Side-impact collisions are direct hits to the side of the vehicle, which makes them extra dangerous for those on either side that is hit, even lowering the effectiveness of your restraints and other safety features in cars. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 500 fatalities due to side-impact collisions in California in 2018, and almost 5% of all of those were in Orange County.
If you find yourself suffering because of a side-impact collision in Santa Ana, a Santa Ana impact collisions lawyer might be able to help. Contact our team at (844) 730-0233 today. Ben Crump, PLLC, is ready to help you file when you are ready. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys know what they need to do to support you, and we offer free consultations.
Understanding a Side-Impact Collision Lawsuit
Side-impact collisions are also known as T-bone accidents or angle collisions. They are common at intersections and are typical because of another driver’s negligence—not following directives or distractions.
Some common causes of side-impact collisions include:
- Distracted driving: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving is responsible for eight motor vehicle crash deaths each day. This happens when a driver takes their attention away from the road, and it only takes a few seconds for an accident to happen.
- Speeding: When someone who is speeding T-bones another driver, the impact is typically much more severe and can even cause a rollover accident, which can be deadly.
- Poor road conditions: Although drivers cannot help the road conditions, they can control how they respond. If there is ice or water on the roads or vision is low due to the weather, it is the driver’s responsibility to adjust their driving to those conditions. It takes some investigating in these situations, but there can be firm reasoning when proving negligence in a side-impact collision lawsuit.
- Inexperienced drivers: If a driver is not familiar with the road or the directives, they may fail to follow the rules of the road properly or become overconfident. These situations cause accidents more often than a person would think. Teen drivers or new drivers should take extra caution to navigate their vehicles responsibly. If they do not, they should have to pay for the damages they cause.
Proving Negligence
To prove negligence, you must show that the driver failed at their duty to drive responsibly and that negligence was the reason for the accident that caused your injuries and damage.
There is also the pure comparative negligence law outlined in California Civil Code (CIV) §1714. This places responsibility on every person who has any percent of proven negligence for the accident. Even if it is 3%, that amount will be deducted from your compensation.
Crash Report
It is important to note that you will need to file a crash report with the California Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days of the accident. California Vehicle Code (VEH) §16000 shares that any accident with damage over $1,000 or that involves injury or death must file. You or your representative may file this report. If you do not file, you may face having your license suspended.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Santa Ana, call (844) 730-0233
Let a Santa Ana Side-Impact Collisions Lawyers Assist You
No matter how severe the injury or damage you are put through due to an accident, getting financial reimbursement for your losses will help. Our side-impact collision lawyers will help you file the necessary paperwork and talk to witnesses and insurance companies on your behalf. Our attorneys want to help with your losses and understand that the burdens of building a case may cause extra stress.
There is more than financial stress. There is trauma that comes with accidents, pain and suffering, and in worst-case scenarios, the loss of a family member. We want to be advocates for you and take on these tasks so you can grieve and heal properly.
Call Ben Crump, PLLC today for your free case evaluation. We are ready to assist you when you are ready to file.
Santa Ana Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Statute of Limitations
Another critical factor to keep in mind is the time limit you have from the date of the accident or discovery of the injury to file your lawsuit. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1, you have two years from the accident to file a lawsuit against the liable party.
There are also changes to these depending on if there was a government entity involved (six months) or if you are filing for property damage. Hiring a Santa Ana personal injury attorney can help you figure out which best suits your case.
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Possible Awards for Damages
When you file for compensation, you will be able to review the economic and non-economic damages that the accident caused—monetary and non-monetary stresses.
The damages you may receive include:
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages
- Medical costs
- Emergency costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional stress
- Possibly attorney fees
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of mentorship
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Hire a Santa Ana Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Today
Our side-impact collision lawyers are here when you are ready to file. There is no reason for you to have to face negotiations alone. Filing can be a hassle if you do not understand the law, and we are here to help you through the process. We have won millions of dollars for our clients in damages, and we want to extend our help to you.
Ben Crump, PLLC is an advocate for justice, dedicated to protecting your rights. Contact our team at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation today. No case is too tough for us to handle. Do not wait. Time is not on your side, but we are.
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