Side Impact Collision

It happens in an instant. You are driving safely and responsibly when something catches the corner of your eye. You turn your head to look, but of course it is too late. You hear a loud crash as you feel your car rocked from side to side, and after a split second delay, you realize what has happened. You have suffered a side impact, or T-bone, collision.

What is it?

A side impact crash is defined as when the front of an automobile meets the side of another.

Damaging and often deadly

Second only to head-on collisions, side impact collisions are the most dangerous, causing approximately 8,500 deaths each year. They are sometimes referred to as broadside collisions or T-bone collisions. The most dangerous side impact collisions occur when the point of impact is between the vehicles front and rear tires.

Some cars are equipped with side curtain airbags, however, they are not yet a standard feature for most cars and trucks. Though the auto industry has begun to treat these types of crashes more seriously in terms of outfitting vehicles with preventative safety features, they remain a very serious threat.

Why are they so dangerous?

Think about it. When it comes to a side impact collision, there is simply less machinery between the passenger and the source of the impact. In most cars, the front and rear sections have crumple zones that absorb energy in a crash. The side of a car is extremely vulnerable and leaves both the driver and passengers open to injuries.

Because of these facts, side impact collisions are more likely to result in fatality than either front or rear end car crashes. Most vehicle fatalities occur because of brain or head injury from impact with the side of the car or another object that breaches the cabin.

Particularly, when a smaller vehicle is impacted by a larger one, the likelihood of a fatality is increased. The bumper of the larger vehicle poses a greater threat to the driver and passengers in the smaller one.

Sideswipe collision

Another, less dangerous form of a side impact collision is a sideswipe. This occurs when two vehicles connect while traveling alongside each other. Oftentimes these only result in superficial damage to the vehicle, though depending on the speed and angle of impact, they can be just as dangerous as a full-blown broadside.