Every year, more than 9,000 people are tragically killed in side impact or (T-bone) crashes, with only head on crashes resulting in a higher rate of fatalities. Side impact crashes, or T-bone crashes, occur when the side of a car is hit by the front or back end of another motor vehicle. The seriousness of the accident and resulting injuries depend on a number of factors, including where the vehicle is impacted; safety features of the vehicle; speed, size, and weight of each vehicle; and how its door frame responds to the force of impact. At Hark & Hark, our New Jersey truck accident attorney Jeffrey S. Hark has been representing auto accident victims throughout New Jersey for more than 17 years.
The serious injuries and deaths that often result from side impact collisions could be avoided with the proper safety equipment or structural improvement to small to mid-size passenger vehicles. Safety features and structural enhancements are not mandatory, but include the following:
- Side Impact Airbags
- Side Window Airbags
- Strengthening of side structures like door frames and doors
Side impact collisions often result in serious head and neck injuries when the head of a vehicle occupant is thrown against the door or door frame. This type of crash often involves enough force to spin the vehicles in a different direction from which they were initially traveling. If the motor vehicle that broadsides the other one is traveling at a high enough rate of speed, the vehicle that is impacted may even roll over. The T-boned vehicle also could ricochet off nearby cars, objects, or pedestrians. A vehicle occupant sitting on the side of the car that is struck will usually suffer the worst injuries because they absorb the most amount of energy.
Broadside crashes most commonly occur in intersections when cars are changing lanes or ignoring stop lights or stop signs. With the high number of cars and trucks on New Jersey roads, the chances of someone driving a small to mid-size passenger car being struck by one of these much heavier vehicles increases the risk of serious T-bone injury accidents considerably. At Hark & Hark, our New Jersey truck accident attorney Jeffrey S. Hark has been representing people throughout New Jersey injured in serious motor vehicle accidents, including side impact accidents, for over 17 years. If you or someone you love is involved in any type of trucking accident, including a side impact collision, we can help. We are available to assist clients throughout all of New Jersey. Call us today for a free consultation.