A side-impact collision—also referred to as a T-bone or broadside accident—occurs when a vehicle is struck on its side. Side-impact accidents are common at intersections and in parking lots, but they can happen anywhere and at any time. Driver distraction, intoxication, speeding, or recklessness, as well as poor signage and poor lighting can all contribute to a side-impact collision.
If you were involved in a side-impact collision, a Savannah side-impact collisions lawyer may be able to help you investigate the accident to determine if negligence or recklessness occurred. If it did, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against the party or parties responsible for the accident.
Please contact the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team today at (404) 888-8888 to learn more and schedule your free case review.
Side-Impact Collision Injuries
Injuries sustained in a side-impact accident can be severe, even with today’s vehicle safety features. Most modern cars are equipped with airbags and other protective technology in front of the vehicle. In addition, the trunks of many vehicles are designed to function as a crumple zone, which absorbs the force of an impact from the rear.
The sides of a vehicle, however, provide only limited protection. Some of the injuries seen in side-impact accidents include:
- Broken bones.
- Fractures and bruises.
- Cuts and lacerations.
- Amputations.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage.
- Head injuries, such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Face, eye, and dental injuries.
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries, including whiplash.
- Mental anguish or emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Side-Impact Collisions Often Cause the Most Severe Injuries
In head-on collisions, the drivers involved often realize that an accident is imminent and can apply their brakes or swerve out of the way. In rear-end accidents, the crumple zone of the trunk can protect the occupants of the vehicle when struck.
Side-impact accidents can be more dangerous because they are often as surprising or unexpected as a rear-end collision, but the occupants of the vehicle that was struck have very limited protection. The severity of the victims’ injuries in a side-impact collision depends on:
- How fast the vehicles involved in the collision were traveling.
- The angle at which the accident occurred.
- Whether or not there were any safety features installed in the vehicles.
- The size and weight of the vehicles involved.
You can speak with the Savannah side-impact collisions lawyer with the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team to learn more about your rights and responsibilities after a side-impact collision. Please contact us at (404) 888-8888 for a free case evaluation.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Savannah, call (404) 888-8888
Compensation and Coverage in a Side-Impact Collision Case
As discussed above, side-impact accidents can lead to life-altering injuries, including loss of a body part, paralysis, or permanent disability that prevents the victim from working or earning an income. If you were struck by another vehicle in a side-impact collision, you deserve compensation. You may be able to seek damages for your accident-related losses, such as:
- Medical care, rehab, and therapy bills.
- Medication and medical testing expenses.
- Lost income or earnings.
- Vehicle repair costs or property damage.
- Wrongful death and burial, funeral, or cremation costs.
You must quantify and provide proof of your losses using medical records of your injuries, receipts from out-of-pocket expenses, and documentation estimating your damages. These items will allow you to calculate the value of your case and determine the level of compensation you may seek.
Proving Liability in a Side-Impact Accident Case
The first step toward recovering compensation either through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit is establishing liability in your case. Georgia is an at-fault state. This means that anyone who causes an accident can be held liable for the resulting losses and injuries through an insurance claim. However, you must be able to prove that:
- The other driver committed an act of negligence that led to your injury, such as running a red light or stop sign.
- The act of negligence the driver committed caused the subsequent side-impact collision with your vehicle.
- You suffered physical, financial, mental, or material losses as a result of the accident.
In most cases, you can establish the other driver’s negligence that led to the collision with evidence such as video footage or photographs of the accident, witness statements, and the official accident report from the police. You must submit your evidence along with a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurer, clearly stating why you believe you are eligible for damages of a certain amount.
If you were struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may resort to your uninsured or underinsured motorist policy or your personal liability policy, whichever applies to your specific case. Under certain circumstances, however, you may need to take your case to court in order to receive the damages you seek.
Savannah Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Seeking Legal Counsel After a Side-Impact Collision
If you were involved in a side-impact collision, you are not alone. Based on the specifics of your case, our Savannah side-impact collisions lawyer may be able to help you:
- Gather evidence, identify all relevant at-fault parties, and file a claim–if one is warranted–within the statutes of limitations.
- Help you identify and evaluate all compensable forms of damage.
- Handle all of the administrative and legal formalities of your case, including negotiations with insurance adjusters, debriefing sessions with law enforcement personnel, and any courtroom proceedings.
- Negotiate vigorously on your behalf so that a fair settlement can be arrived at, if possible.
Reach out to Bader Scott Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888. Our team is on standby, and we take cases on a contingency basis starting with a free consultation, so please feel free to contact us today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
