Nearly 25% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths occur as a result of a side-impact car accident. In 2019, total fatalities were 5,187.
Side impact car accidents, also known as t-bone collisions, are among the most dangerous types of car accidents because there is little protection on the side of vehicles. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that car manufacturers began regularly including side-impact airbags in their vehicles. Even so, the fact remains many vehicles lack sufficient protection along their sides, leading to thousands of deaths per year.
Why are side-impact car accidents so dangerous?
Take a look at any vehicle. There is significantly more distance between the front of the vehicle and the driver than between the side of the vehicle and the driver.
Generally, the greater the distance, the more protection someone has in the event a collision occurs. When one vehicle strikes another on the side, the force of the impact travels right through the vehicle that was hit.
What makes side-impact collisions more dangerous than other types of car accidents? The answer to this question has to do with how side-impact car accidents happen in the first place.
Some common causes include:
- Running a red light due to a distracted or intoxicated driver
- Not stopping at a stop sign
- Failing to yield the right of way to the appropriate vehicle
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
- Weather conditions leading to slippery road conditions
All these causes carry with them the risk of elevated speeds. A driver who fails to stop or yield when they are required to; is usually traveling at a greater speed than they should be. Since the driver at fault in this scenario made little to no attempt at slowing down, the resulting collision occurs at an elevated speed which can result in greater damage to the vehicle(s) involved and a heightened risk of sustaining a serious injury to anyone caught in the collision.
Common side-impact car accident injuries
Car accidents are a sad reality that can leave victims hurt and financially devastated or even lead to a wrongful death suit. The truth is, any car accident can result in a severe injury.
Victims of side impacts collisions tend to experience greater trauma leading to severe injuries of the back/ spine, neck, and head. These types of injuries carry a heightened risk of a life-altering condition.
Common side-impact car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Head trauma
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
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What to do if you or someone you know was involved in a side-impact car accident?
After ensuring you are in a safe environment and stable condition – speak with a car accident lawyer. At the end of the day, insurance companies are a for-profit entity and will do whatever they can to deny or underpay you.
Our team of car accident lawyers know how to go against insurance companies and win.
You pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.
Choose the attorneys at Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A., and let us fight for you. Our compassionate team will stand beside you the entire time.
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Call us at 954-597-6770