The side-impact collision is one of the more serious types of car accidents on the road. Also known as a T-bone accident, a side-impact collision happens when one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle, causing damage and possibly leading to other types of accidents, such as rollover crashes.
Side-impact collisions are particularly dangerous because the safety features built into the sides of vehicles are not as strong as the features built into the front and rear. This means that drivers and passengers have a greater chance of suffering severe injuries in a side-impact collision.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a side-impact collision, you could be entitled to collect compensation. If you would like to explore your legal options, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 today to set up a free consultation. You can ask questions and find out how a side-impact collisions lawyer might be able to help with your case.
Causes of Side-Impact Collisions
Various situations can lead to or cause side-impact collisions, including:
- Drunk driving or aggressive driving: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impair a motorist’s judgment, causing them to be less alert or engage in reckless driving while behind the week. Speeding, following too closely behind another car, and other behaviors, as outlined by the Insurance Information Institute (III), are examples of aggressive driving.
- Loss of control: It is possible for the driver to lose control of a vehicle and hit another vehicle. This can happen in inclement weather, which can bring poor visibility and make it hard for a driver to see other vehicles on the road.
- Intersections: Failing to stop at an intersection or entering an intersection without first checking for clearance, can lead to a side-impact collision. This can happen at traffic lights where a driver tries to run a yellow or red light.
- Changing lanes: Side-impact collisions can happen when cars change lanes. If drivers do not check their blind spots before moving their vehicles, there is a chance they will hit another vehicle.
This is a partial list of factors involved in side-impact collisions. If you are injured in one of these accidents, you may be able to take legal action to collect compensation from the responsible driver.
Common Injuries from Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions have the potential to do a lot of damage to your vehicle and can lead to a variety of injuries. Common injuries in side-impact collisions are:
- Burns and bruises: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), side-impact airbags can help reduce injuries. However, airbags can also cause small burns and abrasions when the airbag touches the skin.
- Head injuries: Head injuries include fractured skulls, brain injuries, and brain damage. If the damage the brain is significant enough, it could result in a permanent disability.
- Bruises: Bruises are likely because of the way side-impact collisions happen. You can also develop bruises from airbags and seatbelts.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a condition that strains neck muscles, which can lead to lasting pain and other neck problems.
Car accident injuries are serious enough to warrant seeking medical treatment after the collision occurs. If you or your loved one received medical care for injuries you suffered in the side-impact collision, make sure you have your health records, billing statements, and receipts that show the medical care you or your loved one received. These documents can help determine the extent of your injuries and can be used to help your case.
If you are interested in pursuing legal action, you have the option of consulting with a lawyer to find out what steps to take next. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today if you are interested in learning more about how a side-impact collisions lawyer can help with your case.
Settlement vs. Trial
Some people opt to pursue compensation in court, while others choose to settle out of court.
A settlement agreement is a contract in which the person being sued will offer you compensation in return for ending the case. However, it is important to review the settlement agreement carefully.
Some early settlement agreements do not offer enough compensation to cover immediate and long-term expenses related to the accident. A lawyer might be able to renegotiate the agreement to better suit your needs. However, if you cannot agree upon a settlement offer, you could decide to pursue financial recovery by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Other recoverable damages you might be eligible to receive include:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Temporary and permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
An attorney can review with you the recoverable damages you might be eligible to pursue.
Limited Time to Act
If you choose to take legal action with a side-impact collisions lawyer’s help, you have only a limited time to do so. A lawyer will know the statute of limitations in your state and help ensure that you file within the allotted period. It takes time to gather evidence and build a case, so keep an eye on the clock. Once the deadline expires, it likely will be too late to file your lawsuit, and your chance of financial recovery will be gone.
How Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Can Help
Recovering from a car accident can be a long and drawn-out process and. Fortunately, you do not have to deal with the expenses from the accident on your own. You can hold the other party responsible with the help of a side-impact collisions lawyer, which could lead to financial recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a side-impact collision, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 to schedule a free consultation. If we represent you, we work on a contingency-fee-basis, and you pay nothing upfront. We do not receive payment until you receive a settlement.
