Side-impact collisions refer to both T-bone and sideswipe accidents. In a T-bone accident, one car strikes the other on the side at a perpendicular angle, so the vehicles form a T-shape when viewed top-down. In a sideswipe accident, one car bumps or slides across the side of another when passing by in the same or opposing direction.
While sideswipe accidents often only result in property damage, they can lead to injuries if the struck vehicle is forced off the road or into another object. T-bone accidents, however, frequently result in severe injuries due to the forces experienced by occupants of the struck vehicle.
When seeking compensation for your injuries and property damage after an accident, it’s essential that you work with a determined and understanding Lafayette car accident lawyer from The Thibeaux Firm. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with Attorney Omar Thibeaux, who will review your case, explain your rights, and determine your next steps.
Leading Causes of Side-Impact Car Collisions in Lafayette
Side-impact car collisions typically result from driver negligence, including distracted, fatigued, or intoxicated driving. For example, these drivers may struggle to stay in their lanes, resulting in sideswipe accidents when they drift into the sides of adjacent vehicles.
One of the leading causes of Lafayette T-bone auto accidents is when a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. This tends to happen at intersections when one driver attempts to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic without accurately judging the time they have to complete the maneuver. It can also occur if a driver runs a stop sign or red light, colliding with another vehicle legally crossing the intersection.
Not all side-impact collisions happen at high speeds. Low-speed collisions frequently occur in parking lots. However, while the speeds involved in these collisions may be lower, victims can still suffer a range of injuries, including whiplash.
Common Injuries and Damages from Side-Impact Accidents
Side-impact accidents can leave victims with severe injuries, requiring extensive medical treatment and leaving them out of work for long periods while they recover. Some of the most common and serious injuries resulting from these collisions include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries, which can lead to brain swelling, brain bleeding, and permanent cognitive and physical disability.
- Spinal cord injuries, which can result in chronic pain conditions or partial or complete paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Fractured bones, including broken ribs, arms, and legs, may take weeks or months to heal and cause long-term loss of mobility.
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, can cause severe pain, restrict mobility, and may require surgery to treat.
- Lacerations caused by broken glass and other sharp objects flying around during the crash can leave victims with scarring and disfigurement.
- Internal organ injuries may be difficult to identify because they don’t always display symptoms right away. However, these injuries can worsen over time, making immediate medical treatment essential.
After a side-impact accident injury, you can seek economic and non-economic damages through an auto insurance claim filed against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy. Economic damages refer to compensation sought for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other losses with tangible value. Non-economic damages refer to compensation sought for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses without tangible value.
What to Do After a Side-Impact Car Collision in Lafayette
Taking the following steps after a side-impact accident in Lafayette can strengthen your case and lead to a higher chance of recovering the compensation you need:
- Seek Medical Treatment – The first step after an accident should always be to seek treatment for your injuries, as it benefits your health and shows the insurance company you took your injuries seriously. It’s also important to follow up with your treatment until you fully recover or are not expected to recover further.
- Track Medical Bills – Make sure to keep all medical bills you receive related to the incident so your lawyer can use them when calculating your medical expenses.
- Document the Incident – Take photographs of the accident scene and your visible injuries, and write down everything you remember about the collision in a journal.
- Avoid Providing a Statement – The at-fault driver’s insurance company may contact you for a statement about the crash. You should never provide a recorded statement until after speaking to your lawyer because the insurance adjuster’s job is to get you to say something they can use against you.
- Contact an Attorney– The best way to protect your rights is to contact an experienced Lafayette car accident lawyer who can handle your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
How a Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer Can Maximize Your Compensation
A Lafayette side-impact car accident lawyer can help maximize your compensation in several ways.
First, they can investigate the accident, identifying all at-fault parties and gathering the evidence needed to prove their liability. The driver that struck you may not be the only one at fault, and the more people who might be to blame, the more sources of compensation may be available to you.
Your Lafayette personal injury attorney can also more accurately evaluate the value of your claim than you could on your own. Without a lawyer’s guidance, you might agree to a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your financial and personal costs. Perhaps most importantly, your attorney can represent you in settlement negotiations with the at-fault parties’ insurance providers and at trial if the insurers refuse to offer a fair settlement.
Why Choose Attorney Omar Thibeaux – The 25% Attorney for Your Case
Attorney Thibeaux has over 20 years of experience helping accident victims in Lafayette seek the compensation they need after a side-impact car accident. He has successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients over the years and always charges a flat 25% rate when he wins.
Contact The Thibeaux Firm for a free consultation if you’re looking for a respectful, caring, and hardworking Lafayette car accident attorney to handle your case. During your initial meeting with Attorney Thibeaux, he’ll review your case, explain your options for recovering compensation, and answer any questions you have.