Northern California Side-Impact Collision Lawyers

If you suffered injuries in a side-impact car accident, you might be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver. The car accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm have over 25 years of experience representing clients and helping to recover the full and fair compensation they need to heal. You should not bear the burden of another person’s mistakes. The other driver’s negligence led to your injuries, and you deserve to seek legal action against them.

Side-impact collisions, also called T-bone accidents, occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. They typically occur in intersections when one driver runs a red light or stop sign. Accidents like this can lead to debilitating injuries and financial hardships as you’re trying to recover. At Tiemann Law Firm, our Northern California side-impact collision lawyers will work diligently to hold the at-fault driver liable and get you the money you’re owed.

For a free consultation to learn more about your legal options, call us at (916) 999-9000 today.

How to Protect Your Rights After A Side-Impact Accident

You should take prompt action after getting hurt in a car accident. You have the right to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the harm they caused. Hire a Northern California side-impact collision lawyer to represent you. You should also seek medical treatment immediately after leaving the scene. You might be able to collect some evidence at the scene, but Tiemann Law Firm can handle that for you if your injury is too severe for you to do so at the time of the crash. Your primary focus right now should be on recovering.

An insurance company’s goal is to save money, and they do not have your best interests at heart. They might offer a low settlement and convince you to accept it so they can close out the claim and move onto the next one. They could also look for valid reasons to deny the claim altogether. It’s critical that you don’t fall for their tactics. We can handle this process on your behalf and communicate directly with the insurance adjuster. You shouldn’t speak with them at any time for any reason.

Attend all doctor’s appointments until they release you from their care. Your medical records can be useful in proving that the accident caused your injuries and show a timeline of your recovery. Keep all doctor’s notes, billing statements, and other documents associated with your case. Providing sufficient evidence of your medical condition could improve your chance of receiving the maximum insurance settlement or a favorable jury verdict.

The things to avoid doing are just as important as the steps you take after a side-impact car accident. It’s essential to remember that the insurance company will not be on your side during the claims process. If you say or do the wrong thing, it could negatively impact your case’s outcome and result in an inadequate settlement amount or denied claim.

Don’t accept the initial settlement offer without consulting with your lawyer first. Many people don’t realize how much money they’re owed after a car accident. They often feel tempted to accept any offer they receive because they’re worried about the expensive medical bills they have to pay. However, Tiemann Law Firm can review the details of your case to determine the maximum compensation you deserve.
Don’t talk to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You could say something that ruins your chance of receiving a fair settlement amount. We will handle all communication throughout your case. We’re not afraid to stand up to big insurance companies. We will use aggressive tactics to seek the monetary award necessary to cover your medical bills and other costs.
Don’t skip your doctor’s appointments. Gaps in treatment show an insurance company that you didn’t get hurt in the accident or the injury is minor and doesn’t require medical treatment. They can use that evidence to deny your claim.
Don’t sign any forms. The language in insurance documents can be confusing. You could unknowingly sign away your rights to the maximum available insurance coverage. We will review every form you receive to determine if it’s something you need to complete.

What Causes Side-Impact Collisions?

Many T-bone accidents happen because of driver errors. It takes a great deal of concentration to operate a vehicle safely. Any error or momentary lapse in attention to the road ahead could lead to a collision. Accidents like this can be catastrophic, causing debilitating injuries to the occupants of the vehicle crashed into by another car.

The most common causes of side-impact car accidents include:

Failure to stop or yield to another driver
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Distracted driving
Fatigued driving
Disobeying traffic signs and signals
Speeding
Failure to check for approaching vehicles at an intersection
Making an illegal legal turn

Tiemann Law Firm is familiar with investigating all causes of T-bone accidents. No matter how the accident occurred, you suffered injuries and deserve compensation for the trauma you experienced. The other driver should be held accountable for their actions. We can take on your case and determine the available options to recover the financial award you need to cover your total expenses.

Injuries Often Associated With Side-Impact Accidents

Side-impact collisions cause a range of injuries. Various factors can contribute to the severity of the injury, such as how fast the at-fault driver was going and whether you were wearing your seatbelt. The force that impacts a person’s body during an accident is enough to result in permanent physical harm. You could end up disabled or experience ongoing pain from an injury that doesn’t properly heal.

The most common injuries sustained in side-impact collisions are:

Whiplash
Broken or fractured bones
Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injury or concussion
Lacerations and bruises
Spinal cord injuries
Psychological injuries
Soft tissue injuries
Internal damage
Paralysis
Physical or mental disability

Injuries from car accidents typically have multiple financial impacts on the injured person. You might need to take time off from work while you’re healing, resulting in a loss of income. This can lead to crushing medical debt as you’re trying to pay your medical bills while also trying to meet daily living expenses. You’re fighting an uphill battle that only seems to get worse each day. At Tiemann Law Firm, we understand the struggles you’re dealing with and want to ensure the at-fault party provides the compensation you deserve so you’re not forced to pay for any costs out of pocket.

State Laws That Could Affect Your Case

The fault system used in California impacts the determination of who is liable for a crash. In California, the person who causes an accident is financially responsible for the victim’s injuries. The at-fault driver’s auto insurance company could be the source of compensation for the injured party.

Anyone operating a motor vehicle must purchase auto insurance with minimum limits of liability. This coverage could compensate for another person’s losses if the policyholder caused the crash. The minimum-required limits are:

Bodily injury per person – $15,000
Bodily injury per occurrence – $30,000
Property damage – $5,000

Bodily injury refers to the expenses incurred as a result of an injury. Property damage covers all costs associated with repairing a damaged vehicle and personal property.

When you file a liability claim, you could seek compensation for the following losses:

Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Physical impairment or disfigurement
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Property damage
Lost enjoyment of life

You might find yourself in a situation where the other driver doesn’t have liability insurance or high enough coverage limits to compensate for all your expenses and losses. If that happens, you could file a claim with your UM insurance company if you opted to purchase UM insurance.

Uninsured/underinsured (UM) motorist coverage is available to accident victims when:

The at-fault driver doesn’t carry auto insurance;
The at-fault driver’s liability limits aren’t high enough; or
A hit-and-run driver caused the accident.

Filing a UM claim could cover some of the losses you suffered in the side-impact collision, such as:

Medical bills
Property damage
Lost wages
Pain and suffering

It’s crucial to understand that UM policies typically don’t compensate for all the same losses covered by liability insurance. All should cover medical bills and property damage; however, some might not provide coverage for pain and suffering and lost wages. You should request a copy of your auto insurance policy immediately after an accident occurs to confirm the available limits you have and what types of losses your insurance company will cover.

Tiemann Law Firm Will Fight for Justice

Since 1998, our Northern California side-impact collision lawyers have fought for injured clients suffering due to someone else’s negligent actions. When you hire us, we will provide comprehensive legal services and the support and guidance you need during this devastating time in your life. We will fight by your side until the very end.

Car accidents can cause significant financial strain. We know you might worry about the cost of treatment and how you’re going to support yourself with the additional costs of hiring a lawyer. We don’t want to add to your burden, which is why we take cases on contingency. That means we don’t require upfront payment of our legal fees. You won’t have to pay us unless we win your case.

Call Tiemann Law Firm today at (916) 999-9000 if you were hurt in a T-bone car accident. One of our Northern California side-impact collision lawyers will be happy to meet with you for a free consultation.