If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a side-impact car accident in New Jersey due to another driver’s negligence, turn to Nagel Rice LLP. We are an experienced team of car accident attorneys with a history of winning hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements over our years in practice. Depending on the extent of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident, we will create an effective strategy to obtain maximum damages to see you through this turbulent time.
Three Types of Side-Impact Accidents
Though the words “side impact” brings to mind an image of the front of one vehicle slamming into the side of another (commonly known as a T-bone), there are three kinds of side-impact accidents. Here are descriptions of each:
T-bone Crashes most frequently occur when a car making a left turn at an intersection hits a vehicle going straight ahead. In the majority of cases of this type, the driver making the left turn is an at-fault party for neglecting to obey a traffic light or stop sign. Nonetheless, there is always the possibility that the driver heading straight through the intersection was the one to blame.
He or she may not realize, for example, that the turning driver had a green arrow. Also, some T-bone crashes happen when one vehicle skids on a road surface made slippery by weather or spillage, or when one vehicle has been pushed into the side of another by a collision with a third party.
Lateral Side-impact Collisions occur when a driver crosses over the line dividing the lanes and sideswipes the car on one side of it. Such accidents are due to the negligence of the side-swiping driver. The driver’s offense may be caused by lack of attention, failing to check the rearview mirror, or not taking into account the presence of a blindspot.
Single Driver Side-Impact Collisions occur when one driver loses control and smashes sideways into a tree, barrier, or other obstruction. Such accidents may seem always to be the fault of the driver who is possibly ill, distracted, asleep, or impaired by alcohol or drugs. Nonetheless, sideswipes can also be caused by driving mistakes made by third parties whom the victim is trying to avoid. They can also occur due to a slippery road surface, a sudden obstruction, such as an animal on the road, or unexpected debris.
It is, therefore, possible that a single driver side-impact collision may be caused by the county, city, or state that did not maintain the roads properly, or by another driver who forced the victim’s car off the road. In such cases, our capable attorneys may be able to file a viable lawsuit against the person or agency responsible for your accident and your injuries.
When you become a client of Nagel Rice, you can trust in our ability to ferret out the truth about your side-impact collision so that the appropriate party will be held liable for damages.
Why is a side-impact car accident so dangerous?
Side impact collisions are a serious matter, accounting for 20 percent of car accidents, but some of these collisions can be walked away from and some can cause catastrophic injuries.
As is true with all car accidents, where you are sitting in the car relative to the point of impact is a strong determinant of how seriously you may be injured. Another variable is the size of the vehicles involved. If you are in a compact car and hit by a large SUV, your injuries will almost certainly be more severe than those of the inhabitants of the other vehicle.
Other factors that may affect how badly you are injured in a side-impact collision is how well-equipped your car is with warning devices, airbags, large windshield and side mirrors, and whether you were wearing a seatbelt.
What are the most common injuries in a side-impact car accident?
Side-impact collisions very often result in whiplash and other spinal injuries, but a wide range of injuries can occur depending on the angle and force of impact. Whether you have suffered a fracture, deep lacerations, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), or some other incapacitating injury, Nagel Rice is here to fight hard to win you the damages you need and deserve to restart your life.
Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys Will Fight Vigorously for You and Your Family
We are well aware that in addition to physical pain, you are most likely experiencing emotional distress from your accident, so we will always provide you with compassion as well as legal representation. We know our way around a courtroom and are well-practiced in persuading the court that you are entitled to damages to cover whichever of the following apply:
- Property damage
- Lost income, present, and future
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of limb or organ
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral expenses, final medical costs, loss of support (in wrongful death cases)
We know how overwhelming a serious personal injury can be and are prepared to take care of the following matters while you rest and recover:
- Handle all communications with insurance companies and opposing legal teams
- Investigate the accident site
- Assess the damage to the vehicle(s)
- Read the police report and medical data thoroughly
- Consult with any necessary medical or accident reconstruction specialists
We will do everything in our power to make your life easier while you heal, including not charging you any attorneys’ fees until we win your case.
Contact Our Competent New Jersey Side-Impact Car Accident Today
Getting in touch with Nagel Rice lawyers as soon after the accident as possible puts you at an advantage. Apart from the necessity to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations (2 years for personal injury), the earlier we get to work on your case, the easier it will be to locate pertinent documents, interview witnesses with fresh memories, and collect physical evidence. Besides, once you contact us, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you’re in the hands of highly skilled attorneys who will always work in your best interests.