What Is a Side Impact Collision?

Many different types of car accidents occur on Fort Collins roads each year, from rear-end collisions to sideswipes to severe side impact collisions. Also known as T-bone or broadside collisions, side impact accidents can cause intensive damage to a vehicle and serious injury to its occupants. If you are the victim of a side impact collision, a Fort Collins Car Accident Attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.

How Dangerous Are Side Impact Collisions?

A side impact car accident occurs when one vehicle hits another vehicle on its side. This type of collision can occur head-on or at an angle. Due to the devastating vehicle damage that side impact collisions can cause, many of these accidents result in severe injury or even death.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), side impact collisions were responsible for approximately 23% of all fatalities associated with car accidents in the United States during 2018. Because of the nature of side impact accidents, it is a possibility that the oncoming vehicle can crush the passenger or driver sitting on the side of the crash, leading to broken bones, internal bleeding, and wrongful deaths.

What Are Common Causes of Side Impact Accidents?

Side impact accidents can occur for a number of reasons, and determining the cause of the collision is one of the first steps to building a strong accident claim. Many factors and dangerous driving behaviors can contribute to side impact collisions, including the following.

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Running a red light and hitting a driver traveling through an intersection
• Driving while distracted
• Driving recklessly or aggressively
• Driving over the speed limit
• Driving during inclement weather

Since Colorado operates on a traditional fault-based system for car accident claims, it is important to identify who was at fault for your accident before you file a claim. Once you identify the driver responsible for the accident, he or she must pay for the damages you and anyone else in the accident sustained.

If your accident involved a rideshare vehicle, such as an Uber, determining liability may be more complex. In such cases, it’s essential to work with a Fort Collins Uber accident attorney who understands the nuances of rideshare liability, insurance coverage, and passenger protection.

What Are Common Injuries from Side Impact Car Accidents?

Certain injuries occur at a higher rate during side impact collisions than others. Because of the damage that can occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another, many injuries associated with these types of accidents are very severe and require significant recovery times.

• Internal bleeding may occur due to the sheer force of the accident, especially if the impact crushes or hits you.
• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury, may also occur during a side impact collision if your head hits a hard surface in your vehicle.
• Spinal injuries may also occur, including fractured or slipped discs, hernias, or even damage to the nerves along the spinal cord.
• Whiplash occurs when you experience a serious force and your neck whips back and forth, leading to torn tendons, muscles, and ligaments.

Side impact accidents can lead to severe injury, significant property damage, and mounting medical expenses, repair bills, and more. If you are experiencing physical, emotional, and financial loss as a result of this type of collision, contact your attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will conduct a full-scale investigation into your accident, helping you determine your optimal pathways to maximum compensation.