Side-Impact Accident Attorneys in Yakima WA

side impact accident

A side-impact car accident can cause serious harm to the victims and their families. The Yakima car accident attorneys at Mariano Morales Law have seen the devastation that can result when a victim is injured in a side-impact collision. Although there is no way to turn back time and stop the accident from occurring, there may be something you can do now to reclaim your future. If you have been injured in a side-impact, T-bone or broadside collision in the Yakima Valley, contacting an experienced car accident attorney is a crucial first step toward compensation for your injuries. The Yakima Valley side-impact collision attorneys at Mariano Morales Law help victims and their families from Yakima, the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco and Kennewick), Wenatchee, Grant County and Chelan County. Contact our experienced legal team today by calling (509) 853-2222 or by using our online contact form for your free initial consultation. At Mariano Morales Law, we collect no fees unless we negotiate a settlement or secure a verdict for you. We are the only law firm in the Yakima Valley that also helps clients deal with the property damages to their cars. We help set up a car rental, work with insurance adjusters on getting damage appraisals, and arrange for repairs or obtain the cash value for a vehicle that’s totaled.

Causes of Side-Impact Collisions

A side-impact car accident, often referred to as a “T-bone accident” or “broadside collision,” happens when one vehicle hits another vehicle at more or less a 90-degree angle. Unfortunately, this often means that the driver and other passengers in the vehicle can receive a direct hit in the accident. These accidents often cause serious personal injuries. There are an endless number of scenarios that could cause a side-impact car accident. Some factors that commonly lead to a broadside accident include the following:

  • Reckless driving — Side-impact collisions are often the result of reckless driving, which can lead to a driver’s failure to stop for a red light or stop sign.
  • Distracted driving — Distracted driving may be the result of a driver’s texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, grooming or doing anything else that takes his or her focus off of the road. Distracted driving can cause a motorist to miss a traffic signal or make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic.
  • Driving under the influence — Whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or even legal prescription medications, if it impairs his or her ability to operate the vehicle responsibly, then it could lead to a side-impact car accident.
  • Fatigued driving – A driver who is too drowsy has a significantly greater chance of being involved in a collision than a driver who is alert.
  • Weather conditions — If a roadway becomes slick from rain, ice or snow, a driver could collide with another vehicle if the driver is not driving appropriately for the conditions.
  • Vehicle defects — In some rare instances, a defect in the vehicle itself can contribute to a side-impact car accident if it causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle or if the brakes malfunction.

Common Injuries in a Broadside Accident

A T-bone accident can cause the victim to suffer a wide range of injuries, but there are some injuries that occur more often than others. Some of the common injuries from a side-impact collision are:

  • Fatal injuries — Broadside accidents can result in fatal injuries. The victim’s family could be entitled to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash.
  • Traumatic head injuries — A victim may hit his or her head on the steering wheel, dashboard, window or other hard surface of the vehicle, which can cause swelling inside the brain. Permanent brain damage could result.
  • Neck, back and spine injuries — Depending on the angle and force of the impact, the spine could be seriously injured. Paralysis could even result from a side-impact crash.
  • Broken bones – Broken bones are common injuries in all types of car accidents. Although most heal well, some fractures can cause lasting health concerns and may require painful and expensive surgeries.
  • Facial injuries — Flying glass or other parts of the vehicle can cause facial lacerations, injuries to the eyes, nose or mouth, and even permanent disfiguration.
  • Airbag injuries — Although an airbag may help save a life, it can also cause burns or other injuries when it deploys. Many newer cars have side-impact airbags that could go off in a T-bone wreck.

Hurt in a Broadside Accident? Get Help from Our Yakima Lawyers Now

If you have been injured in a side-impact collision in the Yakima Valley and someone else was to blame, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you suffered. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one in a side-impact collision where another party was negligent, you may also be entitled to compensation for your loss. Because the law allows a victim only a limited amount of time to file a claim for injuries or for a wrongful death, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer today to find out what legal options you have. Contact the Yakima Valley side-impact car accident attorneys at Mariano Morales Law today by calling (509) 853-2222 or by using our online contact form for your free initial consultation.