Side-impact collisions happen when an automobile hits another car on the side of the car. Side-impact accident are usually unexpected and forceful, and often lead to serious consequences for those involved, both physically and emotionally.
If you were involved in side-impact collision, a Burbank car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti is here to help you. We have the experience and the track record to guide you through the legal proceedings to a successful outcome.
Side-Impact Accidents and Their Causes
Side-impact collisions, also known as T-bone accidents, can be very dangerous. These crashes happen when one car hits the side of another, making a "T" shape. Because there’s less protection on the sides of cars, these accidents often lead to serious injuries like broken bones, brain injuries, and emotional trauma. If you’ve been in a side-impact collision in Burbank, it’s important to get help. A skilled lawyer can guide you through the complicated legal process and help you seek fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Don't navigate this alone—get the support you need to recover.
What is a Side-Impact Accident?
A side-impact collision occurs when one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle, often at intersections or during turns. These auto accidents can be very serious because the sides of cars provide less protection than the front or back. People who experience these types of accidents often find that recovery takes a long time, both for their bodies and their emotions. If you’ve been in a side-impact collision, you should to talk to a Burbank side-impact collision lawyer to help you navigate your recovery.
Causes of T-Bone Accidents
- Running Red Lights: One of the most common causes of T-bone accidents is when negligent drivers ignore traffic signals and traffic laws. This usually occurs at intersections where one driver fails to stop at a red light.
- Distracted Driving: Things like as texting, talking on the cell phone, or using in-car infotainment systems can take a driver's attention from the road, leading to potentially dangerous situations
- Speeding: Speeding reduces a driver's ability to react in time to prevent a side-impact collision. The force of the impact also increases with speed, leading to more severe injuries.
- Drunk Driving: Impaired judgment and slowed reflexes can come from alcohol or drug use, making drivers more likely to cause accidents, particularly at intersections where side-impact collisions are most common.
- Failure to Yield: When drivers do not yield the right-of-way, they can easily find themselves crashing into another vehicle, especially in busy urban areas.
Consequences of Side-Impact Collisions
The injuries you get from side-impact collisions can be devastating. People may experience a wide range of injuries:
- Serious Bodily Injuries: These may include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, organ damage, and other injuries that require immediate medical attention.
- Emotional Distress: The consequences of an accident can lead to psychological issues such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
- Long-Term Impacts: Some injuries may result in chronic pain and lifelong disabilities, possibly requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
A Burbank Side-Impact Collision Lawyer Can Help You
After a side-impact collision, dealing with injuries and the legal process can be tough. A Burbank side-impact collision lawyer can help you in important ways:
- Medical Treatment: A lawyer will put you in touch with the best medical professionals in the area to receive treatment for your accident injuries, like physical therapy.
- Finding Evidence: Your lawyer will collect important documents like police reports, witness statements, and medical bills and medical records to help your case.
- Accident claim: Your legal team will file an insurance claim for you.
- Property damage: Your lawyer will help you make sure you get compensated for your car damage.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters often try to pay less. A skilled lawyer will negotiate for you to make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
- Representing You in Court: If you can’t reach a settlement, your lawyer is ready to take your case to court and fight for your rights. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti is ready to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
Post-Accident Steps You Should Take
If you are involved in a side-impact collision, consider these essential steps:
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and get checked by a medical professional, even if you feel fine, and even if you are worried about the cost of medical expenses.
- Call Law 911: Get law enforcement involved so they can write an accident report.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, and gather contact information from witnesses.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Report the accident, but avoid giving statements that could be misconstrued or used against you.
- Consult a Lawyer: Early involvement of a Burbank side-impact collision lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your claim.
Proving Negligence in a T-Bone Accident
In order to get compensation in a side-impact collision, you must prove that the at-fault driver acted unsafely. If you are partly to blame for the accident, you can still obtain recovery based on your percentage of fault. This is called the comparative negligence rule.
You Have a Limited Time to Act in an Injury Case
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in California, it’s important to know about the time limit for filing a personal injury claim. You have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action for damages and emotional pain, which is called the statute of limitations. After that, you may lose your chance to sue, so it’s important to act quickly and talk to a personal injury lawyer. Sometimes, the time limit can change based on certain situations, like if the injured person is a minor or if injuries are discovered later. A good lawyer can help you file your claim on time and put together important evidence, like witness statements and police reports, to help you get a fair settlement.
How California Car Insurance Coverage Applies to Your Claim
Starting in 2025, California has updated its liability insurance requirement for drivers. Instead of the old 15/30 policy, which provided $15,000 for injuries to one person and $30,000 for injuries in total per accident, the new rule is a 30/60 policy. This means drivers must now have at least $30,000 for injuries to one person and $60,000 for injuries in total per accident. While having insurance is the law, many people still don’t follow it. In fact, about 16% of drivers in California are uninsured, which can lead to serious problems if they cause an accident.
If you were injured in a t-bone accident, the person who hit you may have the minimum insurance coverage. If they do, and your injuries are worth more than that, an experienced car accident attorney can help you get maximum compensation.
Contact a Burbank Side-Impact Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a t-bone accident in Burbank, let the experienced attorneys from the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti help you.
Our law firm offers a FREE initial consultation and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don't get paid until you get paid.
Call us today at 626-793-8607 or use our contact form to reach us. We are eager to hear from you.
