Side-impact collisions are among the most terrifying and dangerous accidents on Kansas City roads. These crashes, also known as T-bone accidents, occur when one vehicle strikes the side of another at a perpendicular angle. This can lead to serious and devastating injuries, especially for passengers sitting on the side of the impact. It’s important to speak with an experienced Kansas City car accident lawyer for legal guidance.
Common Causes of Side-Impact Collisions in Kansas City
Most side-impact accidents happen at intersections, where vehicles cross paths and miscommunications can lead to collisions. However, they can also occur in parking lots, during lane changes on highways, or when a vehicle loses control and slides into oncoming traffic.
While every accident is unique, several factors can contribute to these crashes:
- Distracted Driving: Motorists who take their eyes off the road to check phones, adjust radios, or engage in other non-driving activities increase their risk of an accident. They may fail to notice cross traffic, run red lights or stop signs, or misjudge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles.
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Drivers who disregard traffic signals put themselves and others in grave danger. Traffic lights and signs are necessary to control the flow of traffic, and when they are ignored, the risk of high-speed T-bone collisions increases.
- Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way: Misjudging who has the right-of-way or deliberately ignoring traffic rules can lead to side-impact crashes, especially when merging or turning.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs significantly impair a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to navigate intersections safely. This can increase the risk of all types of accidents, including side-impact collisions. Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous and common causes of car accidents.
Types of Injuries Resulting from Side-Impact Crashes
Unlike front or rear-end car crashes, where vehicles have crumple zones designed to absorb impact, the sides of cars offer minimal protection. This vulnerability makes side-impact accidents particularly hazardous, as the force of the collision is transmitted directly to the people inside.
The occupants can suffer serious injuries, such as:
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and bruising
- Chest and torso injuries
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
- Psychological trauma
Proving Fault in Side-Impact Collision Cases
As a victim of a side-impact accident, you have the right to recover financial compensation to help pay for the harm that you suffered. In Missouri, which is a fault-based state, you will need to show that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. In Kansas, which follows a no-fault system, you can file a claim with your own insurance company, regardless of who caused the accident. However, if you suffer serious injuries, you can pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver.
Establishing fault begins with a thorough investigation. Police reports, eyewitness accounts, and physical evidence from the accident scene can all establish important facts and prove that the other driver caused the collision. In some cases, accident reconstruction experts may be called upon to analyze the crash dynamics and determine which driver was at fault.
Speak with a Kansas City Side-Impact Collision Attorney Today
If you have been hit from the side in Kansas City, you need a Kansas City injury attorney who can help you prove your right to financial compensation. Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe will reconstruct the accident, work with crash experts, and aggressively negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Contact us today at (816) 876-2600 or toll-free at (877) 816-2600 to schedule your free consultation and let us put our knowledge to work for you and your family.