A side impact crash may also be referred to as a T-bone or roadside collision. These are second only to head on collisions when it comes to the numbers of fatalities and injuries caused every single year.
That’s according to research from the National Safety Council. In a side impact crash, one vehicle hits another in a perpendicular manner. It can often take the human body, and in particular your head, some time to catch up with the intervening force.
This is one of the most common causes of whiplash injuries. Although seat belts and airbags can help to minimize the impact, the human body is only able to absorb so much force. When the force involved in the accident exceeds the body’s ability to handle it, injures ranging from whiplash to fractures to organ damages and sprains can occur.
Secondary collisions with stationary objects and other vehicles are often quite common with side impact collisions. Rollovers can also happen when the accident is enough. Some of the liability issues involved in these kinds of accidents include:
- Failing to yield
- Running a red light
- Failing to come at a complete stop at a four-way intersection
- Not gauging oncoming traffic appropriately
- Turning across traffic lanes
- Aggressive and reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Steering and braking failure
- Bad weather
No matter what kind of injuries you have sustained in a side impact collision, sharing your interpretation of the accident with an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately after it occurs is your best opportunity to understand how your future may be impacted and why an injury claim may be necessary.

SENIOR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY & FIRM FOUNDER
Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who graduated from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1987. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes how insurance companies work and how they decide how much to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael’s inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents. Learn more about Michael Pines