A broadside collision, or a “T” bone or side-impact, can be a seriously dangerous type of auto accident. A broadside collision occurs when one car crashes head-on into the side of another vehicle, thus creating a “T” shape with both cars. These types of accidents—due to the point of impact to the affected vehicles, safety measures, vehicle speed, and vehicle weight—can often lead to more serious injuries than other types of collisions. In some conditions, they can also lead to a multi-vehicle accident.
Let’s go over everything you need to know about broadside collision injuries and how a personal injury attorney can assist you in this time of need.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF BROADSIDE COLLISIONS?
Like many other car accidents, broadside collisions are typically due to driver inexperience, driver negligence, or driver intoxication. However, there are other elements that lead to this type of crash, including the following:
- Failure to stop at four-way intersections
- Failure to yield the right of way to vehicles and allow them to go first
- Failure to stop when the traffic light turns red
- Failure to wait before crossing turn lanes
- Driving recklessly and aggressively
- Driving while distracted—typically talking and texting on cellphones
- Driving with mechanical problems such as faulty brakes
- Poor or extreme weather conditions
WHY ARE BROADSIDE COLLISIONS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS?
Getting hit on the side of your vehicle is one of the most vulnerable spots on a car. Even with side airbags, some collisions happen at such a fast speed that the airbags fail to really protect you or a passenger.
Some injuries that are possible in a broadside collision are the following:
- Lacerations from breaking glass
- Becoming hard of hearing due to the noise of the impact
- Broken ribs
- Broken collarbones
- Broken shoulders
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Fatality
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN INJURY FROM A BROADSIDE COLLISION
Even if you don’t think that you are severely injured after a broadside collision, it’s still always recommended to visit a physician after you have been in an accident. Your doctor can double-check to see if there are internal injuries that may not be physically presenting symptoms right away and help you recover quicker.
If you believe someone else’s negligence was responsible for your accident, you may also want to learn more about pursuing legal action to pursue compensation for your injuries.
You don’t have to go through this fight alone. If you or a loved one has been injured in a broadside collision in Georgia, you have legal rights. Call the Fry Law Team at 404-969-1284 to set up a consultation today.
