Side impact collisions can often be dangerous as the side of a vehicle has less protection. This means that any collision from the side can cause serious injuries to the occupants of the vehicle.
If you suffered a side impact collision in Brentwood, TN, you need to take swift action to protect your rights. You may need to initiate a personal injury lawsuit in Brentwood, TN with the assistance of a car accident attorney. To get legal assistance, contact us at Meyers Injury Law. Our side impact collision lawyer can assess your case and guide you on your best legal course of action.
Common Causes of Side Impact Collisions
There are different types of side impact collisions, such as a T-bone collision or broadside accident. Common causes include running a red light, failure to yield the right of way, driver fatigue, and distracted driving. Side impacts are also common in parking lots. For side-impact accidents that involve a side-swipe collision, the most common cause is unsafe lane changes. Other causes include poor visibility or impaired driving.
Injuries in Side Impact Collisions
Side impact accidents can result in severe injuries depending on the force and point of impact, occupant position, use of seat belts, safety features of the vehicle, and more. The most common injuries in side impact collisions include traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries, torso injuries, facial injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Along with physical injuries, car accident victims can also suffer from emotional trauma that can lead to anxiety and depression.
Victims might also suffer lost wages and loss of earning potential as a result of a severe accident. Side-impact collisions can also result in property damage. Repairing damaged vehicles can be costly and add to the financial burden of medical bills for the treatment of car accident injuries. According to Tennessee Law, if the damage to a vehicle is more than 75 percent of its real market value, then it is considered a total loss.
Tennessee Laws Regarding Side Impact Collisions
Tennessee has a modified comparative negligence system, where each party is assigned a percentage of liability in an accident. Based on this system, you cannot recover compensation if you are more than 50 percent at fault. Your compensation is reduced according to your percentage of fault in the accident. This applies to all auto accidents, including side-impact collisions.
Another important law for such accidents is the statute of limitations. You have a maximum of one year to initiate a claim or lawsuit. If you don’t do so within this window, the court can refuse to hear your case. There are some exceptions to this law, but they are rare.
Tennessee has strict laws against distracted driving. Any driver found guilty of texting or reading text messages behind the wheel can face penalties. Similarly, the state has strict penalties for those found guilty of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The state also has reporting requirements. Any accident that involves property damage of more than $400, injury, or death must be reported to the Tennessee Department of Safety. You can contact our car accident lawyer to learn more about the Tennessee laws that apply to your case.
Proving Fault in Side Impact Collisions
Tennessee is an at-fault state where the person responsible for the accident is also responsible for covering the damages. This makes establishing liability a vital component of car accident claims or lawsuits in Tennessee. You will have to rely on evidence to prove that the defendant was at fault for your suffering. The most commonly used evidence in side impact collisions is photos or videos of the vehicle damage, surveillance footage of how the accident happened, eyewitness testimony, and the police report for the accident. However, you can use other types of evidence to support your claim with the insurance company or a lawsuit in court.
How Can An Experienced Attorney Help?
Compensation for a side-impact accident depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries and the share of liabilities in the accident. However, you can get the maximum possible compensation for your medical expenses, property damages, and other losses in the side-impact or T-bone accident.
You can get in touch with our Brentwood side impact collision attorney at Meyers Injury Law to learn about the best legal strategy for your case to get full and fair compensation for your damages. We have extensive experience in car accident cases. Using our deep understanding of Tennessee laws, we offer our clients legal guidance and representation.
