Side Impact Collisions

Like other types of car accidents, side impact collisions are most often the result of one driver’s negligence. Drivers in Texas have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel; and, when drivers make mistakes that lead to accidents, the law holds them financially accountable.The injuries from side-impact collisions tend to be severe. Especially when the vehicle that causes the accident is traveling at a high rate of speed, the limited protection afforded by a car door usually will not be enough to prevent serious injury. Even in cars with side-impact airbags, drivers and passengers routinely suffer broken bones, head and back injuries, organ damage, and lacerations from broken glass and debris.

Free Consultations with a San Antonio Auto Accident LawyerIf you have been involved in a side impact collision in the San Antonio area, we can help you assert your legal rights. We have been representing local car accident victims for decades, and we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients’ injury-related losses. We have represented clients injured in all types of accidents, and we are intimately familiar with the forms of negligence that can entitle accident victims to financial compensation.

For example, we may be able help you if:

• You were hit by a driver who failed to yield to oncoming traffic
• You were hit by a speeding driving while pulling out of a parking lot
• You were hit while passing through an intersection with the right of way
• You were sideswiped by a driver attempting to merge or change lanes on the highway
• You were T-boned by a driver who was not paying attention, or who was drunk or asleep behind the wheel

At Ronald A. Ramos Law Office, every case starts with a free consultation. Meeting with you personally is the best way for us to assess your case, and we want you to feel comfortable asking for advice without worrying about legal fees. If you have a case and you choose our firm to represent you, with our contingency-fee representation, you will not pay anything unless we help you win just compensation.

Understanding Your Rights: Side Impact Collision FAQsQ: Is the driver who makes impact always liable?
In most cases, the driver who makes impact with the side of another vehicle will be at fault in the accident. However, there are exceptions. For example, if someone suddenly pulled out in front of you and left you with no way to avoid a side impact collision, he or she could be financially liable.

Q: What if I was partially at fault in the accident?
After a side impact collision, it is easy to start wondering if you could have done something, anything to avoid the accident. Most often, the answer will be, “No.” But, even if the evidence suggests that you were partially at fault, under Texas law you may still be entitled to a partial financial recovery.

Q: How long do I have to seek compensation?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most car accident claims is two years. However, to maximize your chances of securing just compensation, it is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Speak with San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer Ronald A. RamosTo schedule your free consultation at Ronald A. Ramos Law Office, please call (210) 308-8811 or contact us online. Attorney Ronald A. Ramos can help you understand your situation, and he can make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Why Side-Impact Collisions Are So Dangerous

Side-impact collisions, also called broadside crashes, are among the deadliest types of car accidents because the sides of vehicles offer far less structural protection than the front or rear. While the front and back of a car have crumple zones, engine blocks, and trunk space to absorb impact energy, the side of a vehicle has only a thin door panel, window glass, and a few inches of space between the occupant and the striking vehicle.

Even with modern side-impact airbags and reinforced door beams, occupants on the struck side of the vehicle are at high risk of catastrophic injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that side-impact crashes account for approximately 27 percent of all passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, making them the second deadliest crash type after head-on collisions.

Common Causes of Side-Impact Crashes in San Antonio

Most side-impact collisions occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way. Running red lights and stop signs is a leading cause, as is making left turns across oncoming traffic without adequate clearance. Distracted drivers who are not paying attention to traffic signals are particularly prone to causing broadside crashes at intersections.

Impaired drivers also frequently cause side-impact collisions because their slowed reaction times and impaired judgment lead them to misjudge gaps in traffic or fail to stop at controlled intersections. Speeding through yellow lights and ignoring traffic controls are common factors in these devastating crashes.

Injuries from Side-Impact Accidents

The proximity of the occupant to the point of impact in a side collision results in particularly severe injuries. Traumatic brain injuries occur when the head strikes the window, door frame, or B-pillar. Rib fractures and internal organ damage, especially to the spleen, liver, and kidneys, are common because the torso is directly exposed to intrusion forces. Pelvic fractures, hip injuries, and arm injuries on the struck side are also frequent.

Neck injuries and spinal injuries occur as the body is thrown laterally in a direction the spine is not designed to absorb. Occupants may also suffer whiplash as the head snaps sideways from the impact force.

Contact a San Antonio Side-Impact Collision Attorney

If you or a family member was injured in a side-impact collision, the car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos can help you pursue full compensation for your injuries. We investigate intersection crashes using traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction to prove the other driver’s negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation about your T-bone or side-impact accident case.

Related Resources

• T-Bone Collision Accidents
• Head-On Collision Accidents
• Most Common Car Accident Injuries
• Neck Injury After a Car Accident
• How Much Is My Case Worth?