Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Auto Accident > What is a Side-Impact Collision?

What is a Side-Impact Collision?

Car crashes and automobile collisions have many different names depending upon how the wreck occurred and, in some cases, how many vehicles were involved. You might hear about, for example, a head-on collision (meaning a frontal collision, or crash in which two vehicles collide with one another while traveling in opposite directions), a rear-end crash (where one vehicle strikes the car in front of it, often as a result of distracted driving or following too closely), or a pileup collision (typically involving three or more vehicles that have each hit the vehicle in front from behind, creating a chain-reaction “pileup” of vehicles). Another common term to describe a type of crash is a side-impact collision.

What is a side-impact collision, who is usually at fault, and what do you need to know in order to seek compensation? Our Shreveport auto collision lawyers can tell you more.

Learning More About Side-Impact Collisions

Side-impact crashes are collisions that occur when one car or truck crashes into the side of a different vehicle. You might have heard of a T-bone crash, which is a specific kind of side-impact collision. A T-bone collision is also known as a right-angle collision because of the T-shape created when one vehicle crashes head-on into the side of another vehicle. General side-impact collisions can also be side-swipe collisions, where one vehicle forcefully “swipes” the side of another vehicle, which may occur, for example, while attempting to change lanes and failing to see another car in the blind spot. In some cases, side-impact crashes are also described as broadside collisions, or might be described as a wreck in which one car broadsided another.

In short, a side-impact collision involves an impact to the side of a vehicle, and these types of crashes are often severe and deadly. Drivers, and more often passengers, are injured or killed in side-impact collisions in Louisiana and throughout the country. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), side-impact crashes are responsible for approximately 23 percent of all passenger-occupant fatalities in motor vehicle collisions.

Liability for Side-Impact Crashes

Liability for a side-impact collision will depend upon the specific facts of the case. In many circumstances, a negligent motorist is liable for a side-impact crash due to, for example:

Distracted driving;
Running a red light or a stop sign;
Changing lanes without checking a blind spot;
Drunk or drugged driving; or
Drowsy driving.

Sometimes side-impact crashes can also have other causes, such as swerving to avoid debris in the road, or a vehicle defect.

How to Seek Compensation After a Side-Impact Collision in Louisiana

To seek compensation after a side-impact crash or any type of motor vehicle collision, you may be able to file an insurance claim or a civil claim against the liable party. In order to file a lawsuit, you will need to file your lawsuit within one year from the date of the crash according to Louisiana law. To ensure that you seek compensation in a timely manner, you should seek help from an attorney as soon as possible.

Contact an Auto Injury Lawyer in Shreveport

If you were injured in any type of traffic collision or motor vehicle crash in Louisiana, one of the experienced Shreveport auto injury attorneys at Rice & Kendig, LLC can assist you with your case. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us for assistance.

Sources:

iihs.org/media/0027a26d-8dd2-4de4-affc-0eb98338c6ba/cLjh9w/Ratings/Protocols/current/test_protocol_side-2.0.pdf.#:~:text=Side%20impact%20crash%20tests%20consist,at%20a%2090%2Ddegree%20angle

iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/passenger-vehicle-occupants

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813298

legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=110515

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on November 14, 2023

« What is a Mass Tort Claim and Can I File One?

Determining Motorcycle Crash Liability in Louisiana »

What our Clients Are Saying About Us

"I was hesitant about hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit, however Mr. Rice made me feel comfortable about my decision from day one, assuring me that I was doing..." Read More

Christy S.

"Outstanding service and extremely good at what they do. Everyone on their staff was extremely helpful and helped with whatever I needed. Would encourage anyone in need of a personal..." Read More

Cody A.

"They are fantastic! They took great care of me and made sure that they kept me updated through the entire process. They worked extremely hard, and did everything that they..." Read More

Emily K.

"Rice & Kendig are the best! I love the professionalism and how they do all the work in a timely manner. I love the outstanding team they have and how..." Read More

Shawn S.

Recent Results

$5,100,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client’s motorcycle was hit by a car leaving him in the ICU with facial injuries, arm injuries, and amputation of one leg.

$1,996,460

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was rear-ended while sitting at a stop sign. Neck and back injuries resulting in headaches and disability. Neck injury required surgery.

$1,855,500.80

Motor Vehicle Collision

Defendant driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign caused a collision injuring the client’s leg and ankle (required surgery), knee, hip, back, and chest. The airbags deployed, causing airbag injuries.

$1,800,000

Medical Malpractice

Inadequate life-saving staffing at emergency C-section resulted in child with cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia, and developmental delays.

$1,500,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was hit head-on by a delivery truck sustaining injuries to the knee, hand, neck, and back. Neck injury required surgery.

$1,400,000

Workplace Injury

A piece of loading equipment fell on client causing spinal injuries resulting in partial disability.

$1,375,000

Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision

Client sustained injuries to head, leg and wrist. Client’s broken leg required surgery. In addition, client sought treatment with a neurologist for his head injury and cognitive issues.

$1,151,000

Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was struck by a vehicle in a gas station parking lot. Client suffered head and brain damage resulting in memory loss.

$1,000,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended by a drunk driver of an 18-wheeler causing client to suffer short-term memory loss and injuries to the head, neck, shoulders, and back.

$1,000,000

Insurance Bad Faith

Insurance company refused to pay for hail damage to a commercial property.

$1,000,000

Premises Liability

Fall at a hotel convention center caused hand, neck, and low back injuries resulting in a 7-year recovery period.

$1,000,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was hit by a commercial vehicle that ran a stop sign. Injuries to the knee, neck, and back requiring interventional pain management.

$987,610.32

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended multiple times by a big rig causing PTSD, spinal injuries requiring spinal fusion surgery, physical therapy, and counseling.

$987,525.93

18-Wheeler Collision

Logging truck’s failure to yield caused client to suffer fractures in the arm and leg, amputation of 3 toes, and shoulder injuries.

$950,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was hit by a delivery truck and the vehicle rolled over. Client’s injuries included six broken ribs and a neck injury requiring extensive medical treatment.

$950,000

18-Wheeler Collision

18-wheeler driver turned left, without the protection of a green arrow, in front of client. The collision caused injuries to the hand, neck, shoulder, low back, hip, foot, ankle, and eye.

$800,606.26

Motor Vehicle Collision

A defendant driver turned left, without the protection of a green arrow, into client’s vehicle causing a collision that resulted in a severely broken leg that required immediate surgery, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of independence, and loss of job.

$800,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Head-on collision that left client with back and neck injuries as well as seat belt injuries. Client’s recovery was lengthy and included physical therapy and injections.

$750,000

Wrongful Death/Medical Malpractice

Child suffered fatal injuries due to complications with anesthesia.

$685,000

Premises Liability

Client sustained two broken legs from a fall over an unreasonably dangerous tripping hazard.

$665,000

Motor Vehicle Collision/Wrongful Death

Client went to the aid of a vehicle accident victim and was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.

$663,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was backed into while on the job at an oil field site. Collision resulted in numerous back and neck injuries requiring surgeries.

$650,000

18-Wheeler Collision

18-wheeler driver was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler causing headaches and neck injury.

$625,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Head-on collision led to wrist and hand injuries that required surgery, seat belt injuries, pain in the neck, sternum, pelvis, abdomen, shoulder, and back, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

$550,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended by a big rig causing low back and neck pain; physical recovery and treatment included injections, physical therapy, and counseling.