-tissue injury that would have qualified last year may no longer clear the threshold.
New CPLR § 1411(b) bars recovery if your fault is greater than the fault of the defendant you sue, or the combined fault of all defendants when you sue more than one. Before this change, you could recover a reduced amount no matter your share of fault. That safety net is gone for motor vehicle injury claims, which makes early evidence collection critical when each driver says the other crossed the centerline.
Amended Insurance Law § 5104(a) requires the trier of fact, typically a jury, to decide fault first, then the serious injury threshold, then damages, in that order.
These changes apply to actions commenced on or after May 26, 2026. If your case was already filed, the prior law still applies to you.
Source: Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2026 (Assembly Bill A10008-C), Part EE, FY 2026-27 Enacted Budget
Do not wait to protect your claim
Call (866) 288-9529 now for a free, no-obligation case review under New York’s current law.
Compensation Available in a Car Accident Claim
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment for more serious injuries
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: income missed during recovery, and the projected gap if your injury limits future earnings
- Property Damage: vehicle repair or replacement, recoverable regardless of injury severity
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering: physical pain, permanent limitations, disfigurement, and emotional distress from your injury
When a collision is fatal, our wrongful death attorneys in NYC help surviving families pursue compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the documented financial impact of that loss on surviving family members and dependents.
For a detailed discussion of what your specific claim may be worth, see how to estimate the value of your personal injury case.
Proven Results in Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
Motor Vehicle Accident
Motor Vehicle Head Trauma Verdict
Auto Accident Verdict, Brain Injury
Motor Vehicle Accident
Past results do not guarantee any future outcome, and every case is different.
Types of Injuries in a Head-On Collision
The force of a head-on impact causes injuries that are often more severe than those of other crash types, even at moderate speeds.
Traumatic brain injury
From the head striking the steering wheel, window, or airbag. Our brain injury page covers diagnosis and case valuation in depth.
Whiplash and neck injuries
From the violent forward-and-back motion of impact. See our whiplash injuries page for symptoms and treatment.
Fractures
Especially to the legs, knees, and ribs from dashboard and steering column impact
Internal organ damage
From the seatbelt’s restraining force during a high-speed stop
Facial lacerations and disfigurement
From shattered glass and airbag deployment
I had a car accident that caused a severe back injury and I must say that Arkady and Jennifer have been polite — along with the entire team — they keep in touch with me even texting or giving me his personal cell number. This allows me to feel confident my case is being handled the right way with unparalleled support and communication. Jennifer is also very meticulous in taking care of legal issues that are bound to come up. The case is moving quickly and we already have substantial settlement offers from the insurance company. I strongly recommend this law firm.
What to Do After a Head-On Collision in New York
Your actions in the first hours after a head-on collision directly affect your claim.
For a full walkthrough of what to document and how, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
A minor car accident with no injuries and only vehicle damage does not require a lawyer. If you were injured at all, gaps in your medical records can lower what an insurer offers, so prompt treatment and legal advice can protect the claim’s value. Read our guide to hiring a lawyer for a minor car accident for details on when legal help pays off.
Who Is At Fault in a New York Head-On Collision?
Usually the driver who crossed into the oncoming lane, unless that driver faced a sudden emergency they did not create. Physical evidence and witness accounts help show which driver crossed the centerline.
Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partly at Fault for My New York Head-On Car Accident?
Yes, unless your fault outweighs theirs. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For lawsuits filed on or after May 26, 2026, regardless of the crash date, recovery is barred if your fault exceeds the combined fault of everyone you sue, meaning more than 50% against one defendant.
Do I Need a Police Report to File a Claim?
No. New York law does not require a police report to file an injury or no-fault claim, but the report is often the strongest early record of fault. Call 911 at the scene, and request a copy of the report before you file.
How Long Do I Have to File a Head-On Collision Claim?
Generally three years from the crash under CPLR § 214. Claims involving a City vehicle or MTA bus usually require a notice of claim within 90 days, and no-fault benefits generally require written notice within 30 days. Missing a deadline can end your claim. See our guide to New York’s car accident statute of limitations for exceptions that may apply to your claim.
Free Case Review With Our NY Head-On Collision Lawyer
Talking to us costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Tell us what happened. Our injury attorneys serving NYC will tell you honestly whether you have a claim, what it may be worth under New York’s current law, and what your next step should be.
Call Frekhtman & Associates at (866) 288-9529, or submit the consultation form. There is no obligation, and no fee unless we recover compensation
The Right Representation Near You
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. We have our office located all over New York City, so you don’t have to worry about office visits. You can find and visit one of our offices near you.