When A Car Accident Is Caused By A Side Impact

Side-impact collisions often occur abruptly and without any warning. Unlike rear-end or head-on collisions, where the rear or front of the car provides some protection and absorbs some of the impact, a side-impact car accident occurs with very little protecting the driver or passenger from the force of the impact.

With head-on collisions, drivers have some ability to react to an oncoming accident by braking or taking some other measures to evade the crash. However, drivers and passengers of vehicles hit from the side usually have no advanced warning and cannot do anything to minimize the impact of the crash.

If you have been involved in a side-impact collision and have been injured as a result, the experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at Englander Peebles can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Call us at 954-500-4878 to make an appointment. For your convenience, an online contact form is also available.

Side-Impact Car Accident Statistics

Side-impact vehicle collisions do not occur with as much frequency as rear-end or head-on collisions. They have the ability to cause significant injuries. In fact, side-impact collisions account for about a quarter of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the United States, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Researchers from Yale University conducted a study that showed that there are around 3.2 million annual occurrences of vehicle side impacts in the United States and between 10% to 18% of occupants involved in these types of accidents sustain neck injuries. The study conducted surveys of 3,014 occupants involved in automobile collisions, of which 19% sustained injuries in side-impact accidents.

Possible Causes Of Side-Impact Collisions

There are two general types of side-impact collisions. A broadside collision, more commonly known as a “T-bone” crash, is where one vehicle’s front-end crashes head-on with the broadside of another vehicle.

Vehicles in intersections and parking lots are the most vulnerable to T-bone crashes since they are usually traveling perpendicular to other vehicles. A T-bone crash may occur when a driver fails to yield a right of way, runs a stop sign or a red light, or makes a turn at an intersection at a high rate of speed without gauging oncoming traffic.

Another type of side-impact collision is a lateral impact, where a vehicle gets too close and its side hits the side of another vehicle. This occurs when a driver of a vehicle attempts to change lanes on a highway without seeing the car in their blind spot, therefore hitting its side.

Both types of collisions may be caused by distracted driving (talking on cellphones and texting), driving under the influence of alcohol or driving recklessly and aggressively.

Protect Your Welfare. Call A Lawyer Today.

Injuries from side-impact collisions have the potential to be severe, disabling and even fatal. If you have been injured in a side-impact collision in any county in Florida, the experienced car accident attorneys at Englander Peebles can provide you with effective representation to obtain the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

We have years of experience in pursuing car accident claims effectively on behalf of clients. Contact our firm today for a free initial consultation by calling our office in Fort Lauderdale at 954-500-4878 or by completing our online contact form.