Side impact / T-bone car accidents in Kissimmee often result in serious injury or death. If you were hurt in a side-impact crash that was someone else’s fault, you can hold the wrongdoer legally responsible for your injuries.
However, this process can be complicated, so you should consider working with our team at The Florida Firm. Our car accident attorneys have been providing skillful legal representation to accident victims for decades and have established a well-deserved reputation for excellence. Most of our cases are referrals from satisfied past clients or professionals who have worked with us in the past and recognize our commitment to justice for injured people.
What Causes Side-Impact Collisions?
There are two types of side-impact vehicle accidents. A T-bone collision happens when the front of one vehicle hits the side panel of another vehicle. A sideswipe occurs when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction, and the side panels make contact, or the bumper of one vehicle strikes a glancing blow to the side of the other.
Side-impact crashes are usually the result of one driver violating right-of-way rules. T-bones are common at intersections when someone disobeys a traffic signal and turns left against oncoming traffic. Sideswipes happen most frequently when traffic merges, at roundabouts, and when drivers attempt to overtake another vehicle without enough clearance.
Our Kissimmee attorneys could collect evidence such as dashcam and surveillance video, witness statements, the police report, and vehicle damage assessments to determine who was responsible for a side-impact car wreck. When the crash was clearly the fault of another party, we could help you bring a lawsuit seeking financial compensation for your losses.
Typical Injuries in T-Bones or Sideswipes
The reinforcement of a vehicle’s side panels is flimsy compared to the front or rear. A forceful collision can cause serious damage to a vehicle and severe injuries to its occupants.
Most vehicles currently on the road are equipped with side airbags, which offer some protection but can themselves cause injuries. People who survive side-impact crashes often suffer injuries such as:
- Severe whiplash
- Concussion
- Fractures of the ribs, pelvis, and lower limbs
- Chest trauma from deploying airbags
- Internal injuries causing bleeding and organ damage
- Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
Many survivors of side-impact crashes also suffer severe emotional trauma.
The team at The Florida Firm provides comprehensive assistance to injured people. While our attorneys in Kissimmee prepare a strong legal case for your side-impact car crash, our staff could negotiate payment arrangements with healthcare providers and creditors and help you apply for disability and other benefits.
Legal Process for Getting Accountability
Under the state’s no-fault system, you must submit a claim for your accident-related losses to your personal injury protection (PIP) carrier. You can bring a claim against the responsible party in court if your injuries meet the legal threshold set by Florida Statutes § 627.737. The law allows you to file suit when your injuries cause permanent loss or impairment of a significant body part or bodily function, or if they cause permanent, significant disfigurement.
When you sue, you can claim all the losses your PIP did not cover, and you can seek compensation for your pain and suffering. When your injuries cause a marked diminishment of your quality of life, your pain and suffering losses can be substantial.
Our Kissimmee lawyers could work with you to document all the economic and non-economic losses you suffered due to a side-impact car crash. We have been successful in obtaining settlements and verdicts exceeding $1 million for many of our clients who suffered severe injuries in car accidents.
Deciding Whether To Litigate
Personal injury cases rarely get to the trial stage. Pre-trial settlements usually benefit all parties because they avoid the uncertainty, delay, and expense of a trial.
However, going to trial can be the best strategy when the responsible party does not negotiate in good faith or when punitive damages may be available. Our attorneys at The Florida Firm are skilled litigators and may recommend rejecting an unfair settlement in favor of a trial in an appropriate case.
Discuss a Side-Impact Car Crash With Our Kissimmee Attorneys
The state’s no-fault laws simplify claims for fender benders, but the rules can be confusing if you are seriously injured. Our attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright have experience providing guidance and support to people injured in side impact / T-bone car accidents in Kissimmee.
We provide free initial consultations and collect nothing from you unless we reach a favorable resolution for your case. Reach out today to learn more about how we could help you after a serious car accident.