Injuries From a Side Impact Car Accident

Side impact car accidents can result in serious injuries and fatalities. A side impact car accident occurs when a vehicle is struck along its side by the front end of another vehicle. These collisions can occur at various angles. The perpendicular, 90 degree, impact commonly referred to as the “t-bone” can produce the greatest likelihood of catastrophic injury.

According to the IIHS.org, side impact car crashes account for about a quarter of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the US. The injuries from a side impact car accident can be exacerbated as the occupants absorb greater forces of impact. The auto’s doors and windows increase the potential injuries in such collisions.

Most Common Causes of Side Impact Car Accidents

Side impact car accidents unfortunately are the result of several common driving errors. The frequent causes for side impact car accidents are:

• Failing to yield at intersections or merging lanes
• Running traffic lights or stop signs
• Speeding
• Performing illegal maneuvers such as u-turns
• Driving while under the influence or fatigue
• Failing to account for poor driving conditions or inclement weather
• Driving while distracted

A key method to thwart the potential of a side impact car accident is defensive driving. Developing safe responses and awareness to road conditions and other drivers is a proactive measure that can diminish the risk of these collisions and minimize the injuries from side impact car accidents.

Dangers of Car Accident Side Impact Injuries

Injuries from a side impact car accident can range over a vast spectrum. Unfortunately many of these injuries sustained in these collisions can leave long-term consequences on the victims and in some cases fatalities. The severity of the forces involved in a side impact car accident can cause traumatic injuries to the head, chest, spine and pelvic regions of the occupants. Specific injuries include:

• Broken bones that can range from jawbones and ribs, to femurs and clavicles
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Head injury and traumatic brain injury
• Neck and spinal injuries

At Carpey Law, we believe that knowing what to do in a side impact car collision is the most powerful tool for our clients. It is critical to seek medical attention and evaluation following such an incident. Prompt action can help alleviate the potential for long-term complications and lingering health issues. Even though some of these particular injuries may not manifest themselves immediately, medical documentation can be very valuable.

What To Do After A Side-Impact Car Accident

If you are involved in a side impact car accident, your immediate actions that follow can have a significant influence on the outcome should you seek compensation. Once determining if you or anyone has been injured and moving to safety, we recommended that you do your best to take the following actions:

• Contact police
• Collect information from other driver and witnesses
• Document the scene with photos or videos
• Seek a medical evaluation for documentation

Being the victim of a T-Bone accident can be overwhelming, and navigating the legal process can be equally as disorienting. If you’ve been injured in a side-impact car accident, consulting with a qualified car accident attorney is crucial. An attorney that specializes in assisting car accident victims can help ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

When Do Injuries from a Side Impact Car Accident Appear?

Seeking medical care immediately following a side impact car accident is critical. For many victims, injuries sustained in these collisions are frequently concealed through the explosion of adrenaline and other hormones released during such an event. As the rush of these bodily chemicals subside, a plethora of injuries may be revealed.

Concussions, whiplash, and internal organ injuries often do not appear until days, even months after the collision. A medical evaluation is ever-important to prevent long-term complications from a side impact car accident.

Legal Considerations For Victims After A Side Impact Car Accident

Side impact car accidents are often a result of driver negligence. Victims of a side impact car accident in Pennsylvania have a two year statute of limitations to file a claim from the date of the accident. If you’ve been in a car accident, you may seek compensation for economic and noneconomic damages through a personal injury claim.

Recoverable Economic Damages in Side-Impact Collisions

Economic damages are out-of-pocket expenses that include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Property damages
• Lost income
• Lost earning capacity

Recoverable Non-Economic Damages in Side-Impact Collisions

Noneconomic damages are the negative impacts that have affected the victim from the injuries from a side impact car accident. These damages are:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Compensation for physical pain
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

To navigate these legal considerations and be fully compensated for the damages that have accrued, consulting with a law office specializing in car accident side impact injuries, such as Carpey Law, is critical.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer After a Side-Impact Crash

In the aftermath of a side-impact car accident, you’re likely facing physical injuries, emotional stress, and complex legal issues. Securing legal counsel from an experienced car accident lawyer can be the difference between fair compensation and getting shortchanged by insurance companies.

Car accident lawyers understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts. They can guide you through the claims process, handle complex legal matters like liability, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Injured in a side-impact car accident? Schedule a free consultation with Carpey Law to discuss your legal options.