Side-impact collisions can occur either as sideswiping accidents or T-bone accidents in which one driver hits another either while driving next to them (sideswiping) or perpendicularly (T-bone). Both cases of side-impact collisions can cause severe injuries and damage.
While seatbelts save lives, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, they often do not provide security in the same way in side-impact collisions. Also, airbags located on the side do not always deploy due to the rapid and unexpected events that proceed with a side-impact collision, as the research published in the Injury Epidemiology Journal indicates.
If you experienced a side-impact collision, take a moment to visit with a Long Beach side-impact collisions lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 to learn more about your legal rights.
Understanding the Dangers of Side-Impact Collisions
While head-on collisions and rollover accidents often seem as if they would produce the greatest injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s research asserts that side-impact collisions cause more catastrophic injuries to victims and deaths than any other accident on the roadways.
Sideswiping Collisions
The sideswiping side-impact collision can occur when one vehicle merges into a different lane and unexpectedly hits the side of their vehicle with the side of another vehicle moving in a similar direction. In many cases, these accidents occur at high speeds and result in serious injuries and losses. In some cases, the sideswiping accidents occur when lanes of traffic merge, such as when on- and off-ramps merge onto lanes of fast-moving traffic.
T-Bone Collisions
The other type of side-impact collision is called a T-bone collision. It happens when one vehicle crashes into another perpendicularly. This type of accident often occurs at intersections, where one driver fails to fully stop at a red light or stop sign or does not notice oncoming traffic when they need to yield. In other cases, a driver simply speeds too fast to properly stop at an intersection resulting in a T-bone collision.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Long Beach, call (844) 730-0233
Causes of Side-Impact Collisions
In many cases, a side-impact collision occurs because of driver negligence. The following can cause side-impact collisions:
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy or fatigued
- Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (drugs or alcohol)
- Operating a motor vehicle too fast under inclement weather conditions
- Driving dangerous or too fast making it hard to stop for an animal in the roadway
- Manufacturing defects
Other than the last example, every one of the causes of these side-impact collisions resulted from driver negligence. Proving negligence can be a tricky and complicated endeavor. If you suffered injuries or losses from a side-impact collision, you could learn about legal rights by speaking with our legal team. We can help you understand how to build a strong personal injury case and conduct an investigation to determine liability and how a Long Beach side-impact collisions lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you with all of these issues.
Long Beach Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
How Victims Receive Justice After a Side-Impact Collision
Your side-impact collision has unique circumstances and facts that differ from other side-impact collisions. Your injuries and losses will also differ from others who experienced a side-impact collision. However, there are types of compensation side-impact collision victims have a legal right to pursue. Some of these types of compensation are for actual out-of-pocket expenses. In other cases, the compensation attempts to make a victim whole again after their pain and suffering. Learn more about the following types of compensation you may be able to pursue after your side-impact collision.
Medical Costs
Medical costs and expenses following a side-impact collision can include the following:
- Ambulance costs for transportation to the hospital
- Emergency room treatments, including medications and diagnostic testing
- Diagnostic testing
- Hospitalizations
- Medical treatments
- Prescription medications
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Surgery
- Medical devices or equipment
- Psychological counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Future medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Costs associated with in-home care, including housekeeping or medical care due to the inability of the victim to help themselves in these areas
Lost Wages
Lost wages may include much more than salary or hourly wages. Lost wages may include:
- W-2 wage compensation lost
- Expected bonuses lost
- Expected promotional lost
- Loss of training and promotional potential
- Lost employee benefits
- Lost contributions to pension and retirement plans
- Used vacation and sick leave
- Lost vacation and sick leave
- Loss of future wages if the victim remains unable to return to any kind of gainful employment due to injuries from the side-impact collision
Property Loss
Any losses related to the repair and replacement of a vehicle or the contents of a vehicle have the right to receive compensation under a personal injury claim or lawsuit related to a side-impact collision.
Pain and Suffering
Many side-impact collision victims have extreme pain and suffering related to their injuries. As a result, they can pursue compensation related to these injuries. While no compensation will ever make a victim completely whole again, it could compensate them in some way for their physical and emotional loss and pain related to their suffering.
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Learn How a Long Beach Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Can Work with You
There are many ways a Long Beach side-impact collisions lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help victims of side-impact collisions. Learn more by calling us at (844) 730-0233 and speaking with our team today to learn more about your legal rights. If you hire us, we take no upfront fees from you. We receive payment only if we win a financial award for you.
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