Side impact crashes in Mississippi can be extremely dangerous particularly to a vehicle occupant on the side of the vehicle involved in the collision. Broadside crashes are most common at intersections where the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. The at-fault driver that broadsides the other vehicle may cause a side impact accident by running a red light or stop sign or failing to obey right of way rules. Because the physical structure of the door area of a vehicle lacks the structural integrity of other areas of the vehicle and a lack of airbags, many Mississippi side impact collisions result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
When you are involved in a Mississippi side impact collision, you may be physically thrown against the door frame or window. This can result in severe head injuries resulting in traumatic brain injury. The injuries suffered in a side impact crash can be especially severe if there is a substantial weight disparity in the vehicle. If a large SUV collides with a mid-size or compact vehicle the door can crumple and cause devastating injuries to the occupant on that side of the vehicle. Although recently vehicle manufacturers have attempted to address some of the features of cars that leave vehicle occupants particularly vulnerable during a side impact collision including adding side impact and side window airbags and increasing the strength of vehicle doors and door frames.
Because side impact collisions often occur in intersections, there are a variety of unreasonably hazardous driving practices that contribute to these dangerous Mississippi collisions. The most common causes of broadside car accidents in Mississippi include the following:
- Distracted drivers who fail to observe stop signs or traffic signals
- Speeding drivers who are driving too fast to stop for cross-traffic at an intersection
- Motorists who make illegal turns into vehicle proceeding straight through an intersection
Mississippi side impact collisions can also cause injury or wrongful death to vehicle occupants because it may cause multiple impacts. When a vehicle is struck from the side, the vehicle may spin into other vehicles or obstructions causing a multiple impact collision. Vehicle occupants sometimes suffer the most serious injuries not during the original impact but during the subsequent collisions caused when the vehicle is spun into other traffic.
The only type of accident that is more likely to result in fatalities than side impact crashes are deadly head on collisions. If you or someone you love has been injured in a Mississippi side impact accident, you may be entitled to seek damages for your injuries. At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi side impact accident lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi. Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.