Side impact crashes, also called T-bones or side-swipes, are some of the most dangerous types of New York auto accidents . They occur when the side of a vehicle is hit or struck by another vehicle, often at an intersection. About 9,000 deaths occur each year as a result of side-impact car accidents.
Side-impact crashes are especially dangerous because they expose the human body to direct impact, often without airbags or the front of the car to soften the blow. Side-impact crashes are some of the most deadly types of accidents, accounting for almost one quarter of all fatal car wrecks in the US each year.
The most common cause of a side-impact collision is failure to yield right of way, and they most commonly occur in intersections. Some side-impact crashes happen when a driver fails to stop at a red light or stop sign, ramming another driver who has a green light. Others occur when cars are changing lanes or merging onto a multi-lane highway.
Side-impact crashes can lead to a multitude of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Victims of side-impact accidents often suffer dislocations, broken bones, burns, and bruises, as well as back and neck injuries. Most fatalities in side-impact car crashes occur as a result of head or brain injuries.
Car manufacturers are just beginning to address the dangers of side-impact collisions, adding safety features such as reinforced doors and side-airbags to protect drivers from these collisions. But these safety features are still not standard in most vehicles, which means that side-impact crashes are still a danger to both drivers and passengers.
If you or a loved one have been in a New York auto accident, you may be eligible to recover damages for your injuries. If another driver was negligent and ran a stoplight or merged without right of way, resulting in a side-impact accident, you likely can receive compensation for your medical bills, missed work, and emotional distress.
The first step in filing a personal injury claim relating to a side-impact accident is to contact a Long Island auto accident attorney. An attorney can fight for your legal rights, guaranteeing that you receive the highest compensation possible. It is not wise to proceed with a car-accident case on your own.
Contact the legal team at Rappaport, Glass, Greene, and Levine today for a free consultation. Our Long Island auto accident attorneys are second to none, and will provide world-class legal representation to you and your family. You can call us at 866-639-5567.
