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Side-impact collisions are some of the most frequent and dangerous types of accidents. They happen when one vehicle drives into the side panel of another and often total one or both vehicles, causing severe injuries. If you were involved in a side impact/T-bone car accident in Huntington, contact one of the car crash attorneys at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law. We are the largest female-founded law firm in the country and provide aggressive representation for accident survivors and the families of those who succumb to their injuries.
Side-impact accidents often occur at intersections. A driver may make a left when they do not have the right of way or roll through a stop sign into oncoming traffic. These accidents can also happen when someone is pulling out of a driveway or parking lot in front of an oncoming vehicle.
Our state uses a fault-based system for managing car accident claims, meaning the negligent, at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay compensation for the losses of anyone injured. A driver is considered negligent if they fail to use the same degree of caution that another reasonable driver would in the same circumstances. A knowledgeable attorney can investigate an accident and determine whether the responsible driver acted negligently.
West Virginia Code § 55-7-13A(b) allows someone partially responsible for an accident to claim compensation from other drivers who were involved. The injured person’s compensation will be reduced by a percentage that reflects his or her portion of the blame. An injured person cannot collect any damages if they are found to be primarily responsible for an accident.
Insurance companies have an incentive to pin as much blame as possible on an injured driver. Because of this, it is critical for a driver injured in a side-impact crash to work with a skilled Huntington attorney who can stand up to any attempts to unfairly shift responsibility.
Even though most vehicles have door panel airbags, occupants have little protection in a side-impact collision. This is because a car’s door panels have less structural reinforcement than the rear and front of the vehicle.
The occupants of the vehicle hit from the side often suffer severe injuries. Our Huntington attorneys represent T-bone accident survivors with injuries including:
Airbag deployment can also cause serious injuries to the chest and heart. Furthermore, many side impact crash survivors experience psychological trauma resulting from his or her accident. An injured person may develop insomnia, anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder after a serious wreck.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for paying an injured person’s out-of-pocket losses, compensating for his or her pain and suffering, and reimbursing property damage. Unfortunately, the responsible driver’s insurance policy coverage limits may be inadequate to fully compensate an injured person’s losses. In this case, the at-fault driver is personally liable for any losses not covered. A Huntington lawyer can work to determine whether the at-fault driver has sufficient assets to cover an injured person’s losses after a side-impact crash.
A skilled legal professional can also examine whether other sources of coverage are available. For example, if the at-fault driver was intoxicated, the bar or restaurant that served them could have liability. If a mechanical problem with one of the vehicles contributed to the crash, the manufacturer might be responsible for paying an injured person’s losses.
A serious car crash can leave you struggling physically, emotionally, and financially. An attorney with experience handling side impact/T-bone car accidents in Huntington can provide resources and support to help you recover with as little stress as possible.
Our firm offers free consultations to discuss your legal options. Call us today.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
