Side Impact Car Accidents

A side impact accident occurs when one vehicle slams into the side of another vehicle, such as in a T-bone fashion. These accidents commonly occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way when another vehicle is turning through the intersection or traveling straight through the intersection. These accidents are not uncommon in busy cities like Cranston, which is home to many people who commute to Providence as well as several major employers of its own. The city’s economy has been growing in recent years, which means that more and more people are finding opportunities there, with health care and manufacturing among the fastest-growing industries. As the city’s population increases, so does the chance that you will be involved in an accident with a careless driver. Cranston car accident lawyer David Tapalian has aided numerous victims with bringing a lawsuit to recover the damages that they need and deserve, and he can pursue the same goal for you.

A side impact crash can result in a broad range of injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious, life-altering injuries like brain damage, amputations, and even death. Regardless of the types of injuries that you have sustained, you generally can bring a negligence action against the driver who caused the accident to recover compensation for your injuries and property damage. The first step in a negligence action consists of showing that the defendant owed you a duty of care but failed to act according to that duty. In general, each motorist owes other drivers and pedestrians a duty to operate their vehicle with the same reasonable skill and care as a prudent person facing a similar situation. This means obeying all traffic laws, including yielding the right of way when appropriate, as well as refraining from activities like distracted driving or drunk driving. If you can show that the defendant did not comply with applicable traffic laws at the time of the crash, the defendant would need to provide compelling evidence to avoid a conclusion that they breached the duty of care.

After you have established that the defendant failed to drive with due care, you must also show that this failure was the cause of the injuries that you sustained. If the defendant tries to establish that some other substantial cause was to blame, your attorney may play a vital role in proving that all of the blame lies with the defendant so that you are not denied any of the damages that you deserve. For example, Rhode Island allows a defendant to offer evidence suggesting that the plaintiff acted negligently at the time of the crash and contributed to their own injuries. The jury can consider this evidence and assign a percentage of fault to the plaintiff, which will be used to reduce any award in the plaintiff’s favor. After causation is established, the final phase of the lawsuit involves determining the amount of compensation to which the plaintiff is entitled. The plaintiff will need to collect evidence of any expenses that they incurred related to the accident, including medical bills, missed wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and any estimated long-term future care needs. Witness testimony also may be important in illustrating the full impact of the accident on the victim.

Navigating the legal system can be complicated, especially if you are also dealing with painful injuries that require you to miss work and prevent you from engaging in your usual life activities. At Tapalian Law, we assist accident victims and their families in Cranston and the surrounding communities. Car accident lawyer David Tapalian offers a free consultation to discuss your situation and to explore whether you may have a legal claim against another driver involved. To set up a free consultation, call us now at 401-552-5000 or contact us online to get started.