Side impact collisions often seem to come out of nowhere. The victims are driving along when, without warning, another vehicle slams into their side, often causing severe damage, injury, or death.
Nordean Law handles side-impact collision cases. To win, we must develop the evidence proving the other party’s negligence and your damages. Contact Nordean Law to discuss your legal options.
Side impact collisions occur when one vehicle strikes another on the side. The front, rear, and doors can be affected. When a car crashes into the door of another, the occupants are vulnerable to severe injuries and may be killed.
If you or your loved one gets injured in a side-impact collision accident, contact our office online or call 888-527-1267 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Orange County. Our law firm handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get compensated if you don’t get compensated. And also, when we win the valuable cases of our clients, we pay them.
HEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY OF SATISFIED CLIENTS
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The best lawyer in the area! He and his team will take great care of you. They are very good with taking questions and answering them without lying to you. I will use Sam and his firm for any cases I might encounter. Highly recommend!!
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Nordean Law is working in my injury case and can't thank them enough. Sam and his team have been reaching and keeping me informed with all pending matters. I appreciate that because with all that is currently going in right now, I need some stress off my shoulders. Thank you Nordean Law!!!
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Sam Nordean is a great lawyer. He handled my case with the utmost professionalism. After taking my case, Nordean was always very straightfoward about all proceedings. He never sugarcoated things and was very honest. As the client, I appreciated that Sam Nordean would advise me about the proceedings but that my opinions and voice was also heard. Sam Nordean fought for me as the victim in my case and I was very happy with the outcome. Sam Nordean is a great lawyer and I would recommend him for anyone in need of a personal injury lawyer.
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If you are worried about your claim you should contact Nordean Law. Sam Nordean and his team are not only true professionals with integrity, but also sincerely care about their clients well being and state of mind throughout the process.
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My family and I were involved in an auto accident. I was referred to Sam Nordean through a good friend of mine who is a current client. That meant a lot to me. I called Sam immediately and he answered the phone. I thought, "Wow, an attorney who actually answers his phone". I explained to him what had happened and he and his Team immediately took over. They have already taken care of our property damage issue and are making sure we have the best medical treatment available. We still have a ways to go, but I know Sam is working hard for my family. And, when I call him he still picks up. Thank you Nordean Law
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I can’t thank the Nordean Law group enough! The amount of clarity they provide by walking you through every single step is beyond relieving. The entire team is so professional! And they truly fight for justice! Our family has been with them since 2017 and appreciates all the hard work! Don’t look any further, go for the representation of Nordean Law
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Very knowledgeable and experienced law firm. Very polite service representatives who care about your needs and help you find the right help.
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Nordean Law, APC represented me and helped me through my insurance case when they refused to pay my bills. Sam was very patient, experienced, and well-knowledgeable such qualities are hard to find in one attorney. No matter how many times I called or asked questions he was always attentive and understanding. I would recommend them to anyone in a heartbeat! Thank you for winning my 2 cases!
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Sam and his team are amazing. My mom experienced a major fall and ended up getting seriously hurt. Sam and his team stood by her side every step of the way and took her under their wing making sure she got all the care that she needed. Communication is key to any relationship rather it be business or personal and Nordean law made sure their was no confusion and all points were made aware to both parties. Thank you sharmin, Alyssa, patty and Sam ! Your time and hard work is definitely appreciated!
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I was rear ended on the highway by a driver that was not paying attention. He didn’t even slow down. After the collision, I couldn’t even walk. Sam and his team helped me every step of the way. They made sure that I received the best treatment. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. They fought the insurance company to make sure I received full value for my car. Sam was able to get all my bills covered and on top of that held the other driver and his insurance company accountable. I received the settlement that I deserve and helped me move with my life after an accident that changed my life.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Side-Impact Collision?
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that 94% of all crashes occur due to driver error. However, even careful and skilled drivers make mistakes; sometimes, one minor lapse spells disaster.
Humans could be better at maintaining focus and making judgments when they grow tired. Also, people are prone to boredom when completing a repetitive task like driving. As a result, they may find it impossible to maintain vigilance.
The solution to human error may come from autonomous cars and trucks. Run by computers that never tire and have flawless reactions, these scientific marvels may soon eliminate 94% or more vehicle accidents.
But until robots rule the roads, we will continue to see countless sideswipe accidents. These accidents occur for many reasons, with the following the most common:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Bad weather conditions
- Failure to obey traffic lights
- Nighttime driving
"We never lose sight of the pain and suffering of your recovery, not to mention emotional trauma that lasts for years."
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Side-Impact Collisions?
Side-impact collisions can cause severe injuries when the impact crushes occupants. Many side-impact crashes are fatal for the occupant sitting in the seat where the direct impact took place. All drivers should take pains to avoid side-impact collisions.
A side-impact collision personal injury victim can sustain injuries ranging from minor to severe to fatal. Some of the common side-collision injuries Nordean Law sees include the following:
- Lacerations
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Facial scarring
- Sprains, strains, and muscle tears
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
The families of deceased victims often file wrongful death lawsuits against the at-fault driver. Wrongful death claims are lawsuits to compensate the survivors for their loss financially. Though no lawsuit can undo the tragedy, the family can at least receive an award for lost income, lost relationships, and grief.
Recent Results
$5,800,000
Wrongful Death
$1,250,000
Traumatic Brain Injury
$1,000,000
Auto v. Truck
$633,000
Medical Malpractice
$480,000
Slip and Fall
$450,000
Slip and Fall
$2,000,000
Auto V. truck
$500,000
auto v. Auto
Who Is At Fault for a Side-Impact Collision?
Fault for a side impact collision varies according to the circumstances. Unlike rear-end collisions, there is no strong presumption of liability based on the vehicle’s position. Instead, investigators must review the totality of the situation and what led to the crash before deciding.
Some side-impact cases are obvious and one-sided. For instance, if a drunk driver runs a red light and sideswipes a vehicle legally crossing the intersection, there is little room for doubt about who is at fault. In a case like this, the plaintiff should receive 100% of his proven and punitive damages.
California’s pure comparative negligence law reduces some awards.
Under comparative negligence, each party to the accident is assigned a percentage of the liability between 0% and 100%. In the case of a drunk driver running a red light and sideswiping another vehicle, it is not unusual for juries to decide the plaintiff has 0% liability and the defendant 100%.
In other cases, the jury may find the plaintiff partially responsible. For instance, the defendant may have caused the accident, but the plaintiff may have contributed by speeding. In that case, a jury may assign the plaintiff 20% liability and the defendant 80%. When the plaintiff is partially at fault, his award is reduced by the percentage of liability the jury assigns.
California Vehicle Code for Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact accident victims can seek economic, general, and punitive damages. Economic damages cover the direct cost of the accident, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Medications
- Ambulance charges
- Hospital bills
- Diagnostic tests
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Long-term care
- Lost wages
- Lost business income
- Lost benefits
- Property damage
General damages cover the intangible impacts of the injury, including the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Courts would award punitive damages only if the defendant acted in a heinous manner. For instance, a drunk driver who runs a red light, swipes a vehicle and kills an occupant could face punitive damages. On the other hand, accidents attributable to mistakes made by law-abiding motorists usually have no basis for punitive damages.
What Damages & Compensation Can Be Recovered in Side-Impact Collisions?
California law permits personal injury victims to seek three types of damages: Economic, general, and punitive. Economic damages cover the direct financial impact of the accident and usually include the following:
- Ambulance bills
- Medical bills
- Medications
- Intensive care
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Assistive devices
- Lost wages
- Lost business income
- Lost self-employment income
- Lost benefits
- Property damage
General damages are the non-economic impacts of the accident and include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Courts rarely award punitive damages, but for them to apply, the defendant must have acted egregiously.
"We never lose sight of the pain and suffering of your recovery, not to mention emotional trauma that lasts for years."
Contact a Top Rated Orange County Side-Impact Collision Lawyer
Nordean Law understands the pain and devastation a side-impact collision can have on the victim. Pain, debilitation, disability, and a diminished life often result.
Do not accept less than your total damages. Settling for fewer means, you are never made whole. Nordean Law’s legal team will investigate your claim, build an undeniable case, and fight to win everything you deserve.
Contact Nordean Law for a free consultation.