Side-impact collisions are one of the more common types of vehicle accidents. They usually happen when one driver ignores the right-of-way rules or does not see another vehicle that has the right of way.
Our law firm, Colling Gilbert Wright, represents people who were hurt in side impact/T-bone car accidents in DeLand. Our firm has been providing outstanding legal services to injured members of our community for more than 20 years. Our seasoned car crash attorneys at The Florida Firm have built such an outstanding reputation for excellence that lawyers and other community leaders refer their family and clients to us when they need representation in an injury case.
Why Are Side-Impact Wrecks Especially Dangerous?
Motor vehicles have strong reinforcement in the front and back, but not on the side panels. When one car hits another in the side panel, the car is likely to suffer significant damage, and the occupants might be seriously injured.
The positioning of the occupant relative to the impact makes a difference in the severity of the harm suffered. Fatalities sometimes occur, especially among children who are in the back seat on the side that was hit. Side airbags can be helpful, but they inflate with force and can cause injuries.
People in side-impact crashes might experience serious injuries to the lower legs and torso. Head trauma, facial injuries, and paralyzing spinal cord damage are possible.
How Your Injuries Impact Your Damages
Serious injuries typically lead to greater losses than your PIP will cover. If your injuries meet a specific legal threshold, you can bring a claim against the at-fault driver in court.
You can claim damages for all your out-of-pocket losses, plus money to compensate you for your pain and suffering. The attorneys at The Florida Firm have a long track record of obtaining large settlements and verdicts for our seriously injured clients in DeLand, including in side-impact / T-bone car crashes.
Circumstances That Can Lead to a T-Bone Collision
Most T-bone crashes happen at intersections. One car may roll through a stop sign, try to beat a red light, or make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic, and the vehicle with the right-of-way collides forcefully with it.
Sideswipes are another form of side-impact accident. They happen when vehicles are traveling in the same direction and do not give each other full use of the lane. These crashes often occur as traffic is merging or entering, or exiting roundabouts.
It is often clear which driver was at fault in a side-impact crash, but not always. Our experienced DeLand attorneys will investigate a side-impact accident to determine what happened and who was responsible. If you were partially at fault, Florida Statutes § 768.81 allows you to make claims against the other driver, as long as they bear more responsibility for the crash than you do.
Establishing Negligence Is Essential
When you bring a legal claim after a car crash, you must prove that your injuries were caused by another party’s negligence. To be negligent is to fail to use appropriate caution to protect others from harm.
When the other driver received a citation, the ticket is evidence of that driver’s negligence. When the ticket is issued for drunk driving, reckless driving, or a similar criminal offense, the ticket could prove the driver’s negligence even if they were never convicted.
Our lawyers in DeLand often engage an accident reconstruction expert to provide an expert opinion about how and why a T-bone collision occurred. The expert can provide important evidence against the other driver, but they might also identify other potentially responsible parties. When you are seriously injured, asserting legal claims against multiple parties can increase the likelihood you will receive compensation that properly reflects the extent of your losses.
Contact Our DeLand Attorneys If You Were Injured in a Side-Impact Crash
You deserve compensation and accountability when another driver’s actions cause a side impact/T-bone accident in DeLand. Our attorneys at The Florida Firm will work diligently to ensure you get the most favorable outcome possible in the circumstances. We will settle your matter if we can, but we are always ready to trial when necessary.
We do not collect expenses or fees unless we win your case, so you can work with us at no risk. Reach out today to schedule a free initial case review.