A side-impact collision happens when one vehicle strikes the side of another at a right angle. That type of crash can cause devastating injuries for a person who is seated near the point of impact. Since there is no strong structural barrier on the side of a vehicle to offer protection, a person who is in that area may suffer catastrophic harm, such as head trauma, brain damage, back and neck injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and lost limbs.
If you were hurt in a side-impact collision, you may have been rushed to a hospital and may have undergone one or more surgeries. You may have spent time in the intensive care unit, and now you may have to undergo months of physical and occupational therapy to regain your strength and ability to walk and do other basic tasks. You may have suffered permanent injuries that will require care for the rest of your life, either at home or in a nursing home.
You may recover and be able to return to your job eventually, at least in some capacity. You may not be able to perform all the duties you used to handle, and you may only be able to work part-time. Your income may be dramatically reduced because of the limitations on your ability to work.
If you had a job that was physically demanding, you might never be able to work in that field again. You may be trying to figure out another way to earn a living and support your family. If you do not have training and experience in another field, your options may be limited, unless you pursue education to prepare you for an entirely new career.
The pain and loss of independence caused by your injuries, the financial costs, worries about how your family will get by, and fears of what the future will hold may be taking a serious mental and emotional toll on you and your loved ones. You may be struggling to make it through each day, and members of your family may be unsure how to help you cope and move forward.
A Charlotte side-impact collisions lawyer may be able to help. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, has represented many people in North Carolina and across the United States who were seriously harmed in car accidents and helped them seek justice.
We may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who was liable for the crash to seek compensation for your past and future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Call our office today at (844) 730-0233 to speak with a member of our team.
How a Side-Impact Collision Occurs
Side impact crashes often happen when one driver does not yield the right-of-way as required, and two vehicles collide in an intersection. That may happen if a driver is speeding and runs a red light, if a motorist is distracted by a cellphone and enters an intersection instead of stopping, or if a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs.
A motorist may enter an intersection unintentionally. A driver may lose control of their vehicle if the road is slippery because of rain, snow, or ice. The driver may try to brake but may instead slide into the intersection. A motorist may also lose control of a vehicle if it has a design flaw, a manufacturing defect, or a worn-out, damaged, or defective part.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Charlotte, call (844) 730-0233
Liability for a Side-Impact Crash
Sometimes it is clear how a side-impact collision occurred and who is responsible. If one driver admitted to running a red light, if multiple eyewitnesses say the driver failed to stop, or if a surveillance camera recorded video of the driver not stopping as required, it can be easy to prove that that individual was liable.
In many cases, though, things are not that simple. The two drivers may give differing accounts, and there may not be any witnesses or video footage to back up either person’s claim. In that case, it may be necessary to investigate and to request assistance from an accident reconstruction expert to figure out what happened.
If there is reason to suspect that the driver lost control because of a problem with the vehicle, a thorough investigation may reveal what happened and who was responsible. Independent motor vehicle experts may be able to figure out whether the accident occurred because the owner did not properly maintain the car, because a part was defective, because a repair was performed incorrectly, or because there was a problem with the vehicle’s design that made it inherently unsafe.
Charlotte Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
How a Charlotte Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Can Help You?
The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can investigate to figure out how the accident happened and who was liable.
We can begin by reviewing the police report and by speaking with you, passengers who were in your car at the time of the accident, and any witnesses who saw the crash. We can also find out if there were any traffic or surveillance cameras nearby that recorded the accident. If so, that evidence may help us definitively determine what happened.
If the other driver was clearly liable, we may file a personal injury lawsuit against that individual. If we have reason to believe that someone else, such as a vehicle manufacturer or a mechanic, may be responsible, we may sue that party on your behalf.
The individual or entity that was liable for the accident may deny any responsibility or may say that your actions contributed to the crash in some way. Since North Carolina has a contributory negligence law, you may not be entitled to compensation if you are found to be even 1% at fault, according to North Carolina General Statutes (GS) §1-139.
Gathering as much evidence as possible may help us dispute claims that you were responsible for the collision and pursue the compensation you deserve.
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GS §1-52 sets the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit at three years. That may seem like a lot of time, but it may take a Charlotte side-impact collisions lawyer months to conduct a thorough investigation, and then the legal team will have to prepare and file a lawsuit.
If you do not sue within the statute of limitations, you may lose your right to seek a financial award. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 so we can begin working on your case as soon as possible.
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