Side Impact Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in a side impact car accident in Dallas, you’re not alone. In 2017 more than 32,000 car accidents were reported in Dallas proper and approximately 8,000 of those accident were side impact crashes where the front or back of one vehicle meets the side door/s of the other vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 25% of motor vehicle accidents are side impact crashes and they are the second most fatal type of collision, with head on collisions being the first.
Why are Side Impact Car Accidents Dangerous and How do They Happen?
Side impact collisions, also known as T-bone collisions, are dangerous because there is only one car door of protection between a vehicle occupant and the other vehicle. There is much more protection between passengers and the other vehicle when the impact occurs at the front or back of a car. Side airbags offer another layer of protection in a side impact car accident, but many cars on the road are not equipped with side airbags because only recently have they become standard or optional on new vehicles.
This type of collision can be caused by either car and frequently happens at intersections when one driver fails to obey a traffic signal or when a driver is turning across traffic. It also happens when cars exit driveways or drive in parking lots. Side impact collisions can be especially dangerous because the initial impact often causes a car to spin or rollover, sometimes leading to secondary car, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents.
What to do if You Are in a T-Bone Accident?
Steps you take after the accident occurs are extremely important as they greatly impact your case. You should call an ambulance if necessary for medical treatment, call the police, get witness contact information, take photos, and write down everything about the accident as soon as you can. Write down what happened, what people said, what they did, etc. Documenting the incident shortly after it happens will help to ensure that you do not forget important details.
And most importantly, do not settle with insurance companies until you have spoken with a Dallas car accident attorney at the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde. Insurance companies for the at-fault driver will be in a hurry to settle with you and their first offer is likely not going to be an amount that fully compensates you for you injuries and damages.
We will conduct our own investigation to gather relevant facts and evidence that will strengthen your case. We will look into your damages and injuries including the following:
- Past, ongoing, and future medical bills
- Lost wages including lost future earnings
- Physical disfigurement and impairment
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Injuries and damages from a side impact collision can be life changing and you deserve to be fully compensated. Let a Dallas car accident attorney with the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde be your advocate. We will work to get you a financial recovery in an amount that reflects the severity of your injuries and damages.