Indianapolis Side Impact Collisions Lawyers
Last updated on January 27, 2025
The Indianapolis personal injury attorneys of Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP are devoted to assisting victims injured in side-impact accidents. With over 75 years of combined experience, our lawyers have a reputation for excellence in car accident law. Our Indianapolis and Lebanon offices provide unparalleled service and legal support to Indiana residents.
Side-Impact Collisions
In side-impact crashes, also known as “T-bones,” the front end of one vehicle hits the side of another. The impact can cause the other vehicle to spin, resulting in a chain reaction of other accidents. Side-impact accidents can involve:
- Blind spots
- Intoxication
- Road racing
- Lane changes
- Median breach
- Left-hand turns
- Traffic violations
- Construction areas
- Traffic intersections
- Sharp turns on an incline
- Trucks or tractor-trailers
- Overtaking and passing
These accidents often happen in busy intersections or four-way stops, where one or two moving vehicles collide. When the force of impact hits the less-protected side of a vehicle, drivers and passengers are often injured. Even at low speeds, side-impact accidents can be fatal.
Side-Impact Injuries
A vehicle approaching from the side can crush the door of another car. The affected motorist and passengers may suffer a variety of injuries, including:
- Neck injury
- Broken bones
- Punctured lung
- Internal bleeding
- Shattered clavicle
- Organ dysfunction
- Permanent scarring
- Spinal cord damage
- Lost or severed limb
- Cognitive impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Coma, amnesia, paralysis
While newer vehicles have side airbags and reinforced doors, these measures do not guarantee safety. The risk is especially significant when the passenger is an infant or child.
Negligent Causes Of Side-Impact Collisions
In most multiple-vehicle accidents, at least one driver is at fault. Fault is negligence or breaching a legal duty owed to another to exercise reasonable care. Unintentional or reckless conduct causing side-impact crashes may involve:
- Speeding
- Intoxication
- Inexperience
- Driver fatigue
- Four-way stop
- Grade crest turn
- Talking or texting
- Prohibited U-turns
- Distracted operation
- Crossing intersection
- Unlawful lane passing
- Commercial cargo spills
- Cruise control downgrade
- Traffic safety, control zone
- Failure to yield right-of-way
Indiana personal injury law holds negligent drivers accountable for the damage they cause. Most side-impact accidents clearly demonstrate a violation of the legal duty to exercise due care. As such, the parties at fault are liable to injured victims and surviving family members in damages.
Product And Premises Liability
Product liability provides legal and financial recourse to injured drivers who suffer harm due to a defective product. Flawed doors, failed brakes, and insufficient crash control are examples of faulty goods. Vehicle manufacturers and certain vendors are strictly liable to injured consumers, meaning that victims need not prove negligence if a product defect causes injury.
Like drivers and manufacturers, property owners also must protect invitees under the principles of premises liability. Broken lights, unsigned roads and unfixed intersections are all dangerous conditions on a property. Parties that fail to repair the hazardous condition are liable for injuries. Liable owners and contractors may include private individuals, state or local agencies, and corporate entities.
Recover Side-Impact Collision Damages
Were you injured in a side-impact collision? You may be entitled to compensation for property loss, medical costs, missed work, pain, suffering and wrongful death. Whether filing a personal injury or insurance claim, the Indiana car accident lawyers at Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP collectively have over 75 years of law experience helping clients. Concentrating our practice on personal injury, we strive to find all negligent parties and maximize the compensation you deserve.
For a free case evaluation, please call 317-505-1342 or contact us online.