Side Impact Car Accidents

Side impact car accidents can result in injuries that are sometimes more severe than those in other types of car collisions. Knoxville car accident attorney Mark C. Hartsoe can help you if you were hurt in a side impact accident. Mr. Hartsoe has decades of experience helping accident victims take legal action against the responsible parties. He can provide the guidance and advocacy you need to help you seek compensation for your injuries. Call us today to discuss your case.

Side impact car crashes occur when the side of one vehicle is hit by the front or rear of another vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), these accidents can be particularly fatal. A car’s sides generally lack the structural capability to absorb the impact of a car collision, and cannot always shield its occupants from the impact. In a 2009 study, the IIHS found that side impact car crashes account for 27 percent of car accident fatalities in the U.S. Several factors contribute to the severity of a side impact car collision, such as speed and the size and weight of each vehicle.

Motorists can take steps to protect themselves in a side impact car accident. They can:

• Pay close attention to other vehicles at intersections and traffic signs
• Drive a car equipped with side and torso air bags
• Review a car’s side impact crash test ratings prior to purchase
• Wear a seat belt to avoid ejection in case of an accident

A driver’s failure to yield or obey traffic signals can cause side impact collisions and serious injuries to other drivers and passengers. Victims of side impact car crashes are more likely to suffer injuries, and can seek to hold the at-fault party responsible for their injuries.

Side impact car accidents can be caused by careless driving. Under Tennessee law, motorists are required to follow the rules of the road. This includes yielding the right of way, obeying traffic signals and signs, and sharing the road with other motorists. All drivers must exercise care when they operate their vehicle.

In a side impact car collision, the driver that causes the accident may have failed to exercise his or her duty of care. He or she may have been too distracted to pay attention to the rules of the road. The driver may have disregarded a traffic signal or sign, or may have been speeding at the time of the crash. By failing to exercise care, a driver’s reckless behavior can result in serious harm to another motorist, passenger, or pedestrian.

If you were hurt in a side impact car accident, you can potentially hold the negligent party responsible for your injuries. Side impact car crashes often lead to severe injuries that require long-term treatment. You can seek compensation for your medical costs, rehabilitation care, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Side impact car accidents are fatal in some cases. If a loved one died in a side impact accident, Tennessee law allows you to file a wrongful death suit against the driver responsible for the accident. You can seek compensation for your relative’s medical bills, funeral costs, and loss of consortium.

Knoxville personal injury lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe is dedicated to helping clients in the Knoxville area who have been injured in side impact car accidents. With his years of experience in the area of personal injury, Mr. Hartsoe knows what it takes to prepare your case and represent you. He will canvas the accident scene, speak to witnesses and experts, and deal with the insurance companies. Mr. Hartsoe can work towards a settlement on your behalf, and is ready to vigorously advocate for you at trial if necessary. Call us today at 865-804-1011 or contact us online to see how we can help you.