Automobile collisions are responsible for about three million injuries each year and over 43,000 fatalities. Of these crashes nearly 9,000—or approximately percent—are side-impact accidents. Side-impact accidents are also known as T-bone crashes by virtue of the fact that when one vehicle hits another on the side it resembles a “T.” The location of a side-impact automobile accident puts the driver and passengers at significant risk. The sides of cars generally have far fewer safety features than other parts of the car since few cars other than higher end models have side-impact airbags. A front or back collision means there is several feet of metal and steel standing between a human being and the other car, but in a side collision there is little more than a door frame stopping the other vehicle from impacting with a person. In fact, this area has been dubbed the “crumple zone,” by experts who study car crashes. When a seat belt is properly worn it can certainly keep the body stationary but does not stop major injuries from occurring.
Typical Locations of Side-Impact Crashes
Most commonly a side-impact car crash will occur in an intersection. Quite often drivers see a yellow light and speed up in order to race through the stop light. A driver who is traveling through a green light can be broadsided in a mere instant with absolutely no way to avoid the accident. Children are the most vulnerable passengers in a side-impact car collision—even more so should they not be restrained in an approved child safety seat. In this instance a side-impact airbag could actually do more harm than good since airbags are designed to protect adults and can seriously injure a much smaller child. How severe the side-impact accident will be is also highly dependent on the relative height and weight of the vehicles involved. Imagine a truck or SUV which sits high off the ground hitting a low-to-the-ground sports car from the side. It is likely the driver of the sports car will sustain serious or even fatal head injuries.
Common Injuries from Side-Impact Crashes
Leg injuries are common in side-impact collisions, particularly when the impact occurs at the bottom of the car door, crushing the door inward. Leg lacerations, fractures or crushed bones are likely in this type of accident. In the same vein, hip injuries may be severe when the impact occurs in the middle of the door. A middle door impact can also lead to broken or crushed ribs and arm injuries or even severed limbs in high-speed crashes. The overall impact of the oncoming car striking the other on the side can lead to shoulder injuries that can include muscle tears, dislocation, broken shoulder bones or severe lacerations.
The back is likely to be injured in a side-impact collision with injuries ranging from a pinched nerve or slipped disc to a sprained or broken back. While whiplash injuries are more common in a rear-impact collision any time the neck is moved violently from one side to the next injuries such as whiplash or a strained, sprained or even broken neck can occur. Another downside to having a side airbag—although it could potentially save your life—is that, depending on the position of your head at the time of the crash—the airbag can hit the ear and head with considerable force. Loss of hearing, distortion of sounds and ringing of the ears can result. Head injuries which result from the head impacting with the side glass window can be severe—traumatic brain injuries often occur in side-impact car crashes.
Negligence as a Cause of Side-Impact Collisions
Negligent driving is one of the main factors in side-impact collisions. Because injuries to driver and passengers will likely be serious, it is crucial that a knowledgeable personal injury attorney be consulted who can ensure you achieve the best legal results possible. You could be entitled to medical expense compensation, lost wages and pain and suffering as well as for a partial, total or permanent disability.