What to Do if You’re Involved in a Broadside Collision

One minute you are driving along, minding your own business, and the next a vehicle crashes into the side of your car, sending your vehicle — and you and your passengers — spinning. You have just been “broadsided,” and this type of crash can have serious or even deadly consequences.

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is scary and stressful. Broadside collisions are no exception. A broadside collision occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. This is often referred to as a “T-bone crash,” as the accident resembles a “T” shape at the moment of impact.

So, what should you do after being involved in a broadside collision? There are some important steps you should follow.

Immediately after the accident, you should:

• Assess the situation.As with any car accident, the first thing you should do after being hit is to quickly assess the situation and determine a couple of things:

1. Are you or anyone else in your vehicle injured and in need of medical attention?
2. Is it safe to remain in your vehicle or do you need to exit the vehicle? Typically, it is safest to remain in your vehicle after an accident, but the location where your car ended up after being hit is critical to this decision. If you are on a highway or if your car has been pushed to the side of the road or even off the road, it may make sense to remain inside it. However, if your vehicle is now in the path of oncoming traffic — or if it is in danger of catching fire, exploding, or sinking — it is likely in your best interest to exit the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible.

• Call 911.Even if no one appears to be injured, it is still important to contact law enforcement as soon as possible after being involved in a broadside collision. Alabama law requires that the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident in which anyone is killed, injured, or property damage to anyone involved in the accident exceeds $250, is required to report the accident within 30 days. However, the best way to protect yourself after being hit in a broadside collision is to call 911 immediately so that the police can observe the scene, interview both drivers and any witnesses, and complete an official accident report.

  Having your car T-boned by another vehicle can cause a tremendous amount of damage to both the exterior and interior of your vehicle. Even if the accident occurred at a low rate of speed and your car is not totaled, the repairs may still be costly. It is in your best interests to contact law enforcement immediately and get a police report. More importantly, first responders can assess your condition and the condition of your passengers to determine if medical attention is necessary. They can also arrange to have your vehicle towed from the scene of the accident.

• Be mindful of what you say.In speaking with law enforcement, answer questions honestly, but do not provide more information than is necessary. Any statements you make to the police or to anyone else at the scene — or within earshot of anyone at the scene — can potentially be used against you by the other driver’s attorney or insurance company to make it seem as though you are somehow negligent.
• Seek — and accept — medical attention.Even a seemingly minor accident that occurs at low speeds can cause serious injuries. While you or your passengers may look or even feel healthy in the moments immediately following a broadside collision, this can be misleading. Shock and adrenaline can mask internal injuries, soft-tissue damage such as sprains and tears, and serious injuries such as whiplash. It is best to allow first responders to examine you and your passengers and follow their recommendations regarding going to a hospital for further assessment. If you have any medical conditions, a young child or elderly person in your vehicle, or if you have any concerns at all —remember that it is “better to be safe than sorry.” At the very least, it is important to have any possible injuries and treatment documented as soon, and as thoroughly, as possible.

  If you do refuse medical attention, be sure to stay alert and check yourself and your passengers for any potential injuries over the hours and days following the broadside collision. Some injuries, including aches and pains, bruising, and whiplash may not be evident immediately, instead making their presence known once your adrenaline from the accident subsides. If you or any of your passengers note any pain or discomfort after the accident, it is crucial that you seek medical attention immediately by visiting an emergency room or urgent care facility.

In the days and weeks after the accident, you should:

• Contact your insurance company. Once you are sure that you and your passengers are safe, it is vital that you report the accident to your insurance company. Check your automobile insurance policy to determine the timeline by which your insurance company prefers to be notified of an accident. Once notified, your insurance company will ask for details of the accident and will obtain a copy of the police report when it is available. They may send a claims adjuster to inspect the damage to your vehicle and assess the location where the broadside collision accident occurred.
• Contact a car accident lawyer in Tuscaloosa.A broadside collision may leave you or your passengers injured and in need of expensive emergency treatment or long-term care, or your vehicle in need of costly repairs or replacement. If the other driver caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation beyond what your insurance company pays out on your claim. Seeking advice from an experienced Tuscaloosa car accident attorney is the best way to determine if you have any realistic claims for compensation for the injuries suffered by you or your loved ones. After contacting law enforcement and your insurance company, your next call should be the skilled Alabama car accident lawyers at Prince Glover Hayes in Tuscaloosa.
• Make a note to replace any child safety seats.It is important to remember that after any car accident – from a major crash to a minor fender-bender – you should replace any child safety seat that was in your vehicle at the time of the crash. Even if your child was not in their car seat at the time of the accident or if your pet was not using the restraint system (seatbelt, travel crate, etc.), these safety products are designed to help absorb the impact of a collision and may suffer unseen structural damage as a result simply by being in the car during the collision. Their effectiveness may be compromised and cannot be guaranteed after an accident. If you do not replace them and are involved in another accident in the future, the child safety seat may fail to protect your child, resulting in serious injury or death.

Contact an experienced Tuscaloosa car accident lawyer

If you or a loved one has been involved in a broadside collision or any other type of car accident in Tuscaloosa or the surrounding area, it is crucial that you have a skilled car accident attorney advocating on your behalf.

The personal injury lawyers at Prince Glover Hayes have extensive experience fighting to secure the best outcomes for our clients after an auto accident. We know how insurance companies work and that their first priority is to shift blame so that they can pay as little as possible on a claim — even when their client caused the accident. So, we work hard to build a case that clearly demonstrates the other driver’s negligence; the extent of any injuries that you or your loved ones suffered, including any long-term impact the accident and injuries may have on your lives; and the overall financial damages and hardship to you and your family because of the accident. We do not back down and we do not settle for less than you and your loved ones deserve.

Give us a call or complete our contact form today to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys stand ready to fight for you.