Side-Impact Car Accidents in San Antonio

Side-impact car crashes are responsible for a disproportionate number of accidents that result in severe injuries and death. The side panels of a passenger vehicle, even when equipped with side airbags, offer little protection to occupants.

If you have been injured in a side-impact car accident in San Antonio, you could seek damages from negligent parties. Damages cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and many other losses. A local car accident attorney could offer good advice about your best next steps to secure appropriate compensation and hold negligent parties accountable.

T-Bone Crashes Indicate Negligence

When one vehicle collides into the side of another—commonly called a T-bone accident—one driver or the other was proceeding without the right-of-way. This most often happens at intersections or parking lot entrances and exits.

It could be the fault of a driver, or there could be a malfunctioning traffic control device or a problem with one of the vehicles. Often, a combination of factors might contribute to a T- bone accident, but negligence is at the root.

A savvy traffic accident lawyer could investigate to identify all the responsible parties. These might include vehicle and vehicle part manufacturers, the designers, manufacturers, and programmers of traffic control devices, and the municipality where the incident occurred.

Severe Injuries Result From Broadside Crashes

Side-impact crashes are particularly dangerous because the force of the collision is borne by the weakest part of the vehicle—its side panels. In addition, depending on the location of the force, the collision could impede the deployment of side airbags. Children are at particular risk because child restraint seats offer little to no protection in a side-impact car crash.

There are specific severe injuries that commonly result from broadside collisions. These include:

  • Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury
  • Ear, scalp, and face lacerations from shrapnel
  • Neck and spinal cord damage
  • Rib fractures
  • Lacerations and other damage to the internal organs
  • Amputations of the near-side limbs

Recovery from such severe injuries could require months of treatment, and full recovery might not be possible in some cases. A car accident lawyer could help an injured person and their family calculate the true cost of the injury and present a claim for damages that will appropriately compensate them for all they have lost. 

Claims Against Governmental Entities

The Texas Tort Claims Act, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §101.021 restricts the liability of the State and its municipalities in certain important ways. This law could affect a car accident claim if the negligent driver was a government employee or contractor on official business at the time of the accident and certain other situations in which government action or inaction played a role in the crash.  An experienced accident lawyer could determine whether the law would have an impact on a specific case.

The law limits the liability of the state and municipal governments. Texas and its municipalities are liable for a maximum of $250,000 for one person’s bodily injury and $500,000 aggregate per incident.  They are liable for a maximum of $100,000 per incident for property damage.

The law also requires an injured person to make a quick decision about pursuing damages. If the defendant is the State of Texas, potential plaintiffs must file a notice of intent to bring a claim within six months of the incident that led to the injury. If the city of San Antonio is the defendant, injured people must file their notice within 90 days. Failure to timely submit the notice could defeat a claim.

Work With a Seasoned Car Accident Attorney

If you are recovering from a side-impact car accident in San Antonio, you need an experienced lawyer by your side. That way, you can concentrate on healing from your injuries and moving forward with your life, and a professional can handle negotiations with responsible parties.

Find out how you can get fair and appropriate compensation for your losses. Call an experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your wreck to schedule an appointment to discuss your case.

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