Boston Head-On Collision Lawyer
Injured in a head-on collision in Boston, MA? Discover how a Boston head-on collision lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation.
A head-on collision is one of the few crashes where the laws of physics almost guarantee catastrophic injury. On Boston roads like the Jamaicaway and Morrissey Boulevard, or at a wrong-way ramp entry onto I-93, one driver crossing into oncoming traffic can leave drivers and passengers facing months of hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and a lifetime of adjustment. Many survivors cannot work while the medical bills pile up, and the at-fault driver's insurance company is already looking for ways to pay as little as possible.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our car accident attorneys specializing in head-on collision claims have represented seriously injured people and grieving families throughout Massachusetts for more than 30 years. Every case is handled directly by one of our three founding partners, Marc L. Breakstone, David W. White, and Ronald E. Gluck, each AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized by Best Lawyers and among the Top 100 Massachusetts and New England Super Lawyers. We prepare every head-on collision case for trial, working with accident reconstruction experts to show exactly how the crash happened and to push back when insurers try to minimize your claim.
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how our head-on collision attorneys in Boston can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
Why Hire Breakstone, White & Gluck?
We have recovered more than $400 million for injured clients throughout Massachusetts. The firm's three founding partners, Marc Breakstone, David White, and Ronald Gluck, personally handle every case from the first call through the final resolution. Your case will never be handed to a junior associate.
We are selective about the cases we accept. That focus allows us to dedicate the full weight of our experience and resources to every client we represent.
- Partner-handled cases: You work directly with a founding partner, not a paralegal, not an associate attorney.
- Trial-ready preparation: We build every case for the courtroom. When a case goes to trial, our attorneys use advanced digital trial technology, interactive exhibits, and computer reenactments to help juries understand complex injuries and liability issues.
- Peer-recognized credentials: All three partners hold the AV Preeminent rating, the highest designation for legal ability and ethics, and have been named Top 100 Super Lawyers in Massachusetts and New England.
Our verdicts, settlements, and client reviews reflect our reputation. We don't buy billboards or advertise on TV.
Call (866) 313-3150 for a free case review.
“I knew that Ron had my best interests at heart, and that I could trust him to help me make the right decision.” – Katelyn Ludwig
What to Do After a Head-On Crash in Boston
The actions you take immediately after a crash can affect the strength of your claim.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention Immediately
Go to the emergency room even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks serious injuries. Symptoms of spinal damage, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries often do not appear until hours after impact.
Document the Scene If You Can Safely Do So
Photograph both vehicles, skid marks, debris, and road conditions before anything is moved. Collect the name, plate number, and contact information of any witnesses.
Decline Recorded Statements from the Other Insurer
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company. Politely decline and call an attorney first. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.
Call Us Before You Repair or Scrap Your Vehicle
Your car likely contains an event data recorder (EDR), commonly called a "black box," that stores speed, braking, and steering data from the moments before impact. We send evidence preservation letters immediately to lock in this data and any available surveillance footage before it is overwritten.
Who Pays After a Head-On Collision in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state. After a crash, your own auto policy pays your initial medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), up to $8,000, regardless of who caused the crash.
In a serious head-on collision, that amount is typically exhausted at the hospital. To recover full compensation, including pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, and future medical care, you must file a claim against the at-fault driver's bodily injury liability coverage.
If the at-fault driver carried little or no insurance, we pursue your own uninsured motorist coverage, which every Massachusetts auto policy includes, and your underinsured motorist coverage if you purchased it. In cases involving an intoxicated driver, we also investigate dram shop liability against the bar or restaurant that overserved them.
One pattern we consistently see in Boston head-on collision claims is that the at-fault driver's insurance runs out long before the medical bills do. Massachusetts requires only $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage for policies written or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, and a trauma admission at Boston Medical Center or Mass General after a front-to-front crash can pass that figure quickly. That is why we look for every layer of coverage early, including our client's own underinsured motorist coverage, an employer's commercial policy if the other driver was on the job, and any umbrella policy. Finding those layers early often decides whether a family is left with a capped recovery or full compensation.
What Damages Can You Recover?
A successful claim compensates you for every way this crash has changed your life, not just what you have already paid out of pocket.
You may be entitled to recover for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, physical therapy, and long-term care
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Wrongful death damages, including loss of companionship, lost income, and funeral costs
Our results show what experienced trial lawyers can achieve. Our motor vehicle results include $56,000,000 for a 78-year-old Newburyport man catastrophically injured in a head-on collision with an Amazon delivery van, $477,989 for a client who suffered a brain hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury in a high-speed head-on collision, and $7,100,000 for a pedestrian who suffered a leg amputation after an MBTA bus struck her in a crosswalk.
In our experience handling head-on collision cases in Boston, the injury insurers dispute most often is a traumatic brain injury that was overshadowed by fractures in the emergency room. Clients treated at Boston Medical Center or Beth Israel Deaconess for broken bones and internal injuries often notice memory, concentration, or mood problems only after they return home. Adjusters point to that gap to argue the symptoms are unrelated to the crash. We work with neurologists and neuropsychologists to tie those symptoms to the force of the collision and to document the cost of future care.
How Fault Works in a Massachusetts Head-On Collision
Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence rule. Under M.G.L. c. 231, §85, you can recover compensation as long as you were 50% or less at fault for the crash, with your recovery reduced by your share of responsibility.
Liability in a head-on crash is often clear: a driver who crossed the center line, entered a highway the wrong way, was impaired, or fell asleep. Even so, insurers routinely try to shift blame onto you to cut their payout. We retain accident reconstruction experts to prove exactly how the crash happened and who was responsible.
Disputed liability? Call (866) 313-3150 before speaking to any insurer.
“Marc is a skilled professional…When my case required attention Marc kept me focused and informed. When my case required tough negotiating, Marc delivered.” – Bob Powell
What Evidence Proves a Head-On Collision Claim?
Strong cases require strong evidence. From the moment you hire us, we pursue every available source:
- Police crash reports and officer notes from the scene
- EDR data: speed, braking force, and steering inputs recorded by both vehicles
- Traffic camera, dashcam, and business security footage
- Cell phone records showing whether the driver was calling or texting at the moment of impact
- Toxicology results confirming impairment
- Expert analysis from accident reconstructionists and biomechanical engineers
Surveillance footage at nearby businesses is often retained only briefly, so we act immediately to preserve any available recordings.
How Long Does a Head-On Collision Case Take?
Case timelines depend on your injury severity and whether the insurer contests liability. Cases in which fault is clear and medical treatment is complete may resolve relatively quickly once treatment ends. Serious injury cases that involve expert depositions, litigation, and possible jury trials can take many months or longer to resolve.
We advise waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), the point at which your doctors confirm your condition has stabilized, before accepting any settlement. Settling too early forfeits your right to compensation for complications that have not yet appeared.
Trucks, Government Vehicles, and Wrongful Death
Commercial truck crashes can involve federal safety regulations administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), commercial insurance coverage, and corporate defendants represented by experienced legal counsel.
If a government vehicle caused the collision, such as an MBTA bus or municipal truck, claims fall under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act, which requires a formal written presentment within two years and generally caps damages at $100,000. Claims for serious bodily injury against the MBTA are an exception and are not subject to that cap.
If a family member was killed, surviving family can file a wrongful death claim under M.G.L. c. 229, §2. Recoverable damages include lost income, loss of companionship, funeral costs, and compensation for the pain and suffering your loved one endured before their death.
Where Do Head-On Crashes Happen in the Boston Area?
Head-on collisions are most common on undivided roads and at highway access points where impaired or disoriented drivers enter traffic going the wrong direction. High-risk locations around Boston include:
- Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive
- The Jamaicaway and VFW Parkway
- Morrissey Boulevard
- Commonwealth Avenue
- Wrong-way ramp entries onto I-93, the Mass Pike (I-90), and Route 1
What we see across the head-on collision claims we handle in Boston is that the older parkways come up again and again. Curving roads like the Jamaicaway and Morrissey Boulevard leave little room for error when a tired, distracted, or impaired driver drifts out of the lane. Many Boston parkways are controlled by state agencies rather than the City of Boston, and when road design may have played a role, a claim against a public employer must be presented in writing within two years under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act. We confirm who controls the road at the start of every case so that deadline is never missed.
How Long Do You Have to File?
The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims in Massachusetts is three years from the date of the crash under M.G.L. c. 260, §2A. Claims against government entities carry even shorter notice requirements. Missing either deadline permanently ends your right to recover.
Call (866) 313-3150 now. This deadline cannot be extended.
Do You Need a Boston Head-On Collision Lawyer?
Head-on collisions are among the most violent crashes on Massachusetts roads. When two vehicles strike front-to-front, the combined force commonly causes traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and death, injuries far more devastating than most other car accidents produce.
If you were seriously hurt, an experienced Boston head-on collision lawyer is not optional. Insurance companies move fast to protect their interests, evidence disappears within days, and the at-fault driver's insurer is already working to minimize your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I File With My Own Insurance or the At-Fault Driver's Insurance?
You file with both. Your PIP coverage, through your own policy, pays your initial medical bills and partial lost wages. Your claim for pain and suffering and all other damages beyond PIP is filed against the at-fault driver's liability insurance.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Not Wearing a Seat Belt?
Yes. Massachusetts law limits how a defendant can use seat belt non-use against you in court, but the defense may argue your injuries were worsened. We know how to counter that argument.
What Happens to My Claim If the At-Fault Driver Died in the Crash?
Your right to compensation is not affected by the other driver's death. The claim proceeds against their estate and auto insurance policy exactly as it otherwise would.
Can My Spouse File a Separate Loss of Consortium Claim?
Yes. Loss of consortium, the legal term for the harm your injuries cause to your marital relationship, is a claim your spouse can bring alongside your own, and in some cases, your children may also have a claim.
Can I Collect Workers' Compensation and Still Sue the At-Fault Driver?
Yes. If the crash happened while you were on the job, workers' compensation covers your medical bills and a portion of your wages. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver for damages workers' comp does not cover, including pain and suffering.
Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?
No. Initial offers rarely reflect the true value of a serious injury claim. Future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and ongoing pain all factor into a fair settlement. Calculating those numbers accurately requires time and expertise.
“There is no question about this: If any family member or friend needs a great lawyer, I will refer them to David White.” – Walid Dehni
Contact Breakstone, White & Gluck
Your job right now is to get better. Our job is everything else: investigating the crash, dealing with the insurance companies, and building the strongest possible case for the compensation you and your family deserve.
We represent every client on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win, and we advance all costs of your case.
Call (866) 313-3150 or contact us online for a free consultation and discover how our head-on collision attorneys can help with your case.