Side-impact collisions often lead to severe injuries or fatalities due to the limited protection along the sides of most vehicles. These crashes are commonly referred to as “T-bone” or “broadside” accidents because the vehicles typically collide at a perpendicular angle, forming the shape of a “T” at the moment of impact.
Because side panels provide less structural reinforcement than the front or rear of a vehicle, occupants may be especially vulnerable to serious harm in these types of crashes.
The Danger of Side-Impact Collisions
Unfortunately, side-impact collisions are often more deadly than other motor vehicles because there is not as much of a barrier at the side of vehicles when compared to the front or rear. Another reason why side-impact collisions are particularly deadly is that drivers and passengers often have no indication that an impact is about to occur.
While there is sometimes adequate time in front-end collisions to slow down, and thus decrease the severity of resulting damage, side-impact collisions often occur without any notice. As a result, these accidents often result in serious property damage and physical injury. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety reports that in all of the accidents involving passengers, 51% of fatalities arise in side-impact accidents.
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Common Causes of Side-Impact Accidents
Side impact accidents frequently involve negligent or reckless drivers. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
- Adverse weather conditions that make it difficult to stop a vehicle
- Drivers who do not come to a full stop at an intersection
- Drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drivers who run red lights or miss stop signs
- Drivers who text while operating a motor vehicle
- Equipment that fails to function properly
- Failure to assess traffic when turning at an intersection
- Reckless or aggressive driving due to road rage
- Turning across traffic lanes too quickly or illegally
Common Injuries Due to Side-Impact Accidents
Side-impact collisions are often particularly deadly when one of the vehicles involved is larger and heavier than the other. In many situations, the person who is sitting on the side of the vehicle that is struck ends up more seriously injured than the person who is further away. Some of the most common injuries that result from side-impact collisions include:
- Broken bones and compound fractures
- Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations from broken glass
- Dislocated limbs
- Herniated discs
- Nerve or spinal cord damage with paralysis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash due to a person’s neck and back being jerked suddenly
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Contact a Skilled Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a side-impact collision, you are likely facing numerous complications. Contact an experienced injury attorney today at Kruger & Hodges so that we can begin taking the steps necessary to make sure that you obtain adequate compensation. We have significant experience helping car accident victims, including those injured in side-impact collisions, create strong legal strategies to obtain the compensation that they deserve.
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