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Having an experienced attorney represent you in a side-impact collision shows other parties how serious you are about being adequately compensated for your injuries.
According to data from the IIHS, 242K side-collisions occur every year in the United States. These accidents cause approximately 27K injuries and more than 2,5K fatalities. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that in the course of one year, drivers who failed to yield the right of way caused 559 fatal accidents, those who failed to keep in proper lane caused 205 fatal accidents, and those who made improper turns caused 40 accidents.
Also, drivers who failed to yield the right of way caused 3.2K incapacitating injuries, those who failed to keep in proper lane caused 695 injuries, and those who made improper turns caused 346 injuries.
A side-impact collision occurs when an oncoming motor vehicle strikes another vehicle on the side. When the assaulting vehicle strikes another vehicle on the driver's or passenger's door, the accident is referred to as a T-bone or T-type collision. When the assaulting vehicle strikes the front or rear side panels of another vehicle, this is referred to as an "L" type accident.
These types of crashes often occur at intersections or parking lots or when one of the drivers tries to change lanes without realizing that there is a vehicle next to his or her. On other occasions, side-impact collisions happen because a driver is not paying attention to his or her surroundings.
Common causes of side-collisions include:
Side-collisions may occur anywhere, but they often happen where two lanes merge, such as the ramps to get on to expressways, freeways, or turnpikes. When a motorist trying to merge onto the highway doesn't take the required safety precautions, checking that there is enough space to do so, a side-impact accident may occur.
If you were injured by the actions of a negligent or aggressive driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Florida law requires every driver to keep a proper lookout for all vehicles around his or her car or truck to avoid crashes. Similarly, Florida law establishes that there can be only one vehicle occupying space in a given lane at one time. Moreover, it is illegal for a motorist to merge into another lane without first checking that it is safe to do so.
At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we have successfully represented thousands of victims of car accidents, including people injured in side collisions. We have successfully pursued claims against trucking companies and tour bus companies, as well as private car drivers. Our lawyer has successfully handled side-collisions on city streets and expressways.
Some insurance companies may try to pressure you into settling your case without first seeking the advice of an attorney. Please note that these quick settlements benefit only the insurance company; they never benefit you. Our lawyer is familiar with these tactics, and we will make sure your rights and interests are protected.
Those that think that side-collisions only cause damages to the vehicles involved are gravely mistaken. These accidents also cause severe bodily injuries because vehicles usually are designed to withstand harder front and rear collisions and so, offer more protection to their occupants in those types of crashes.
The severity of personal injuries depends on the area of the car that has been hit, the speed of the vehicles at the time of the crash, the vehicle's weight and construction, and the presence of safety features.
Vehicles have front and rear bumpers that absorb the force of impacts. However, vehicles do not have bumpers on their sides, and only the thickness of a door stands between the impacting vehicle and the passengers inside of the impacted vehicle. Additionally, these side-collisions typically cause the drivers to lose control and hit other vehicles or objects, such as concrete barriers, guardrails, trees, light posts, road signs, or even cause rollover crashes.
People involved in side-collisions may suffer any of the following injuries and others:
Victims of side-impact collisions may die as a result of the injuries sustained.
Although nobody is ever prepared for an accident, a side collision could leave you in a startled, confused state for a while after it occurred. So, it's important to take precise, informed measures immediately to ensure a favorable outcome, if you've been affected by an accident.
Sean M. Cleary, our car accident attorney, can assist you in getting just compensation for your losses. We firmly believe in holding the negligent driver who caused you damages accountable for his or her actions. If you decide to work with us, we'll gather all the necessary evidence including the police report, medical records, insurance information, and possible footage of the crash.
We'll investigate the circumstances of the accident to prove which driver was at fault. We typically work with an expert called a biomechanical engineer, who goes to the crash site and recreates the accident to see what happened. Determining liability is what will bring you compensation.
We'll also carefully evaluate the extent of your damages, working together with financial experts if necessary, and negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to court and aggressively advocate on your behalf.
Sean Cleary has more than two decades of experience in handling car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will not charge any fees unless we recover financial compensation for you. These fees range from 34%-40% and are paid from the total amount.
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