If you have been involved in a side-impact collision, you know how terrifying this type of accident can be. Sometimes referred to as T-bone or broadside collisions, side-impact collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 9,000 people a year, or almost 30 percent of all vehicle fatalities, are killed in side-impact crashes.
Side impact collisions can be especially injurious and deadly for the passengers in the car that is hit. During a side-impact collision, there is little between the vehicle’s passengers and the point of impact. Seatbelts have been shown to be less effective in protecting the body from being thrown against the vehicle during side-impact collisions than they are in frontal or rear-end accidents, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
If you were injured or your vehicle was damaged in a side-impact collision, you may be owed compensation if the other driver was at fault. A Denver side-impact collisions lawyer can assist you with your car accident lawsuit. To find out more, call (844) 730-0233 to speak with the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC.
Determining Liability
In some car accident cases, liability is straightforward. If the other driver involved in your crash committed a blatant moving violation or was committing an illegal act, like driving while intoxicated, liability may be clear. In other instances, liability can be harder to determine. The at-fault driver can be in either vehicle, the one that was broadsided, or the one that crashed into the other car.
Driver behaviors that may result in a side-impact collision or other accident include:
- Making an improper turn
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, adjusting the climate controls or radio)
- Speeding
- Fatigued driving
- Failing to obey stop signs, traffic lights, and other road signs
Working with an attorney may help you prove that someone else’s negligence led to your injuries. This can result in higher insurance claims payouts or a verdict in your favor in a civil lawsuit.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, liability also could fall with:
- A manufacturer – Car accidents can be caused by problems with the vehicles involved. For example, if your brakes failed, you may have been unable to stop to avoid a crash. In these circumstances, you could have a case against the vehicle maker or an auto parts manufacturer.
- The entity in charge of the roadway – Roads and intersections that are not well designed can lead to accidents. The same is true for malfunctioning traffic lights, improper sign placement, or poor road maintenance. If problems with the road caused your accident, you may be able to seek awards from the city, county, or state responsible.
Often, car accidents are caused by a combination of factors. If your own actions contributed to your side-impact collision, an attorney can still help you argue for damages. As long as you are less than 50 percent at fault, you can seek compensation proportional to the other party’s negligence, according to C.R.S. 13-21-111.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Denver, call (844) 730-0233
Awards a Denver Side Impact Collisions Lawyer May Help You Win
You can win damages for treatment of any physical injuries you have suffered, any personal property that was damaged, and any wages you have lost if your injuries have left you unable to work. An attorney can also help you seek awards for mental and emotional harm you have suffered. If a family member died because of a side-impact collision, a lawyer can help you seek benefits on their behalf, as well as compensation for your loss.
Your settlement may include awards for:
- Vehicle replacement
- Doctor visits
- Stress
- Scarring
- Surgery
- Amputation
- Physical therapy
- Funeral costs and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium
Denver Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Knowing What to Do After a Crash
One of the first things you should do after your accident is to make sure it was reported to the authorities. If there was not an officer called to the scene, you will need to report the crash yourself. You can do this online with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
If you have not already received medical treatment, double-check yourself to be sure you are uninjured. If you show any signs of an injury caused by your crash, even if you do not notice symptoms for days or even weeks, seek medical treatment right away.
Ideally, you should have obtained the other driver’s insurance information at the time of your accident. You will need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Be prepared to provide the insurance company with basic information, but do not provide more details than necessary or make any admissions of fault.
It is a good idea to collect any documentation or evidence you have to prove your claims. You should keep track of bills for any medical treatment you received or any repairs you made to your vehicle. Pictures of your injuries or the scene of the crash may also help your case, as will any eyewitnesses who saw your accident.
Finally, consider contacting an attorney. A lawyer can guide you through the insurance claims process and attempt to negotiate an insurance settlement that benefits you. If an agreement cannot be reached through insurance, a lawyer can represent your interests in a lawsuit.
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Let Us Get Started on Your Case
Ben Crump Law, PLLC is ready to start working for you. We believe in helping accident victims stand up for their rights. Recovering from an accident is tough enough without missing work or worrying about how to pay for bills and transportation.
We do not want the pursuit of justice to become another burden. Let a Denver side-impact collisions lawyer handle the complexities of your case and work to win the compensation you may be owed.
Our services cost you nothing unless we win a settlement for you. Give our team a call at (844) 730-0233 to find out more about what Ben Crump Law, PLLC can do for you.
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