Every year, a number of people in Florida and throughout the United States are injured and killed in side impact collisions. Side impact accidents can change lives in an instant. If you’ve been injured in a side impact collision that was not your fault, it is important to speak to a qualified Miami injury attorney who can assess the merits of your case and help you get the compensation you deserve for your harm. Often referred to as a “T-bone accident,” side impact collisions occur when one vehicle collides with the side of another. The United States Office of Health, Safety, and Security estimates that side impact crashes are responsible for over 9,000 deaths every year. In fact, one out of every four automobile accident fatalities in the United States is due to a side impact collision. The only other type of collision that results in more deaths on an annual basis is head on collisions.
Side impact collisions happen for a variety of reasons, including driver carelessness. For example, side impact collisions are often caused by drivers who fall asleep at the wheel, are speeding, get distracted by their phone, or are even intoxicated. When a driver’s carelessness causes the side impact collision, he or she will be considered negligent. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care while driving. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent person would act in the same or similar circumstances. To establish negligence, a plaintiff must show the following:
- The driver owed the victim a duty to use reasonable care while driving;
- The driver breached this duty owed to the victim by engaging in an activity that a prudent driver would not have engaged in (like speeding);
- The driver’s breach caused the accident; and
- The plaintiff sustained actual damages as a result.
Once the plaintiff establishes negligence, he or she will be able to recover damages for his or her harm, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. The exact amount of compensation a plaintiff will be able to recover will vary based on the specific situation. If you’ve lost a loved one in a side impact collision, you may be able to recover damages through a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims are extremely complex and can only be filed by certain surviving relatives of the decedent. Thus, it is imperative to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney if you are even contemplating pursuing such a claim.
At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami auto accident attorneys are committed to seeking justice and compensation for the injured individuals in our community. We have helped many South Florida clients resolve their personal injury claims and can help you as well. We will scrutinize the facts of your case and create a strategy suited to your specific circumstances. We understand that dealing with an accident can be very stressful, which is why you can expect the utmost respect and compassion from our entire team. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us online or call us today at 1-877-499-HURT (4878).
More Blog Posts:
Duty to use AED by Florida School – Limones v. Lee County School District, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, August 17, 2015
Elevator and Escalator Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, August 17, 2015
Airbag Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, July 28, 2015