Houston Side-Impact Collision Lawyer | Helping Car Accident Victims Seek Justice
Side-impact collisions often cause life-changing injuries and high financial losses for victims in Houston, Texas. When another driver’s negligence leads to a T-bone or broadside crash, you have the right to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A Houston side-impact collision lawyer can help you understand your legal options, deal with insurance companies, and file a strong personal injury claim. If you were injured in a side-impact crash, getting legal help early can make a major difference in your recovery.
What Is a Side-Impact Collision?
Side-impact collisions are a common cause of serious injuries in Houston car accidents.
Definition of a Side-Impact Collision
A side-impact collision, also called a T-bone accident, happens when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. This type of crash usually occurs at intersections. The impact often forms a “T” shape, which gives the accident its name. Side-impact collisions can involve two passenger cars, or a larger vehicle such as a truck hitting a smaller one.
Where and How These Accidents Happen
Most side-impact collisions occur when a driver fails to yield the right of way. Common causes include running red lights, not stopping at stop signs, or making unsafe left turns. Distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving also lead to these crashes. In busy areas of Houston, these accidents often happen when one driver misjudges the timing of oncoming traffic.
Why Side-Impact Collisions Are Dangerous
Side-impact crashes can cause severe or fatal injuries. The sides of most vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear. When struck from the side, there is less space to absorb the force of the crash. This puts passengers at greater risk for traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal bleeding. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable.
How These Crashes Relate to Car Accident Claims
Victims of side-impact collisions often face high medical bills, lost wages, and long recovery times. Proving fault is key to recovering compensation. A Houston side-impact collision lawyer can help gather police reports, witness statements, and medical records. These cases often involve disputes with insurance companies, so having a car accident attorney helps protect your rights.
Common Causes of Side-Impact Collisions in Houston
Side-impact collisions in Houston often result from preventable driver actions or traffic violations. Understanding the most common causes helps identify who may be at fault in a car accident case.
Distracted Driving
Using a phone, eating, or adjusting in-car systems takes attention away from the road. A distracted driver may run a red light or fail to yield at an intersection. This is a leading cause of side-impact collisions. These crashes often happen when one driver does not see the other entering the intersection.
Speeding
Drivers who speed have less time to react to traffic signals or crossing vehicles. High-speed side-impact collisions are more likely to result in serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. Speeding also increases the likelihood of running red lights or failing to stop at stop signs.
Drunk or Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs slows reaction time and affects judgment. Impaired drivers often ignore traffic laws and may drift into other lanes or miss stop signals. Drunk driving is a major factor in late-night and early morning side-impact collisions across Houston.
Failure to Obey Traffic Signals
Many T-bone crashes happen at intersections when one driver ignores a red light or stop sign. Failing to yield the right of way can put another vehicle directly in the path of the driver. These violations frequently result in personal injury claims and car accident lawsuits.
Poor Weather or Low Visibility
Heavy rain, fog, or poor lighting can reduce visibility and increase stopping distances. Drivers who do not adjust their speed or remain alert in bad weather may cause a side-impact crash. Houston roads can become slick during storms, making it easier to lose control at intersections.
Driver Negligence
Negligent drivers may misjudge traffic flow, change lanes without checking blind spots, or make unsafe turns. This kind of carelessness is often the reason car accidents happen. In side-impact cases, proving negligence is important for victims seeking financial compensation for injuries and damages.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Side-Impact Car Accidents
Side-impact collisions often cause severe physical harm due to the lack of protection on the sides of most vehicles. These injuries can result in long-term medical treatment and high financial costs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A sudden impact to the side of the vehicle can cause the head to strike the window or door. This can lead to traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms may include memory loss, confusion, headaches, or loss of consciousness. These injuries may not show up right away but can worsen over time.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The force of a T-bone crash can twist or compress the spine. Victims may suffer from partial or full paralysis. Spinal cord injuries often require surgery, therapy, and long-term care. These injuries may permanently affect mobility and quality of life.
Internal Injuries
Side-impact collisions can crush the torso or cause the seatbelt to press hard into the body. This may result in damage to internal organs or internal bleeding. These injuries are not always visible but can become life-threatening if untreated.
Broken Bones
Arms, ribs, pelvis, and legs are especially at risk during a side-impact crash. The door panel can collapse inward, trapping limbs or pinning the victim. Broken bones may require surgery or immobilization, leading to lost wages and missed work.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscle strains, torn ligaments, and whiplash are common in car accident injuries. These injuries may seem minor at first but can cause chronic pain and stiffness. Physical therapy may be needed to recover fully.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Not all injuries are physical. A side-impact collision can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder. Victims may relive the crash, avoid driving, or suffer from anxiety and depression. These effects can interfere with daily life and relationships.
What to Do Immediately After a Side-Impact Collision in Houston
Taking the right steps after a side-impact collision can protect your health, your legal rights, and your chance of receiving fair compensation.
Check for Injuries and Call 911
Check yourself and others for injuries. Do not move if you feel pain in your neck, back, or head. Call 911 to report the accident. Request medical help even if injuries are not visible. Some car accident injuries such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries may not show symptoms right away.
Move to a Safe Location
If it is safe to do so, move your vehicle out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Staying in the path of moving vehicles can lead to further injury or damage. Stay calm and wait for police and emergency crews to arrive.
Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene
Take photos of the vehicles, license plates, traffic signals, skid marks, and the accident scene. Record any visible injuries. Speak with witnesses and get their contact information. Write down the time and location of the crash. This information helps support your car accident claim.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Ask for the other driver’s name, contact details, driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance information. Do not argue or admit fault. Be polite and limit your comments to the exchange of necessary information.
Request a Police Report
Ask responding officers for the accident report number. A police report is a key document in a personal injury claim or car accident lawsuit. It includes details such as statements, citations, and a basic assessment of fault.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, visit a doctor as soon as possible. Medical records help connect your injuries to the car crash. Delayed treatment may weaken your case or lead insurance adjusters to question the severity of your injuries.
Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer
Speak with a car accident attorney before talking to insurance companies. A Houston side-impact collision lawyer can explain your options, protect your legal rights, and help pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Who Is at Fault in a Side-Impact Collision?
Determining fault in a side-impact collision is critical for filing a personal injury claim or car accident lawsuit in Houston, Texas.
Fault Often Depends on Traffic Violations
Most side-impact collisions happen when one driver ignores traffic rules. Running a red light, failing to yield, or turning without checking for oncoming traffic often causes a T-bone crash. The driver who breaks the law is usually considered at fault. Police reports and witness statements help show which driver acted negligently.
Texas Follows Proportionate Responsibility
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, Texas uses proportionate responsibility to assign fault. This means more than one driver can be found partially at fault. If you are found less than 51 percent responsible, you can still recover damages. Your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault.
The Role of Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters review police reports, photos, and witness statements to decide fault. They may try to shift blame or reduce payouts. A Houston car accident attorney can deal with the insurance company on your behalf. This helps prevent unfair decisions and protects your personal injury case.
Proving Negligence in a Side-Impact Case
To prove negligence, you must show that the other driver failed to act with reasonable care. Evidence includes traffic camera footage, expert analysis, and statements from bystanders. A car accident lawyer may also inspect the vehicles and accident scene to support your claim.
Answers to Common Questions About Side-Impact Collisions in Houston
If you were involved in a side-impact collision in Houston, you may have questions about liability, injuries, and legal options.
What is the average settlement for a side-impact car accident in Houston, TX?
The average settlement for a side-impact car accident in Houston, TX depends on the severity of the injuries, the extent of property damage, and who was at fault. Victims may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced car accident attorney in Houston can review your personal injury case and help estimate a fair settlement amount based on Texas car accident laws and past similar cases.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after a T-bone collision in Houston?
In Texas, the deadline to file a personal injury claim after a T-bone or side-impact collision is two years from the date the accident occurred. This deadline is set by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Waiting too long to take legal action can prevent you from recovering financial compensation. It is important to speak with a Houston car accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash to protect your claim.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault in a Houston side-impact crash?
Yes, under Texas law, you can still recover damages if you were less than 51 percent at fault for a Houston side-impact crash. This is based on the state’s modified comparative negligence rule. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. A skilled Houston auto accident lawyer can help prove the other driver’s negligence and limit your share of liability to maximize your recovery.
What injuries are most common in side-impact collisions in Houston car accidents?
Common injuries in side-impact collisions include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, broken bones, and soft tissue injuries such as whiplash. These car accident injuries often occur because the side of a vehicle has less structural protection. If you experience pain after a side-impact crash, you should seek medical attention immediately and speak with a Houston personal injury lawyer about filing a car accident injury claim.
Do I need a car accident lawyer after a side-impact collision in Houston, TX?
You should hire a car accident lawyer after a side-impact collision in Houston if you suffered serious injuries, lost income, or are dealing with insurance adjusters who deny or delay your claim. A Houston side-impact collision lawyer can gather evidence, handle communication with the insurance company, and fight for fair compensation through a personal injury lawsuit if necessary. Legal support is critical in car accident cases involving serious injuries and financial losses.
Contact Our Team at Texas Lawyers 365 for Help Today!
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Houston side-impact collision, reach out to our team at Texas Lawyers 365 right away. Our Houston side-impact collision lawyers work with experienced car accident attorneys who understand Texas car accident laws and know how to handle insurance companies demanding unfair settlements.
Contact us at 800-800-8000 for a free case evaluation today!
