A side impact collision occurs when one vehicle strikes the side of another. These accidents can occur in a variety of ways. From intersection collisions to sideswipes on the highway, these accidents have the potential to result in serious bodily injuries.
If you suffered injuries in a side impact crash, you are entitled to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. The process of recovering a monetary award through a civil lawsuit is long and challenging. A Portland side impact collisions lawyer could guide you through the litigation process from start to finish.
To learn more, call (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation with Ben Crump Law, PLLC.
The Nature of Side Impact Collisions
Side impact collisions fall into two broad categories: broadside and T-bone crashes. While the circumstances surrounding each collision differ, both types of crashes have the potential to result in severe injuries.
Broadside Accidents
A broadside collision—also known as a sideswipe—involves the sides of two motor vehicles striking each other. This type of accident is most common when two vehicles collide while traveling parallel. Sideswipes can happen when one driver attempts to change lanes without realizing they are next to another vehicle.
Broadside accidents do not always result in severe injuries. In some cases, these collisions result in little more than scratched paint and bent fenders. Unfortunately, these accidents have the potential to send one or both drivers spinning out of control. This could result in a devastating accident with severe injuries.
T-Bone Accidents
T-Bone accidents are typically the more violent of the two types of side impact collisions. A T-Bone accident occurs when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. Together, these vehicles make the shape of the letter “T.”
These accidents are particularly dangerous for multiple reasons. For starters, the side panels of a car or truck typically have less capacity to absorb the impact of a collision compared to the front or back end of a vehicle. Second, these accidents often occur at high speed. They are most common in cases where one driver enters an intersection or roadway illegally, striking a vehicle in the intersection that had the right of way. These collisions are especially common in cases where one driver runs a red light or stop sign.
For a free legal consultation with a side impact collisions lawyer serving Portland, call (844) 730-0233
Injuries in Side Impact Crashes
The consequences of a side impact crash can be severe. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), side impact collisions account for approximately 23 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths in 2018 alone.
These accidents may account for thousands of fatalities each year, but the number of non-fatal injuries caused by side impacts is much greater. Many people injured in side impact collisions suffer long-term and even permanent consequences. Some of those injuries include:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord damage
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Internal bleeding
- Eye injuries
- Whiplash
Each of these injuries could result in a viable claim for monetary compensation following a side impact collision. If you suffered these injuries in a crash, it is vital that you speak with a Portland side impact collisions lawyer as soon as possible. To do so, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC right away for a free consultation.
Portland Side Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Potential Damages for Your Injuries
You have the right to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault party following a side impact collision. In many cases, the other driver will have liability coverage that is adequate enough to provide for your damages. Types of damages that are often awarded in a side impact crash case include:
- Medical expenses. The cost of medical care is often central to a personal injury case. Given the potential for severe injuries that comes with a side impact crash, these medical bills could be substantial.
- Pain and suffering. The physical pain associated with your injuries could also result in a monetary award. These damages typically scale with your medical bills, meaning you could recover more if your medical costs were high.
- Property damage. Not only can you seek compensation for your physical injuries, you can also recover money for your property damage as well. A property damage claim could cover the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged motor vehicle.
- Lost wages. Often, the victims of a side impact crash suffer injuries that prevent them from returning to work right away. In some cases, this could involve a few days or weeks of missed work. In others, the victim’s ability to earn a living could be diminished forever. Compensation could be available for past and future lost wages.
Your lawyer can help evaluate the fair amount of compensation available in your case.
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Deadline to File a Lawsuit
There is a deadline for filing an injury claim following a side impact crash known as the statute of limitations. If the statute of limitations expires before you bring legal action, the court could bar you from pursuing your case forever.
The Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) §12.110 governs the statute of limitations for personal injury claims. According to the statute, a plaintiff has two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. The failure to do so on time could have a fatal impact on an injury claim.
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You Could Recover a Monetary Award for Your Side Impact Accident Claim
If you are living with injuries resulting from a side impact crash, you have the right to hold the at-fault driver accountable. By pursuing a personal injury claim, you could recoup the cost of your medical care and recover compensation for your other losses.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC is ready to guide you throughout your personal injury claim. Call (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation to see how a Portland side impact collisions lawyer may be able to help you.
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