Vehicle collisions involve either the front, back, or side of a vehicle. Of these three, impacts to the side typically cause the most damage. If a heavy, commercial 18-wheeler strikes the side of a car, the damage to the smaller vehicle can be severe. Likewise, passengers involved in side-impact truck accidents in Athens can suffer devastating injuries.
If you were injured in such a situation, you may be able to seek financial compensation to cover your expenses and help restore your life. The truck crash attorneys at the Law Offices of Joshua W. Branch, LLC, could guide you through this process and help you pursue what you need and deserve.
Why Are T-Bone Collisions With Trucks So Dangerous?
People also refer to a side-impact crash as a T-bone accident, as the two vehicles form a shape that resembles the letter T. These crashes tend to be much worse than head-on collisions and rear-enders because cars have less side protection.
Modern car designs include front and rear crumple zones. The engine and trunk occupy these spaces, and the design absorbs the force of another vehicle’s impact before it reaches the people inside. Unfortunately, there are no crumple zones on the sides of the car, so nearly all the force of a collision instantly reaches the driver or passenger.
Such a scenario is dangerous in crashes between normal-sized cars, but a T-bone collision between a truck and a car in Athens is much more destructive, due to the massive difference in the vehicles’ size and weight. With nothing to absorb the impact, people in the car may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ damage, and broken bones.
Potential Compensation for Injured Victims
Athens drivers who sustain injuries in side-impact truck crashes could recover financial compensation from the transportation company’s carrier insurance. This could cover medical bills, rehabilitation treatment, lost income if they cannot work, and emotional distress from experiencing such trauma.
Unfortunately, the insurance company may review the claim and assert that you share responsibility for the accident, which could reduce the amount it pays. Alternatively, it may offer a quick settlement that does not reflect the full extent of your losses.
Having skilled legal representation is essential for convincing the insurance company to take the matter seriously and negotiate a fair settlement. The insurer may agree to offer you an amount that allows you to resume your life. If this is not successful, the lawyers at Law Offices of Joshua W. Branch, LLC could advocate for your case in court for a favorable verdict.
Call an Athens Attorney for Help Pursuing T-Bone Tractor-Trailer Collision Claims
Side-impact truck accidents in Athens typically result from a truck driver’s carelessness while traveling through an intersection. If this has happened to you, you may have the right to a legal claim for financial compensation.
The lawyers at the Law Offices of Joshua W. Branch, LLC are here to provide support and guidance at every stage. Call us today and schedule an initial case consultation to learn more about your options.