When you have been in a car accident, it is vital that you seek out the medical and legal help you need quickly. It is also important to understand that different types of car accidents can have different types of legal outcomes. This quick guide will help you better understand side impact collisions.
Understanding Side Impact Collisions
A side impact accident can go by many terms. Some common terms that are used include “broadside” or “T-bone.” All of these terms are used to refer to an accident that occurs when the front of one car hits the side of another car. This type of collision would form a “T” shape. If you are the victim of this type of accident and you are sitting on the side of the impact, you can experience serious injuries. These are considered some of the most dangerous types of car accidents.
Why are side impact collisions so dangerous? This type of accident can, in some cases, be more dangerous than a front-end or rear-end collision. One of the reasons why this type of accident is so dangerous is because there is no trunk or engine creating a buffer between the occupant and the impact of the other vehicle. The impact is more directly absorbed by the person sitting on the side of impact.
Older vehicles often do not have side impact safety features such as airbags or door reinforcement, and this can also increase the danger and chance of injury.
Side impact collisions are often a surprise to the vehicle getting hit. You never see the other car coming because you are looking ahead at the road.
The National Highway Safety Administration states that side impact collisions are especially dangerous for young children. Since the popularity of heavy SUVs has increased, there has also been a great increase in deaths from side impact collisions since 1999.
Why Choose Us?
Lawsuits can be overwhelming and discouraging ordeals. When you have a team of knowledgeable professionals on your side, you can get through this traumatic event with confidence. Terry Bryant Accident and Injury Law has decades of experience to back up our reputation. Terry Bryant opened his first sole practitioner firm in 1985. Since then, he has continued to make it his goal to help those who have been injured in accidents.
Victims of car wrecks and other forms of accidents are at a significant disadvantage. You are forced to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on medical bills by no fault of your own. You might even be forced to miss work or never work again. These are life-changing events that will affect you both financially and emotionally. You need a side impact collision lawyer to ensure that you are treated fairly and compensated justly.
How We Can Help
Our clients agree that one of the most significant ways we help is by listening. Following a side impact collision, you might think that no one is listening to your side of the story. This can be a frustrating place to be in, but you can rest assured that our team will hear you out.
We help by evaluating every single detail of your accident. We will go through the details with a fine-toothed comb to ensure that everything that can be used to your advantage is identified. This is what it means to have a legal team on your side.
Our team will also assist you by conducting an in-depth investigation into your accident. We have the resources, methods, technology, and know-how to dig in deeply and uncover the truth. We can help to find things that you might have overlooked, or to bring to light important details that you might not have realized were important. Our professionals know how to use these resources to your advantage.
We can also help you to understand the best strategic moves you should take in your case. Often people do not realize that a certain move or choice will impact their case negatively. We are here to offer guidance and support to make sure every move you make is advantageous.
Types of Injuries Resulting from Side Impact Collisions
There can be a wide range of injuries that result from a side impact wreck. However, because of the nature of the impact, there are several common injuries. The severity of these injuries will be affected by the speed and force of the impact.
Concussions and TBI
One of the most common types of injuries resulting from a side impact collision is concussion and traumatic brain injury. These injuries are often caused by a direct, forceful blow to the head.
There is a wide range of severity when it comes to TBIs. Mild brain injuries are often recovered from in a matter of months, whereas victims of serious brain injuries may never recover fully. These types of severe injuries can bring on impaired thinking, decreased language function, loss of sensation, and serious consequences to emotional stability as well.
Thoracic Chest Trauma
Another serious type of injury is thoracic trauma. This is any trauma to the chest. Because of the position of a passenger in relation to the side of the vehicle, this is a very common type of side impact injury. This type of injury can affect the lungs and heart. When the lungs or heart are damaged, it can constrict or restrict blood and air flow.
The most serious types of thoracic trauma will cause direct injuries to the lung, heart, or esophagus. In these cases, a victim may need to have emergency lifesaving intervention. When ribs are broken, these types of injuries are even more dangerous.
Abdominal Injuries
There are many vital organs located in the trunk of the body. During a side impact collision, the trunk of the body is often hit with extreme blunt force to the side. This can cause serious injuries to the liver, kidneys, or spleen. Another common type of abdominal injury can be piercing injuries to the lower GI organs. This can happen if the trunk of the body is pierced with vehicle debris or glass.
Broken appendages
There is always a risk of broken appendages resulting from a car accident. This risk is increased with side impact accidents. The arm, hip, and leg that is facing the side of impact are at increased risk for breaks.
Although side impact airbags have done much to decrease some of these risks, the fact remains that if you have been a victim of a side impact collision, there is a greater chance that you will have a serious injury such as those mentioned above.
If you have been involved in a side impact collision, a Houston side impact collision lawyer can help make sure you are treated fairly by all involved.
Side Impact Collision Lawsuits
A side impact collision lawyer in Houston, TX, can help you evaluate the details and circumstances of your accident so that you better understand who was at fault and whether or not you deserve compensation for your injuries. It can sometimes be difficult to determine who is at fault in a side impact collision. These types of accidents often happen at intersections. In most cases, the at-fault driver is running a red light or running a stop sign. However, if you have been involved in an accident and it is proving difficult to determine who was at fault, a side impact collision lawyer can help.
These types of accidents are almost always a result of someone’s negligence. We can help prove that negligence so that you are treated fairly.
Side Impact Collision FAQs
Below you can find the most commonly asked questions about side impact collision accidents.
What Is the First Thing I Should Do after a Side Impact Collision?
The first thing you should do after your wreck is to seek medical attention for your injuries. Because side impact injuries are often serious, you should make sure you take the necessary time for treatment and recovery.
You should keep detailed records of any medical treatment you receive. These records will be an important part of your case later on.
You should contact a side collision lawyer as soon as possible after your wreck.
Should I Accept a Settlement from the Insurance Company?
The insurance company will often attempt to settle with you out of court. This means that they will offer you a settlement amount in exchange for your agreement to not pursue a lawsuit against the insurance company or against the driver of the other vehicle.
It can be very tempting to accept the initial settlement offer from an insurance company. However, this is often not in your best interests. You should be aware, that the main goal of the insurance company is to close the case as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Making sure that you are treated and compensated fairly is not their priority.
Before you accept any settlement, you should speak with side impact collision lawyers who will have your best interests in mind.
What Types of Evidence Are Helpful in a Side Impact Case?
Once you have conferred with a side impact attorney in Houston, you will be asked to collect and share evidence you may have concerning your accident. Evidence can include photos, videos, medical records, police reports, and eyewitnesses who are willing to discuss the details of the wreck with the lawyer.
Be sure that you keep your evidence organized and up to date to make your experience run more smoothly.
Who Is at Fault in Side Impact Collisions?
The authorities who work on the accident are often responsible for determining who is at fault. It can be either driver. The driver at fault would be the one who was being negligent or not following traffic laws.
It can sometimes be difficult to prove who is at fault if there is no clear-cut evidence. You can help authorities determine fault by taking clear photos immediately following the wreck if your injuries allow you to do so. If there is a passenger with you who is able to take photos, that could be helpful also.
Will I Be Compensated for My Injuries?
This cannot be determined until a Houston side impact collision lawyer looks at your case. There are many details that must be considered in order to determine if compensation is in order. Our team will do our best to evaluate your information and get you any compensation that you do deserve under the law.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer?
Many people mistakenly think that they will be able to navigate their side impact collision case without the help of legal professionals. The truth is that this can be a very difficult type of car accident case. In order to have the best chances of winning compensation, you need a team of knowledgeable experts on your side. We can help.
Contact Our Side Impact Collision Lawyer in Houston
A seasoned law firm can help you get the compensation you deserve. Terry Bryant has 30 years of experience, and our proven track record will give you the peace of mind you need in knowing that your case is in the best hands. We will work tirelessly to defend your right to compensation, investigate the accident thoroughly, and press your claim with the knowledge and aggression it deserves.
If you need a side impact collision lawyer in Houston, TX, please give us a call today at (713) 973-8888 to get started.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
