One of the most common types of truck accidents, and often among the most serious, is a side-impact collision. If liable drivers or other parties are responsible for side-impact truck accidents in Charleston County, injury victims or their loved ones could seek compensation with an injury claim or lawsuit.
Knowing more about these collisions, including their potential causes, could help you determine who is liable and whether you have a case. Schedule a consultation with our tractor-trailer crash attorneys today.
There are three main types of side-impact truck accidents.
A T-bone wreck occurs when one vehicle’s front crashes directly into another’s side, forming a perpendicular “T” shape. This is often the most serious type of side-impact crash due to the nature of these collisions, as a vehicle makes full impact with the side of another, frequently at high speeds. The impact is often even more severe with large trucks that have more mass and weight than other vehicles.
The injuries resulting from these collisions tend to be serious and life-threatening, as vehicle doors collapse at impact in many instances. While newer vehicle models could reduce the severity of injuries with side airbags, many older vehicles are still without these devices.
One common cause of T-bone accidents is when one vehicle runs a red light or stop sign at an intersection while another with the right of way passes by.
These side-impact crashes happen when a driver fails to give another driver the right of way when attempting to pass through an intersection or improperly merges into traffic.
The resulting collision would involve one vehicle hitting the side of another at an angle. These accidents, like T-bone crashes, can and do frequently result in serious injuries and fatalities.
One last type of side-impact big rig accident in Charleston County is the sideswipe, which occurs when a vehicle “swipes” the side of another. This type of wreck most often involves improper lane changes, as drivers may neglect to check their mirrors and blind spots before merging into another lane.
Our legal team could review your case to determine what type of side-impact accident occurred and help you understand your legal options.
There are several causes of T-bone and other types of side-impact truck wrecks in Charleston County. Some common factors include:
Because trucks carry more weight, the consequences of these collisions are often catastrophic.
Injury victims in side-impact tractor-trailer accidents in Charleston County may be able to recover total compensation for injuries and other damages.
One type of damage is economic or monetary, which accounts for all financial losses resulting from an accident, including medical expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, and repairs or replacements for damaged property.
Victims may also recover compensation for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and trauma.
In rare cases, a judge or jury may award punitive damages, which aim to prevent future similar behavior when a defendant causes an collision through gross negligence or malicious intent.
Our lawyers could help you seek compensation for all available damages and hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a side-impact truck accident, you may be able to identify the liable parties responsible and seek compensation for all related damages.
Schedule a free consultation to speak with a reputable lawyer about side-impact truck accidents in Charleston County and discuss a potential claim.