Side impact collisions occur when the driver of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. These accidents vary in severity, from minor collision to devastating crash. In some cases, these accidents can have fatal consequences.
The survivors of side-impact collisions often face a lifetime of physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Recovering from severe injuries can be a long process and take a toll on the injured party and their family.
If you have suffered injuries in a side-impact crash through no fault of your own, you could receive financial compensation. Liability is often apparent in these cases, which increases the chances of a substantial financial recovery.
To learn more about your options following a crash, reach out to a Miami side-impact collisions lawyer who could provide a better understanding of the value of your claim. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 for your free case review.
Types of Side Impact Collisions
Side impact collisions take two general forms: T-bone and sideswipe accidents.
T-Bone Accidents
A T-bone collision occurs when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another. This type of accident earned its name from the “T” shape the two cars form when looking at them from above.
These crashes commonly occur at intersections where one driver fails to yield to a stop sign or traffic control device. The driver who fails to yield could strike the car with the right of way on its side or get struck itself while passing through the intersection illegally.
These accidents can occur for a multitude of reasons. Drivers can run a red light due to inattention, but it can also occur due to other facts. Those factors could include anything from intoxication to aggressive driving. T-bone crashes also occur when a motorist attempts to turn left out of a parking lot on a busy roadway.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents occur when the side panel of one vehicle collides with the side of another. These accidents typically generate much less force than a T-bone crash, but that does not mean the resulting accident will be any less severe. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), nearly 1,000 motor vehicle fatalities resulted from sideswipe accidents in 2017 alone.
Sideswipe accidents typically occur on multilane roads with two vehicles traveling side-by-side. These collisions often happen when one driver tries to change lanes or loses control of their vehicle, striking another car traveling in the next lane. Aggressive drivers weaving through traffic are also a common cause for this type of side-impact crash.
While the impact from these collisions might not be severe in most cases, an impact to the side of a moving vehicle can send it spinning out of control. Sometimes, a side impact can cause a car to leave the roadway and crash.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Miami, call (844) 730-0233
Common Injuries
Given how much one side-impact collision can vary from another, it should come as no surprise that the potential injuries in this type of accident also differ substantially. Some side-impact collisions result in little more than minor cuts and bruises. Others cause much more serious consequences.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), side-impact collisions are a major factor in fatal rollover accidents. In 2018 alone, 16 percent of all fatalities in rollover crashes stemmed from a side-impact collision.
Nonfatal injuries are far more prominent in these collisions. The severity of these injuries can drastically alter an accident victim’s life—permanently, in many cases. Some common injuries include:
- Head trauma: Potential head injuries that can come from a side-impact crash include concussions or other traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck and spinal injuries: An impact to the neck or back can cause severe pain, broken bones, and even paralysis.
- Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when a force causes a person’s head to whip in one direction before snapping back the opposite way. This motion can result in strained and torn tissue in the neck.
- Lacerations: It is not uncommon for damaged steel or broken glass in these accidents to result in deep cuts and gashes.
- Burns: Many serious car accidents can result in a fire. When they do, the potential for burn injuries is always present.
- Internal bleeding: Not all accident injuries present themselves immediately. Internal bleeding is possible in many severe side-impact collisions.
The time and cost required to treat any of these injuries can become substantial. A Miami side-impact collisions lawyer could help during every stage of your injury claim to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to speak with a team member about your case.
Miami Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Potential Compensation for Your Injury Claim
Florida is a no-fault state regarding motor vehicle crashes. Under Florida Statutes § 627.7407, you must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and file any claim first through your insurance company after an accident.
However, Florida Statutes § 627.737 allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit if your damages exceed your PIP policy limits or you suffer significant and permanent injury.
Recovering compensation for your injuries is the ultimate goal of a side impact accident claim. This compensation can come in multiple forms. In general, an injury claim focuses on two types of damages: economic and noneconomic.
Economic damages compensate an accident victim for their measurable financial losses. You can prove the value of your economic losses using evidence like bills or invoices. Examples include pay stubs documenting lost income, medical bills, and repair invoices for property damage.
Noneconomic losses compensate the victim for their subjective losses. These include difficult-to-quantify damages like pain and suffering or the loss of consortium. Because of the lack of documentary evidence to establish their value, a personal injury attorney uses one of several formulas to calculate noneconomic compensation.
Click to contact our Miami Car Accident Lawyers today
You Could Recover Monetary Damages Following a Miami Side-Impact Accident
Following a side-impact crash, you must seek medical treatment right away. You should focus on your health and recovering from your injuries, but you do not want to lose sight of your potential personal injury claim. Florida Statutes § 95.11 gives you four years after your accident to file your lawsuit, which might seem like a lot of time until you factor in your recovery time and how long it takes to build a case.
A Miami side-impact collisions lawyer can evaluate your case and assist you with negotiating a settlement with insurance adjusters. If a settlement is not an option, they can file a lawsuit on your behalf. To move forward with your claim, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review with a team member.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
