The types of side impact accidents include T-bone crashes, sideswipes, and angled crashes in which the front of one motor vehicle collides with some point on the side of another motor vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that from 2017 to 2018, over 14,000 motor vehicle crashes occurred that involved either a sideswipe or angled collision with one or more other vehicles. All these side-impact accidents can result in significant injuries for drivers and passengers.
Although vehicle manufacturers have begun to include side airbags in newer model vehicles to address the potential harm these crashes cause, many vehicles still lack these safety protections. As a result, individuals may suffer debilitating injuries when involved in a side-impact accident.
T-Bone Collisions
T-bone collisions happen when the front of one motor vehicle directly strikes the side of another vehicle at a right angle, thus causing the two vehicles to form a “T” shape. The driver and the passengers of the vehicle that are struck in a T-bone collision are at greater risk of injuries, as the other driver is much farther away from the point of collision.
The vehicle’s occupants often have little protection between themselves and the point of collision. The vehicle doors often will collapse inward when struck, which puts the occupants at risk of harm. Side-impact airbags are available in newer vehicles, but many earlier models do not include this safety feature.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents typically occur when two vehicles travel in the same direction, whether they are driving in parallel lanes or one vehicle attempts to pass the other. The driver of one vehicle crosses the line that marks its lane, which causes the side of the first vehicle to hit the side of the second vehicle.
These accidents can also occur when two vehicles travel in the opposite direction, and one vehicle leaves the lane. An NHTSA report on sideswipe collisions found that these crashes sometimes happen because drivers fail to check their mirrors and general surroundings adequately before changing lanes.
Angled Crashes
Angled crashes often happen when one driver fails to yield to another as it merges into traffic or the driver attempts to cross an intersection without first stopping at a red light or stop sign. In this scenario, the driver may hit another vehicle’s side at an angle as it partially crosses through the intersection. Depending on the speed, these crashes can result in substantial injuries to the drivers and passengers.
Contact Us for Help Following a Side Impact Accident
Based on the circumstances and the type of side impact accident involved, you may be eligible to seek compensation for injuries you suffered during the wreck. It might help to get legal advice on claiming compensation for your injury-related losses. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine by calling 1-800-747-3733 today and get more information about your legal rights to compensation.
