A side collision mainly occurs when two or more vehicles collide and one or both of the vehicles involved has its side impacted. This type of accident generally occurs at intersections, when vehicles are passing on a two lane highway, in parking lots, or when a car hits an unmoving object.

Another name for this type of accident is a T-bone collision or a broad side collision. A t-bone collision describes an accident where one car is hit in the side by the front or back of another vehicle, forming the shape of a "T." The most typical cause of this type of accident is failure to yield the right of way. Failure to obey traffic laws such as running a red light or a stop sign are causes of this type of accident as well.

Side Collision Statistics

Side collisions make up around 21% of the fatal accidents that occur and around 25% of the non fatal accidents that occur. This type of collision causes a person to be forced sideways and if there are no airbags in place, there is nothing that can take away the impact of the crash.

The most common types of injuries as a result of a side collision include head and neck traumas, injuries to the arms, legs, and chest, and possible joint dislocations. Additionally, bruises, cuts and soft tissue damage are common. When head injuries occur there can be additional issues as well, such as dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, and possible neurological issues.

Protection for Side Impacts

There are several ways to protect you from being involved in a side collision. The first and most important is to always pay attention when driving, especially at intersections. The other way to protect yourself against this type of accident is to purchase safety devices for your car that are designed to help protect you and your passengers if such an accident should occur.

A side collision warning system helps warn drivers when making a lane change or merging into oncoming traffic. These warning systems will also warn a driver should a car be near collision in a lane adjacent to theirs. The system is designed to detect both moving and stationary objects that are in the driver's blind spots. There are systems that can detect an object within a 120 degree view. The monitoring area is about 13 feet by 8 feet around the side of the vehicle.

Another safety feature that can help in the event of a side collision is a side airbag. There are a few choices of this type of device such as the chest side air bag that is installed on the side of the seat in the door. The head side air bag is placed in the roof above the doors and will protect your head should your car be involved in a collision. The other option is a combination of the head and chest air bags. The benefit of this type of airbag is the protection it offers should you be involved in an accident of any type, not just a side collision.

Additionally, you should always use the services of a reputable Alturas car accident attorney when victim of an accident. While the personal injury attorneys at JD Law Group have settled millions of dollars worth of claims litigated by California car accident attorneys, they can refer you to the highest rated car accident firms anywhere in the United States in order to maximize your settlement.

Disclaimer

JD Law Group Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and no legal

Information presented at this site should be construed to be formal legal advice, or to constitute the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee.