A side impact accident takes place when a driver hasn’t been paying attention to other vehicles on a highway and pulls out of a merging lane when a vehicle is passing too close to avoid. When this happens there could be serious injuries to the occupants of the vehicles who have suffered a side impact accident.
If this accident was not your fault and you have sufficient proof to indicate this you may be able to file a personal injury claim from the driver who caused the accident. It’s important to get a personal injury lawyer to help you with this claim.
Damages Due to a Side Impact Accident
The sort of damage that may be possible in a side impact accident could include any of the following:
- severe damage to the side of the vehicle, including buckled doors and broken glass;
- serious injuries to the driver and passengers seated on the side where the accident took place, including facial lacerations, broken limbs and traumatic brain injuries.
A personal injury claim may cover the cost of the damage to the vehicle and the medical costs incurred while being treated in a hospital.
What You Could do at the Site of the Accident
When a side impact accident takes place and there have been injuries and damage to your car, you or a passenger should do the following.
- Call the police if they haven’t already arrived at the scene of the crash. The police report will be key evidence when it comes to filing a personal injury claim.
- Take down the names and contact details of any witnesses as these will be needed later, either to write testimonies or appear in court.
- Call a tow truck and ensure you get a damage assessment report from the garage.
What Should Be Done After Leaving the Accident?
When you are well enough to do so and as soon as you are back home there is some paperwork you will need to do before a personal injury claim can be filed. This may include:
- picking up the police report from the relevant police station;
- contacting your insurance company;
- collecting a medical report from your doctor;
- putting in one place all receipts for medical treatment;
- contacting witnesses to ask them to write a statement;
- collecting the garage’s damage assessment of your auto.
Why You Should Contact a Lawyer
When you are in a side impact accident that’s not your fault you have to be able to prove who caused the accident. It can be very intimidating taking on the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your own as often the insurer will see you are vulnerable and only offer you a token amount.
A personal injury lawyer, however, may help to ensure you get the personal injury compensation you deserve. Use the Free Case Evaluation Form available below to help you choose a suitable lawyer.
