Side-Impact Collisions
Denver attorney R. Mack Babcock and associates help victims of t-bone and sideswipe collisions obtain compensation for injuries and property damage
Our Denver car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling injury cases. It doesn’t matter if you have a minor scrape or a major collision, we are here for you.
A side-impact collision, like any accident, can happen in the blink of an eye. These types of car accidents occur when the front of one automobile strikes the side of another.
They most commonly occur when one vehicle fails to stop at a red light or stop sign, but can occur in several other situations as well, like a parking lot.
As far as mortality, side-impact collisions, more commonly known as t-bone accidents, have the second highest mortality rate next to head-on collisions. Nearly 10,000 deaths each year can be linked to these common, yet devastating accidents. At minimum, a side-impact collision can be cause for many serious injuries to the neck, arm(s), rib(s), leg(s), hip, shoulder(s), ear and head.
Debilitating brain and spinal injuries are also common in side-impact collisions.
One reason t-bone accidents are so risky to drivers and occupants as compared to head-on or rear-end collisions is the fact that there isn’t really much material to absorb the impact, or kinetic energy generated by the collision. The front and rear of a vehicle will have a substantial crumple zone where the side does not.
Too often, injuries sustained from a side-impact collision are never fully treatable, leaving you and your family with a lifetime of pain and suffering
The severity of injury in a side-impact or t-bone collision depends on a host of factors, including:
- How fast was the oncoming vehicle going?
- How big was the oncoming vehicle?
- How big is your vehicle, the one being struck?
- Where did the oncoming vehicle strike your vehicle?
If you’re riding in a big truck for example and someone hits you in the side in a small car going only 10 mph, then damage and injury should be minimal. But if the situation is reversed and the oncoming vehicle was going 50 mph, the risk of serious injury or even death is pretty high.
Injuries are also more likely if the oncoming vehicle strikes in the center body of the car between the tires rather than at the front hood or rear trunk.
Also, side-impact collisions can also have a chain effect – if the force of the oncoming vehicle is great enough for example, there is a much higher risk of rollover or spinning, which can put other vehicles and even pedestrians at risk. Any passengers (…or drivers) on the side being impacted will most certainly sustain the worst injuries.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a side-impact collision, a Colorado attorney experienced in t-bone collisions can help you establish fault and obtain compensation
Regardless of the severity of the crash and whether it was a broadside or a side-swipe collision, effects can often take time to manifest themselves. If you were involved in an accident of this nature and the other driver was at least 51% at-fault for the collision, you certainly have grounds for a claim under Colorado law.
If you’re involved in a side-impact collision, it’s important you try and take pictures of the accident scene and obtain contact information from any witnesses, if you can. Also, keeping careful records of all medical treatment and expenses will be helpful in any claim.
Beyond this though, a Colorado t-bone collision attorney will be invaluable in helping you obtain compensation. Not only will an attorney be familiar with all relevant laws, they will be able to examine your evidence, interview witnesses and otherwise establish fault.
To discuss your case today, contact Denver auto accident lawyer R. Mack Babcock and associates at Babcock Tucker today for a free consultation.
