Lakewood Truck Side Impact Collisions Lawyer
A side impact collision in Colorado can occur when one driver hits another driver on the side of their vehicle. This type of accident is also known as a T-bone accident, and they most often occur when one driver runs through a four-way intersection on a yellow or a red light. Events that frequently result in side impact collisions include speeding under specific conditions like rain or fog, failure to stop at a red light or a stop sign, distracted driving, illegal passing, failure to yield and reckless or aggressive driving.
If you were injured in a truck accident in which the opposing driver collided with the side of your vehicle, be sure to get in touch with a skilled attorney today. A Lakewood truck side-impact collision lawyer could sit with you to learn more about your case and provide you with guidance on how to go about recovering damages.
First Steps to Take Following a Side-Impact Collision
The first priority would be to get medical help for anyone involved in addition to getting emergency medical responders to the scene as soon as possible. It is also recommended to call a police officer to the scene so that a report can be made and evidence can be recorded.
The police officers who arrives at the scene will include details in their report of any conditions that will suggest who might be at fault. They might also ask witnesses whether traffic lights were red or green, if a driver failed to stop at the stop sign or stop light, and other questions to determine how the crash occurred.
While the party who was involved in the accident is awaiting the arrival or the police, if they are able to do so, they should try to speak with witnesses, take photographs of the accident scene with their phone, obtain insurance information from the other driver and wait for the police officer and other emergency medical professionals to arrive at the scene. If it appears that the scene is not safe from oncoming traffic, then all drivers and occupants of all vehicles should attempt to get away from the scene of the accident to avoid oncoming traffic.
Common Injuries Sustained
Side impact collisions often involve the most serious types of injuries, which in some cases, could prove to be fatal. Some injuries that can occur from side impact collisions can include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Hip injuries
- Head injuries from being thrown against the window of the vehicle
- Extremity injuries including shoulder injuries, arm injuries and leg injuries
Recoverable Damages
The damages that can be recovered for side impact injuries are similar to the recoverable damages in auto accident cases. However, due to the potential severity of the side impact injury, the dollar amount of damages can be much higher.
The types of damages that can be recovered include economic damages such as medical costs, lost wages, future wage loss; and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life. If a case makes it to trial, the court may decide to award punitive damages if the defense’s actions are considered so egregious that they should receive some form of punishment.
Get in Touch with a Lakewood Side-Impact Truck Accident Attorney
If you wish to obtain compensation following a side-impact truck accident, it is in your best interest to get in touch with an experienced attorney. A Lakewood truck side-impact collision lawyer could take depositions of doctors, witnesses, police officers, and other parties involved in the accident. If you wish to leverage these benefits in your case, call us today to schedule a consultation.