What is a Side-Impact Collision?

Side-Impact Collision

A side-impact collision is a type of car accident defined by a point-of-impact on the side of one or both cars. When the front of one car strikes the side of another car, this is sometimes called a “T-bone” collision. When two vehicles hit each other side-to-side, this is sometimes called a “sideswipe” collision. 

If you suffered injuries in a side-impact collision caused by another driver’s negligence, a lawyer from our firm can help you pursue compensation for your damages.  

How Side-Impact Collisions happen and who is liable?

Whenever a car accident happens because one driver broke a traffic law, they may be considered liable for all resulting damages. 

The following could cause a side-impact collision:

• A driver running a red light or stop sign
• A driver failing to yield when making a left turn against oncoming traffic 
• A driver pulling out into traffic without waiting for the road to clear
• A distracted driver drifting into another lane 
• An illegal lane change (e.g., not making sure a lane is clear before entering it or not using a turn signal)
• A failure to yield the right of way on a merge

In some cases, the liability for a car accident may lie with a driver’s employer, the manufacturer of a defective vehicle component, or another negligent third party such as a municipality. 

A Fort Myers car accident lawyer from our firm can examine the details of your case and identify all potentially liable parties. 

Can vehicle damage prove who was at fault?

Florida law allows you to pursue compensation even if you were partially at fault for your side-impact collision. However, your compensation may reduce in proportion to your degree of fault. 

This system is known as “comparative fault.” A lawyer from our firm can help you collect evidence of the full extent of the other party’s liability for your accident. 

What happens when a car hits you from the side?

If you can prove that another party’s negligence caused your accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your:

• Accident-related medical bills, both current and future 
• Lost wages for the time your injuries prevented you from working
• Repair or replacement of your vehicle if it was damaged or totaled in the side-impact collision 
• Pain and suffering 
• Other out-of-pocket expenses and non-economic damages 

Wrongful Death damages

If your loved one lost their life in a side-impact collision caused by a negligent driver, our firm can help you pursue wrongful death damages. These damages may include:

• Funeral costs
• Loss of support and services
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering 
• Other losses and non-economic damages 

How a Lawyer From Our Firm can Help You With Your Case

You do not need to build a case and fight for compensation on your own after a side-impact collision. A personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale from our firm can manage all of the legal work in your case. 

Our services include:

• Speaking with all other parties on your behalf as your legal representative
• Collecting evidence in your case, including the police report, video footage of the side-impact collision, witness statements, and testimony from accident reconstruction experts
• Identifying your damages and collecting evidence of their value
• Managing all paperwork and deadlines in your case
• Negotiating with the at-fault party for a settlement offer
• Giving you honest feedback to help you decide whether to accept or reject any settlement offers you receive
• Taking your case to trial if the at-fault party does not make you a fair offer

We work on a contingency-fee-basis

You can hire a lawyer from our firm to work for you on a contingency fee basis. Rather than paying us hourly or at a flat rate, we take a percentage of your settlement offer or court award in this arrangement.

If we cannot help you win your case and recover compensation, you don’t have to pay us attorney’s fees. We can explain the full details of our contingency fee payment structure during your free case review. 

The deadline to sue in Florida

Your time to sue for damages after a side-impact collision is not unlimited. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. For a wrongful death lawsuit, the general filing deadline is two years. 

Some circumstances could alter these general deadlines. Missing the deadline that applies to your case could mean that you lose your right to sue.

Injuries in a Side-Impact Collision

Victims can suffer a wide range of injuries in a side-impact collision, including:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Cuts and lacerations
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

Make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible after your accident. Your injuries may require immediate treatment, and it can be important to establish the link between your injuries and the accident in your medical record.

Get help from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today

A car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can build your case and fight for compensation on your behalf while you dedicate your time to your recovery. We serve all of South Florida.

For a free case review with a team member, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (954) 633-8270. The sooner you call, the sooner we can start working for you.