If you or a loved one suffered harm in a side-impact collision, you might be left with expensive medical bills and other costs. Through a Largo personal injury claim, you may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable for your accident and recover financial compensation for your costs or “damages.”
A Largo side-impact collision lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help you file a claim and pursue the compensation you need. Call our office now for a free case assessment from one of our committed Largo auto crash attorneys.
Top Causes of Side-Impact Car Accidents
Side-impact collisions or “T-bone” accidents occur when a vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. Because the side of the vehicle typically offers less protection to vehicle occupants than the front or rear of the vehicle, T-bone accidents often lead to severe injuries and property damage.
Distracted driving is a major contributor to the frequency of side-impact collisions in Largo. When an individual is looking down at their phone, changing the radio station, attending to passengers, or is otherwise distracted, they may miss important traffic signs and signals and cause an accident.
In addition to distracted driving, negligent driving may involve:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Failure to yield
- Reckless driving or road rage
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Liability for a Sideswipe Crash
The term “liability” refers to the legal responsibility for an accident. In many cases, another driver is liable for a T-bone accident. However, it is also possible that one or more other parties are liable. Side-impact accidents may be caused by:
- A city or other government body that failed to maintain the road or install adequate signs and signals
- A vehicle parts manufacturer that created defective vehicle parts
- A car dealership or automotive repair shop that failed to properly repair the vehicle
- Another party that acted negligently
Determining who is liable for your accident is the first step toward seeking compensation for your damages. In some cases, liability is cut and dry. In other cases, the liable party may deny responsibility for the collision, or liability may be shared by more than one party.
Shared Liability for a Side-Impact Collision
It is possible that your own actions may have influenced the accident. For example, if you were speeding at the time of the accident, the other driver may claim that your injuries would not be as severe if you were driving the speed limit.
Florida is a “pure comparative fault” state. In a car accident claim involving drivers who are each partially at fault, Florida law holds each party liable for their contribution to the accident. In other words, you may still be entitled to financial compensation even if your conduct partially caused the accident, per Florida Statute § 768.81.
A knowledgeable Largo side-impact collision attorney from Distasio Law Firm can help determine who is liable for your accident and gather evidence to support your side of the story. Call now for a free case evaluation from our car accident team.
Injuries from T-Bone Wrecks May Require Significant Medical Intervention
Injuries from T-bone accidents are often life changing. A T-bone accident may result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs and other back injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Punctured lung
- Ruptured organs
If you suffered a serious injury during a side-impact crash, you might be faced with steep medical bills and an inability to work. The financial stress caused by a serious accident can often be as burdensome as the actual injuries. A personal injury claim may allow you to recover financial compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
You May Receive Compensation for Your Damages
A successful personal injury claim serves two main purposes: holding the at-fault party accountable for the destruction they have caused and recovering compensation for damages. Damages are the losses that you suffered because of the accident. When you pursue a personal injury case with the help of a dedicated sideswipe accident attorney in Largo, you may be compensated for damages including:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost income from missed work
- Impairment to your income-earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Scars and disfiguration
- Mental anguish
Taking Legal Action After a Fatal Side-Impact Crash
If your loved one was killed in a side-impact collision, you might be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the negligent party that caused the accident. In addition to holding the at-fault party answerable for your tragic loss, a wrongful death claim may help you recover financial compensation for your damages. Money cannot make up for the death of a loved one, but compensation through a wrongful death claim may help ease your burden.
Damages in a Florida wrongful death claim may include:
- Loss of the deceased person’s care and guidance
- Loss of the deceased person’s domestic services
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills
How a Legal Professional from Distasio Law Firm Can Help You
At Distasio Law Firm, our experienced lawyers in Largo understand that a serious T-Bone crash can throw your life into turmoil. That is why we are committed to providing reliable legal support and representation to our clients. Whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one or recovering from a car accident injury, we are here for you.
Our team can:
- Calculate your damages
- Find evidence of the defendant’s negligence
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Help you understand your settlement options
- Advocate on your behalf
- Fight to get you a fair settlement or award
- Represent you on trial
Contact a Largo Side-Impact Collision Attorney for a Free Case Evaluation
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a side-impact collision, a Largo side-impact collision lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help you understand your legal options and pursue financial compensation for damages.
It is important to remember that you must file your claim before the legal deadline. Florida personal injury claims are typically subject to a two-year statute of limitations, per Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a). Wrongful death claims are typically subject to a two-year statute of limitations, per Florida Statute § 95.11(4)(d).
Call Distasio Law Firm today for a free case evaluation with a representative of our firm.
