Broadside car collisions typically happen at traffic intersections where stop signs or traffic signals are present. In a broadside collision, the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another. These collisions are also sometimes called T-bone accidents.
When the striking vehicle collides with the other one, the force of the impact might cause the vehicle on the receiving end to spin around or even overturn in the middle of the intersection. As you might imagine, the drivers and passengers can suffer extremely serious injuries in these collisions.
In addition to traffic intersections, parking lots and parking garages are common locations for T-bone collisions. For example, a driver might be pulling out of their parking space and fail to pay attention to the road, broadsiding an oncoming vehicle. Even broadside collisions at slower speeds in parking lots can cause serious injuries, especially to occupants on the same side as the collision.
Wherever the location, if you have suffered injuries in a broadside collision, seek out a lawyer who has experience settling and litigating these accident claims. A skilled team of car accident lawyers can review the circumstances of your broadside car accident with you and determine if you can file a claim or lawsuit for damages. If you can, your accident injury lawyer can assist you throughout every step of the process, including submitting a demand package to the insurance company for the at-fault driver.
They can then work to negotiate favourable settlement compensation on your behalf. If the insurance company does not offer you the compensation that you deserve, your accident lawyer can file a lawsuit in the court system and litigate it to a favourable conclusion.
Why Do Broadside Traffic Accidents Commonly Occur?
Broadside accidents happen on Alberta roads because of driver negligence and error. In a motor vehicle collision, driver negligence can take several different forms. In some cases, drivers violate traffic laws and regulations, while at other times, they operate their vehicles while distracted or under the influence of alcohol. These common causes are explained in more detail below.
Violating traffic laws
When motor vehicle operators get behind the wheel, they must follow all applicable traffic laws and regulations. This includes refraining from speeding and yielding the right-of-way at traffic intersections when it is appropriate to do so. Many broadside accidents happen when drivers run red lights and stop signs at these intersections and fail to follow other rules of the road. When that happens, broadside accidents can occur, which lead to severe personal injuries and property damage.
Engaging in distracted motor vehicle operation
Drivers engage in distracted driving when they fail to pay attention to the road. They might have their heads turned to discipline a young child in the back seat, or they might be listening to loud music in the car. Alternatively, drivers might be trying to program a GPS device or send a text message while operating their vehicle. When a driver diverts their attention away from the road and onto something in the vehicle, they might miss a stop sign or red traffic light, bringing about a broadside collision in the middle of the traffic intersection.
Intoxicated driving
Motor vehicle drivers who operate their vehicle while alcohol or drugs impair them significantly increase the chances that they will cause a broadside accident. Alcohol can significantly impair a driver’s vision and ability to react to situations that arise on the roadway. An intoxicated driver, for example, might not see a red or yellow traffic signal—or a stop sign—as they approach a traffic intersection. In addition, if they fail to see the light, they might not stop their vehicle in time to avoid a broadside impact with another car or truck.
If you suffered injuries in a broadside motor vehicle collision that resulted from one or more of these types of negligence, you may file a claim or lawsuit to seek monetary damages. A motor vehicle accident lawyer can meet with you to discuss the circumstances of your accident and determine your eligibility for filing a personal injury claim. We can then work to pursue the compensation that you need through settlement or litigation.
Common Injuries in Broadside Motor Vehicle Accidents
Victims of a broadside motor vehicle crash can suffer extremely severe injuries. One of the most important factors that affect the seriousness of an accident victim’s injuries is the force of the impact. A forceful collision might cause a driver or passenger’s body to abruptly move about inside their vehicle and strike something in the vehicle, such as the headrest, console, doorframe, dashboard, or steering wheel. In a forceful broadside collision, accident victims can suffer any of the following injuries:
- Traumatic head injuries, including concussions (such as from striking the headrest, steering wheel, or window at the time of impact)
- Bone fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Death
If you or someone you care about has suffered one or more of these serious injuries in a broadside collision, seek prompt medical care as soon as possible—preferably by traveling from the accident scene to the hospital in an ambulance. At a hospital emergency room, the health care provider on duty can do any of the following for you:
- Render emergency medical assistance—such as an emergency surgery—if necessary
- Take imaging studies, such as a CAT scan, X-ray, or MRI, to uncover the seriousness of your injuries
- Refer you for follow-up care
After suffering injuries in a broadside collision, it is also a good idea to follow up with your primary care or family doctor if you have one. Speak with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our legal team will begin to gather the necessary police reports, witness statements, and lost wage documents that will be necessary when it comes time to file your car accident claim. While we do this, you can focus all of your attention on getting better and making a full recovery from your accident-related injuries.
Proving Your Right to Recover Monetary Compensation for Your Injuries
Victims of broadside collisions that occur at traffic intersections and in parking lots or garages have the legal burden of proof in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Specifically, they will need to satisfy the following legal elements to recover monetary compensation and damages:
- That the person who caused the broadside accident failed to yield the right of way under the circumstances or otherwise behaved in a negligent manner
- That as a result of the at-fault driver’s carelessness and negligence, the broadside collision occurred
- That the accident victim suffered at least one personal injury in the crash
- That the accident was at least a cause (in other words, one of many possible causes) of the injury or injuries which the accident victim suffered
Proving the legal elements of a broadside accident claim can sometimes be an uphill battle. This is especially true when the insurance company for the at-fault driver is being difficult. A car accident lawyer can help you prove all of the legal elements of your case and work to maximize the compensation that you can recover.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim Following a Broadside Traffic Accident
Victims of broadside traffic accidents that resulted from another driver’s negligence might be in a position to file a personal injury claim that seeks money damages for their injuries. A lawyer can assist you with every aspect of filing that claim and pursuing compensation.
As part of the claims-filing process, we will first gather all of the necessary documentation, draft a settlement demand letter, and submit the entire package to the insurance company for the at-fault driver. Demand package documents typically include copies of witness statements, investigative reports (including copies of the police report if an officer prepared one), lost wage documents, and photographs of injuries and property damage.
The insurance company adjuster will then review the demand package and decide whether or not to accept fault for the collision. In many broadside accidents, it is clear that the vehicle driver who ran the stop sign or red light was at fault. When that happens, the insurance company may admit liability for the collision.
If the insurance company admits fault, the adjuster handling the case might offer a settlement. After several rounds of negotiations between the insurance company and the accident victim’s lawyer, the case can resolve. However, at other times, the insurance company might be acting difficult, in which case the accident victim’s lawyer can file a lawsuit in the court system.
Even after the litigation process begins, the parties can still resolve their claim through settlement. Alternatively, they can take the case to a trial and let the judge or jury decide what, if any, damages to award the accident victim. Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, like binding arbitration and mediation, may also be available to the parties in the personal injury case.
What Damages Can I Recover for the Injuries I Suffered in a Broadside Car Accident?
Injuries that victims of broadside motor vehicle collisions suffer can be debilitating and, in some cases, permanent. Accident victims who can satisfy all of the legal elements of their claims may be eligible to pursue and recover various monetary damages. However, motor vehicle accident claims are not interchangeable, and an accident victim’s damages in one case might be significantly higher or lower than the damages an accident victim recovers in a different case. Some of the most common factors that will impact the types and amounts of damages that victims of broadside collisions recover include:
- The severity of the accident victim’s injuries
- The types of injuries that the accident victim sustained
- The pain and suffering the victim experienced due to their injuries
- Whether or not the accident victim suffered a permanent injury in the collision (as determined by a qualified healthcare provider)
As part of a personal injury claim or lawsuit that arises from a broadside motor vehicle collision, an accident victim might be eligible to recover their out-of-pocket costs as well as income loss/ lost wage compensation, if they had to miss time from their jobs following an accident.
In addition to these economic damages, injured victims of broadside collisions can claim noneconomic damages. These damages compensate accident victims for all of their:
- Inconvenience
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of the ability to use a body part (such as with a paralysis injury)
- Permanent disfigurement resulting from the accident (including permanent scars)
- Permanent disability
- Loss of spousal consortium or family support
When it comes to maximizing the compensation that you can recover in your car accident case, get skilled legal representation on your side advocating for you every step of the way. The right car accident lawyers will zealously advocate for you at the settlement negotiating table and in the courtroom. When you retain us to represent you in your case, you can rest assured that we will aggressively pursue all of the compensation that you deserve.
Speak to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer About Your Situation and Options Today
Our team prides itself on thoughtful, thorough, and result-oriented legal representation. Let us help you obtain the results you deserve. For a free legal consultation and case evaluation with a skilled car accident lawyer and injury lawyer, please call us today or contact us online for more information. We handle all types of accident cases, including those involving broadside crashes. We are ready to help you.
