When we drive, we expect that other motorists will follow the laws and drive responsibly. However, we know this is not always the case, and sometimes drivers act in a way that causes harm to others on the road. Side impact, or “T-bone,” collisions happen when one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another vehicle. To find out more about how we can pursue compensation for your damages, reach out to Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233.
Possible Causes of the Accident
If you were hurt in a side-impact collision, your accident could be the fault of another driver, problems with your vehicle, or bad road conditions. A Tampa side-impact collisions lawyer can help you figure out the source of your accident. If you qualify, consider seeking awards to recover the damages.
Causes of your accident may include:
- Another driver’s behavior: presented by the Insurance Information Institute (III), driving behaviors are a significant cause of accidents. These behaviors typically include talking or texting on a cell phone, driving the wrong way down a one-way street, making an improper turn, driving while drowsy, driving while intoxicated, and speeding.
- Issues with your vehicle: every year, vehicles are recalled by automobile manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) because of mechanical problems and safety issues. Vehicles, like all machines, are fallible. If your accident was caused by faulty brakes, tires, safety features, or other equipment, the automaker may be responsible for your injuries.
- Roadways: cities, counties, and states all have entities whose job is to make sure roads are safe and well maintained. Unsafe objects in the road, poorly maintained surfaces, broken traffic lights, missing or unreadable road signs, and poor road designs all can contribute to side-impact collision accidents.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Tampa, call (844) 730-0233
Working with an Attorney
A Tampa side-impact collisions lawyer can delve into what caused your accident, and they can identify the costs you have incurred because of your crash and help you seek compensation for:
- Emergency medical care
- Ongoing medical care
- Emotional stress
- Lost wages
- Physical suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of a loved one
If you are interested in learning more about how you may be compensated, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today.
Tampa Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Side Impact Collision Injuries
Side impact collisions are injurious because of the lack of safety features protecting the drivers and passengers in this type of crash. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), seatbelts are not always an effective means of protection when it comes to T-bone collisions.
Seat belts are designed to keep passengers from flying forward or being ejected from the vehicle during a crash, but in a side-impact collision, they do not do much to prevent the body from being thrown sideways.
In an effort to protect drivers from side impact collision injuries, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214. This rule mandates that vehicle makers perform specific side-impact crash tests and work toward improving safety technologies to keep passengers safer during this type of crash. The DOT recommends new vehicles include safety features like torso and side curtain airbags.
Victims of side-impact collisions may experience:
- Whiplash
- Broken arms, legs, and other bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Internal injuries
You may have received medical treatment at the scene of your accident. If not, consider seeing a doctor as soon as you can if you experience signs of injuries. Keep a medical record documenting your injuries to support any insurance claims you may make. Medical records also can be used as evidence in a lawsuit.
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Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC
Ben Crump Law, PLLC has won six-and-seven figure settlements for car accident lawsuit clients throughout the United States. Our legal team can:
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Florida is a no-fault insurance state, and drivers are required to carry property damage liability (PDL) insurance and personal injury protection (PIP), according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). PDL covers property damages in any accident you cause, and PIP pays for most minor injuries, no matter who caused the crash. It can be confusing to know whose insurance is responsible when the costs of an accident are above the amounts of insurance carried by the drivers involved. Depending on the cause of your accident, you may be dealing with insurers who represent governments of manufacturers. An attorney can help you understand whose insurance may be liable and may help you negotiate an insurance payment.
- Take your case to court: if your costs exceed what insurance will pay or you were hurt by a driver with no insurance, a lawyer may assist you in seeking awards. We can look for evidence to support your case and prove that your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Even if your actions may have contributed to the crash, under Florida Statute § 768.81, you can still seek compensation in some instances.
- Meet time restrictions: reaching out to a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident can help your case be filed within the time restrictions set by the statute of limitations. Florida Statutes § 95.11 allows four years for personal injury and property damage cases and two years for wrongful death cases. If you do not begin your case within these time frames, you may miss your opportunity for compensation.
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we know that the stress and financial worry that come with a car accident can seem insurmountable, but help is available. A Tampa side-impact collisions lawyer can work with you to seek compensation. Reaching out to our team is risk-free. We offer no-cost consultations, and we only get paid if we win your case. Call (844) 730-0233 to find out more.
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