If you suffered an injury in a car crash, a qualified Pasadena side impact collision lawyer may be able to help you understand your rights and the legal obstacles you may need to overcome to win financial compensation. Read on to learn more about how a dedicated injury attorney can make a difference in your case today.
What Causes an Accident?
Side impact collisions can occur in many circumstances, most often when one of the drivers involved fails to exercise due care to the motorists around them. This can happen when a driver violates a provision of the California Vehicle Code. These provisions can include:
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Failing to stop at a red light
- Failing to maintain one’s lane
Side impact collisions may occur when a driver fails to stop at a red light or stop sign before entering an intersection, when a car pulls out from a driveway into the path of an oncoming vehicle, when someone is entering a roadway or freeway and fails to yield, or when a driver makes an unsafe lane change and collides with the side of another vehicle. When a driver has acted in these types of negligent ways, a skilled Pasadena side impact collision lawyer can work to hold these individuals accountable for the injuries they caused.
Injuries Resulting from Side Impact Collisions
Side impact collisions can cause unique injuries due to the nature of the wreck. A seasoned Pasadena side impact collision lawyer will understand the mechanics of an accident and how they cause these injuries. Examples of damages typical of side impact collisions can include:
- Traumatic brain and skull injuries
- Spinal cord injury, including vertebrae fracture and paralysis
- Bone fractures, particularly in the ribs
- A collapsed lung, also known as a pneumothorax
- Ruptured spleen
- Injuries to the knee, torn ACL or MCL, and patella fractures
- Injuries to the shoulder, torn meniscus, rotator cuff
- Collarbone fracture
A side impact collision often causes crush injuries when the other car strikes the driver or passenger door. In addition, the driver or passenger’s lower body is pushed in the same direction the other car was traveling. When this occurs, the individual’s head may often whiplash in the opposite direction and strike the car window or window frame. This makes head and neck injuries particularly common in these types of accidents.
Recoverable Damages
A person involved in a side impact can recover economic damages and non-economic damages. Non-economic would include things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and physical injury. There is also economic damages like being unable to work, hospital bills, paint for one’s car, etc. If some facts that show that the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then there could potentially be punitive damages as well.
First Steps to Take
Someone in a side-impact collision should seek medical care. They should not talk to the other person other than to get their insurance and registration. If the other person is hostile, do not talk about the accident. Do not try to assume blame or get hostile. If a person needs it, they should seek medical care immediately, and the next priority would be taking down as much information as possible.
They should write down the time of day, the dates, the location, and take pictures of the cars and license plates. They should also see if there are witnesses around that are willing to give their name and number and they should call the police to take a report. A person should also seek the help of a Pasadena side-impact collision lawyer when filing an injury claim.
Working with a Pasadena Side Impact Collision Lawyer
In the aftermath of a side impact car accident, it is often very important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible to ensure no serious medical concerns go undetected and untreated. However, it may be wise to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible following your treatment in order to determine whether you have grounds for a civil suit against the driver responsible for your injuries.
When a Pasadena side impact collision lawyer becomes involved early in a claim, they may be able to make sure all facts and evidence are preserved for your case. A skilled attorney can advise you on how to obtain the best medical care and answer all your questions to put your mind at ease. Consider reaching out to a professional Pasadena side impact collision lawyer today for your initial consultation.