Cincinnati Side Impact Crash Lawyers

August 29, 2013 | By O'Connor Acciani & Levy
Cincinnati Side Impact Crash Lawyers

Also known as a broadside or T-bone crash, the side-impact collision is one of the most dangerous types of accidents a person can be involved in due to the relative lack of protection offered by a vehicles side panels and doors. In a side-impact collision, a vehicle is impacted by the front or rear end of another vehicle, forming the shape of a T. The cars safety features and the exact area the vehicle is hit will determine the severity of the injuries but typically they are very serious. Have you been injured in a side-impact collision that was not your fault? The team of auto accident attorneys at the law offices of O'Connor, Acciani & Levy believe the survivors of these accidents deserve to be represented fairly and compassionately in court. If you or someone you love was injured in a T-bone collision, you may be eligible for compensation because of the pain and suffering you endured. To find out how we can help, simply fill out the Free Case Evaluation form located on the right side of the page or call us today at (877) 288-3241 and let a personal injury lawyer in Cincinnati, OH review the details of your claim.

Causes Of Side Impact Collisions

Negligent or reckless driving is one of the main causes of any vehicle accident. Side impact crashes especially can take place when drivers simply do not watch the road before they act. Some of the most common causes of side-impact collisions include:
  • Disregarding No Turn On Red signs
  • Driver fatigue
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Failure to yield to right-of-way
  • Hydroplaning
  • Improper vehicle maintenance
  • Speeding
  • Texting while driving
  • Vehicle defects
  • Visual distractions
and many others. Research shows that side-impact collisions are more likely to involve rapid changes in speed and multiple vehicle accidents. In some cases the crumple zones of both vehicles can absorb much of the force of impact, but not all of it. This leaves passengers on either side of the vehicle exposed to the force of an oncoming car or truck, which is why the injuries caused in these accidents can be deadly.

Vehicle Crash Testing

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts routine safety tests at different points of impact on the vehicle, including the side areas that absorb force from an opposing vehicle in a side impact crash. The Institutes research has contributed much of what vehicle manufacturers use to improve the safety features of their cars. Side-impact collision testing began in 2003, and the IIHS uses a 3,300 SUV-like barrier to collide with the drivers side door at 31 mph. Two small dummies representing a woman and 12-year-old child are placed inside the vehicle to assess the strength of the vehicles side panels and doors and the amount of injury that would be sustained in a similar real-life situation. This testing scenario was devised because woman and small children are more likely to sustain head injuries in a side-impact crash simply because their height puts them almost face-to-face with the front end of the opposing vehicle. The data from the institute suggests that a real-world impact of this nature would likely kill the vehicle occupants, so by conducting the test at speeds and forces greater than what would normally be seen can help create better safety systems for future vehicles.

T-Bone Crash Injuries

Some of the frequently cited injuries that occur in a side-impact crash include:
  • Broken bones
  • Concussions
  • Head trauma
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations
  • Paralysis
  • Death
  • Broken glass injuries
to name a few. In extreme cases, the vehicle that is hit can spin out of control or roll over, causing even more damage and injury to the victims trapped inside.