Long Island, Manhattan Accident Attorney Blog

The Causes and Injuries of Side Impact Car Accidents

Side-impact car accidents—also known as 'T-bones' or 'side-swipes'—are some of the most dangerous type of car accident on the road.

About 9,000 deaths occur each year as a result of side-impact car accidents. This type of accident accounts for almost one quarter of all fatal car wrecks in the US each year, likely because they expose the driver's body to a direct impact without airbags or the front of the car to soften the blow.

There are many reasons that side impact car accidents occur, most often when one car fails to yield the right of way to another. Some common causes of this type of accident include:

• Failure to stop at a stop sign or red light
• Failure to yield when making a left turn
• Making a lane change without looking
• Improper merge onto a highway or interstate

Side-impact crashes lead to a multitude of injuries, ranging from minor to severe, including:
•    broken bones
•    burns or bruises
•    back, neck, and head injuries
•    wrongful death (often caused by head injuries)
Even though side-impact car accidents are among the most dangerous type, car manufacturers are only now beginning to address the safety of their cars for this type of accident. Safety features such as reinforced doors and side airbags are still not standard in most vehicles, nor are they required by law.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a New York side-impact car accident, you may be eligible to recover damages for your injuries. If another driver was negligent in running a stoplight or merging without right of way, you can likely 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 award possible.
Contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene, and Levine today for a free consultation. Our Long Island auto accident attorneys will fight for your legal rights and those of your family. You can call us at (800) 734-9445.