Valentin Bosioc
Like other types of vehicle accidents, side impact collisions can result in severe harm and wide-spread damage to the property of the involved parties. In fact, side-impact crashes account for the most fatalities involving car accidents. If you’ve been involved in a side impact collision, here’s what you need to know about it legally.
What are side impact collisions?
Side impact collisions are also known as “t-bone” crashes because the vehicles form a T as they impact. These are among the most dangerous types of road accidents, causing severe injuries to the parties involved.
In this type of collision, the injuries sustained can be more severe because the sides of the vehicles offer less mass and less space, making it more difficult to shield the occupants. These accidents frequently happen at intersections, where several cars are turning and switching road lanes. Drivers pulling out of driveways frequently cause side impact crashes.
Many of these accidents are unfortunately caused by the negligence of one driver.
The outcomes of a side impact accident can be disastrous because those injured are more likely to suffer from head, neck and other internal organ injuries, arm or leg fractures and even facial fractures. That’s why it’s important to understand that getting injured in this kind of crash has adverse effects on the rest of your life.
What are the common reasons for side impact collisions?
Side impact collisions typically occur when a driver fails to follow traffic signals, or unlawfully enters an intersection. The common causes of these crashes include:
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Impaired driving (DUI of alcohol or drugs)
- Driving with distractions
- Fatigued driving
Since these accidents can be attributed to the driver’s negligence, it is legally actionable, especially if the accident resulted in pain and suffering.
What should you do legally if you’ve been injured in a side impact collision?
If you’ve been a victim of a side impact accident, it’s crucial that you seek legal assistance. It’s the only way to protect your rights and explore whether you have the right to sue the driver at fault for your injuries. To get the compensation that you deserve, below are the things to do legally when you’ve experienced a T-bone collision:
Hire an attorney. By contacting an experienced lawyer like the ones here, you can discuss the accident and explore available legal options to safeguard your rights as a citizen of your state. However, make sure that you hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury lawsuit claims. It’s important to look at the lawyer’s areas of expertise and years of experience to make sure that you’ll be appropriately represented in all stages of the proceedings. By doing so, you’ll have higher chances of winning the litigation against the driver who is responsible for your injuries.
Find evidence to support your personal injury lawsuit claim. Getting compensated for the loss suffered because of a side impact accident may also mean finding clear and convincing evidence to support your claim in court. Police reports issued by police officers can be one of the best evidence you can use to justify your lawsuit claim. Also, testimonies of witnesses who have seen the accident can be a valuable source of information regarding the collision. You can also consider the driver’s cell phone usage, which can indicate an act of negligence on their part as evidence.
If you’ve been severely affected by a side impact collision, it’s worth keeping in mind that you are eligible to recover compensation for the damages caused to you. The impact of these accidents are physical, financial and emotional, and it’s essential that you are represented well and have your day in court.
Lea Briggs
Lea Briggs is a young law writer who enjoys a challenge when writing. Lea aims to make sure her articles allow readers to have a basic grasp of the concepts she is writing, especially giving emphasis to how these subjects can help them in their daily lives. She likes to spend time with her family at home during her days off.
