Sunday, January 2, 2011

Side Collision Accidents

Side collisions are one of the most severe types of accidents that can occur. Also known more commonly as a "T-Bone" collision, this type of crash occurs when one vehicle strikes another vehicle along its side. While the accident can be harmful for both vehicles involved, typically the individual who is struck has a much higher chance of suffering from severe injuries and damages. Vehicles do not have the same amount of reinforcement on their sides as they do on the front and back bumpers. Therefore a person struck from the side by another vehicle is more likely to be seriously hurt.

How T-Bone Crashes Occur

A car accident can happen anywhere, in a variety of situations. However, they are most likely to occur at intersections, in which one driver disregards a stop or yield and strikes another vehicle or is struck by an oncoming vehicle. The fault may be with either the struck vehicle, for not yielding or stopping for cars with the right of way, or with the striking vehicle, which also may have disregarded an important traffic law and then hit the other car. The force of the impact from the side can cause the struck car to spin out of control or even to roll over, causing even more serious injury to the occupants or to other drivers or pedestrians nearby.

How Insurance Can Protect You

Clearly car insurance can not prevent an accident from occurring. It can, however, protect you in the event of an accident by covering the costs of your accident. If you are at fault for a side collision, your liability insurance will cover the cost of injuries and damages caused to the struck driver, other occupants, and the vehicle. It can also protect you from being sued by the injured party. If you are struck by an uninsured motorist who is found to be at fault, your uninsured motorist coverage will cover the costs of your injuries and damages.

When you are involved in a t-bone collision and no one can be found to be at fault, your collision coverage and medical expenses insurance will be used to compensate you for your recovery and repair costs. While it may seem unimportant to pay for car insurance each month, just one costly side collision can make years of paying for coverage well worth the investment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_S_Caldwell