When the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, the accident is referred to as a side-impact collision. This type of accident normally involves the oncoming vehicle travelling at medium to high speed, with the driver having little or no time to slow down or brake before striking the side of the vehicle crossing their path.
Either driver may be at fault, depending mainly on which vehicle had the right of way, and whether either party was driving without due care. Often this will be a subject of dispute, though in a normal side-impact collision scenario, when a vehicle pulls out into the path of oncoming traffic, liability will usually lie with the driver who has pulled out.
Side-Impact Collisions Cause Thousands of Fatalities Every Year
Side-impact collisions cause more serious injuries and fatalities than any other type of road traffic accident, apart from head-on collisions, and result in thousands of deaths on UK roads every year. This is mainly due to the speed at which these accidents occur, and the relative lack of protection on the sides of vehicles compared to the front and rear. Seat belts and side airbags can only protect drivers and passengers to a certain extent. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, a change in a vehicle’s velocity of 40mph creates an 85% likelihood of a belted driver or passenger being killed, and in a side-impact collision this could apply to the occupants of either of the vehicles involved.
Where and How Do Side-Impact Collisions Normally Happen?
Side-impact collisions often take place at junctions, when a driver increases their speed to cross before traffic lights change, or when they fail to observe a red light altogether, and their vehicle is struck from the side as it crosses the junction. A vehicle may also be crossing a junction when the lights are in their favour, and be struck by a careless or reckless driver from the side. Vehicles can be hit from the side when turning across traffic lanes, and again, the fault may lie with either vehicle involved. Sometimes a parked vehicle may pull out and be struck if its driver has failed to check their mirrors properly before performing the manoeuvre. side-impact collisions are also common at the entrances and exits to car parks, where no lights or signs are present to indicate right of way and visibility is often limited.
Injuries Sustained by Drivers and Passengers in Side-Impact Collisions
The potential to sustain serious injury in a side-impact collision is very high, even at relatively low speeds, both for the occupants of the vehicle struck from the side, and for the driver and passengers in the oncoming vehicle. In the vehicle that is hit from the side, occupants commonly sustain chest injuries and injuries to their arms and legs from the force of impact. Occupants of the oncoming vehicle are more likely to suffer injuries from the change in velocity, as noted above, with their bodies being propelled backwards, forwards and sideways due to the sudden reduction in speed. Even at speeds of 30mph, the resulting injuries from a side-impact collision may be extremely serious.
Solicitors Claiming Compensation for Road Traffic Accidents
Over the last 40 years Bartletts Solicitors has successfully claimed compensation for 1,000’s of road users injured due to reckless and negligent driving. Bartletts have a tradition of commitment, hard work and the highest levels of expertise in advising people injured due to reckless driving on their legal rights. Client care is our highest priority. Our specialist solicitors ensure that you are always kept up to date with every aspect of your case, and we aim to obtain the maximum amount of damages for our clients with the minimum of fuss.
Make a free compensation enquiry today
For specialist advice on your personal injury claim, call us now on Liverpool 0151 227 3391 or Chester 01244 645830 or Wrexham 01978 360056 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.
