Side-impact collisions (also known as broadside or T-bone collisions) occur when one vehicle strikes another along its side. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a side-impact collision, you might be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation from the at-fault driver. You can begin the process by consulting with a Tallahassee side impact collisions lawyer to see what legal steps you could take. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 to discuss your case with our team.
Determining Responsibility
In a side-impact collision, determining responsibility can prove relatively straightforward. Many side-impact accidents happen at intersections, and Florida Statute §316.123 governs how intersections work statewide, making it easier to determine liability. If a car drives into the intersection when it does not have the right-of-way, you could hold that driver responsible in most cases if a side-impact collision occurs. In other cases, a court could find the driver who hit your vehicle responsible if that driver violated other laws of the road.
For a free legal consultation with a side impact collisions accidents lawyer serving Tallahassee, call (844) 730-0233
No-Fault States
Florida is one of a handful of states that enacted no-fault laws, which holds no driver responsible for an accident for the purposes of paying out insurance claims for accident-related injuries. Under Florida Statutes §627.730-§627.7405, each driver is responsible for their personal injury protection (PIP) expenses after the accident. You cannot file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident unless:
- Your medical bills exceed your PIP policy limits.
- You suffered serious injuries, as described in Florida Statute § 627.737.
The no-fault law does not apply to property damage. You could file an insurance claim or sue to recover compensation from the at-fault driver if your rollover accident resulted in significant car repair bills.
Tallahassee Side Impact Collisions Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Long-Term Effects
According to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, side-impact collisions can be exceedingly dangerous for the people inside the car that is hit—especially for the victims sitting on the same side of the vehicle as the impact. Based on where someone sat in the car that was hit, they can suffer more severe injuries, and the chances of those injuries having long-term effects are higher.
Disability
Accidents with severe injuries can lead to the development of a partial or permanent disability that never fully heals. These disabilities, such as paralysis or traumatic brain injury, can substantially impact a victim’s overall quality of life.
Financial
Experian found that over 85 percent of new car owners finance their purchase, with an average loan term of almost 69 months, meaning they likely will not have paid off the loan at the time of a rollover accident. If the insurance company deems your car a total loss following an accident, and you are upside-down on your loan, you could end up owing money after receiving compensation. Having to make up the balance to the lender while buying another car to replace your damaged vehicle can become a significant financial burden.
A Tallahassee side impact collisions lawyer could help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve to overcome your accident’s long-term effects.
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Possibly Recoverable Compensation
After a side-impact accident, you could decide to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. The types of compensation that you can claim in the lawsuit could include:
- Medical expenses: You can include any medical expenses incurred because of your accident in the lawsuit. By providing evidence from your care providers, such as medical reports and billing statements, you can prove that your expenses directly relate to the care you needed after the accident.
- Property damage: You can claim any property damaged or destroyed in the accident, including your car and its contents. In serious accidents, items like cell phones and other personal items often suffer significant damage.
- Lost wages: If you could not work while recovering from your injuries, you could claim for lost income, including wages, benefits, retirement contributions, and more.
- Pain and suffering: If your injuries meet the criteria for a serious injury under Florida law, you could ask for an award for pain and suffering, which address the mental and physical trauma created by your injuries.
The amount of your claim depends on the specifics of your case, and a car accident lawyer can help you determine what those amounts should be. Contact the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to discuss your case.
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Statute of Limitations
You may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for the expenses related to your accident. It is essential for you to begin the process as soon as possible. Florida Statute of Limitations §95.11 sets the statute of limitations (or legal time limit) for personal injury lawsuits at four years, meaning that you have four years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, the court could dismiss your lawsuit.
Waiting to file a lawsuit could make it harder to collect evidence and find witnesses to bolster your case. You might want to contact a lawyer to ensure that they have enough time to build a case for justice and compensation.
Discuss Your Case with Our Legal Team
Dealing with the problems caused by a side-impact collision can put demands on your time and health if you try to handle them alone. Speaking with a Tallahassee side impact collisions lawyer gives you access to legal guidance that can help you build a case and claim compensation. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a side-impact accident, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 to discuss your case with our team. The consultation is free, and there is no obligation to hire us.
The City of Tallahassee states that Florida law requires police reports in certain instances. If such a report exists, we can examine it for evidence of fault.
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