Side-Impact Accidents

Side-impact vehicle wrecks are some of the most dangerous types of accidents on the road. Sometimes referred to as “T-bone” or “broadside” collisions, they occur more often than you might think. These types of wrecks leave drivers and passengers vulnerable because there is not much space between the vehicle door and the person inside the vehicle to absorb the crash. If you or someone you know has been hurt in a side-impact collision near Marietta, we can help. At Miller Legal Services, our capable car wreck attorneys have helped countless victims pursue the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, more than 80,000 angled impact wrecks take place in this state every year. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that in 2009, side-impact accidents accounted for approximately 27 percent of passenger-vehicle occupant deaths. These collisions can take place for a variety of reasons, including a driver failing to stop at a stop sign or a red light. In some instances, a person who is excessively speeding may lose control of his or her vehicle and strike another automobile laterally.

Drivers who are involved in side-impact collisions can suffer serious injuries, such as broken bones, head trauma, brain damage, back injuries, and more. These types of harm can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of this is when an injury interferes with a victim’s ability to properly complete everyday tasks.

Georgia residents harmed by a negligent motorist can file a lawsuit against the at-fault individual. When a person is hurt in a car wreck caused by someone else, the victim may seek compensation for his or her injuries. In order to recover compensation, he or she must demonstrate the following elements:

• The defendant owed a duty of care to the injured person;
• The defendant breached this duty of care;
• The defendant’s breach was the direct cause of the victim’s injuries; and
• The victim suffered actual damages as a result.

A duty of care refers to the obligation of every driver to use reasonable care while behind the wheel. This simply means that each of us must behave in the same way as a typically prudent person would in a similar situation. Drivers owe this duty to everyone around them.

If a victim successfully establishes the elements of a negligence claim, he or she may be able to recover monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost income and benefits, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, therapy expenses, and more. If you have lost a loved one in a side-impact collision, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Every state has its own time frame within which personal injury lawsuits can be filed, known as the statute of limitations. In Georgia, this time period lasts two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within the statute of limitations could mean you lose your right to take legal action altogether.

If you have been injured in a side-impact wreck, the experienced auto accident lawyers at Miller Legal Services can help you assert your rights in the Marietta area or elsewhere in Georgia. We understand that a car wreck can be extremely stressful for you and your family. Our firm will work diligently to address your legal issues in a timely manner. We represent individuals near Roswell and Smyrna, among other communities. To learn more about your legal rights and options, call us at 770-284-3727 or contact us online for a free consultation.