Side impact crashes, also known as T-bone collisions or broadside crashes, are some of the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. Usually, these accidents occur at intersections, where one driver might have run a stop sign or failed to yield at an intersection. As the other driver is traveling through the intersection, the negligent driver strikes the car perpendicularly, leading to severe injuries and possibly death. Because this type of accident is usually caused by one driver’s negligent or reckless behavior, it is important to contact an experienced Miami broadside car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a collision. At Gerson & Schwartz, our attorneys can evaluate your case and help you recover damages for your injuries.
Broadside Accidents are Especially DangerousMost of a vehicle’s safety devices are in the front. Air bags, crumple zones, and even seat belts are designed to deploy in cases where the vehicle collides with something else head-on. During a broadside accident or T-bone collision, the vehicle may not be designed to absorb as much of the shock of the impact.
Newer model vehicles have incorporated some safety features like side-impact air bags. However, these features do not come standard in most cars and almost all older-model vehicles usually lack these features. As a result, passengers may be completely unprotected from the impact of the crash. When the vehicle that broadsides a passenger car is significantly bigger, like an SUV or semi-truck, the results of the collision can be catastrophic.
Recovering Damages After NegligenceIn most cases, at least one driver is at fault for a broadside collision. Often, these accidents result from a driver not paying attention, driving while distracted, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, these accidents may also occur when a driver is attempting to make a left-hand turn across traffic. When the driver of the turning vehicle misjudges the speed of traffic or the amount of time available to turn, an oncoming vehicle may collide with the turning car in a T-bone crash. In that situation, the driver who was turning would be negligent in causing the accident for failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.
Occasionally, these types of accidents may be due to factors outside of a driver’s control. For instance, the road may be slippery due to snow, ice, rain, or oil on the pavement and the driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid sliding into another car. Or, a driver’s brakes might fail or malfunction, preventing the driver from stopping the vehicle. While anything is possible, most broadside car accidents in Miami are not caused by weather but by negligence.
When a broadside collision is caused by negligence, people who were injured in that accident may be able to recover damages in the form of compensation for their injuries. Broadside collisions often cause catastrophic injuries, like broken bones, crushed limbs, internal bleeding or organ damage, or brain and head injuries. In some cases, these types of accidents may be fatal.
After a serious injury or death caused by a broadside crash in Miami, an experienced personal injury attorney can help. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to take advantage of a person injured in a broadside crash by pressuring his or her family to sign a quick settlement that will resolve all of the injury claims. Before you sign a settlement, speak with a Miami broadside collision attorney like those at Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. about your options. Having an attorney on your side can help you negotiate the best settlement possible that will provide payments for your medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy or rehabilitation treatments, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
If you sign a settlement without speaking with an attorney, you may not receive all the compensation you deserve. Before you settle for less, contact Gerson & Schwartz P.A. today and schedule a complimentary case review. Call our office now at (877) 475-2905.