T-bone (or side-impact) collisions occur when the front of another vehicle crashes into the side of your own (or vice versa), forming a “T” shape between both vehicles. Even though modern automobiles are designed with more safety features in mind than ever before, T-bone collisions still present immense potential to cause severe injuries to many people involved.
Statistics indicate that T-bone collisions account for roughly 13 percent of all traffic accidents. This type of broadside crash can forcefully compress the side of the struck vehicle and potentially cause it to violently flip over. This often leads to serious injuries and extensive losses, so it is important to determine who was at fault.
Because most side-impact collisions occur around intersections, fault is typically determined by determining which person ignored or violated the right of way. They may have done so by:
- Running a red light
- Running a stop sign
- Ignoring a “no left turn” sign
- Recklessly turning out of a parking spot
- U-turning in the middle of traffic
Additional factors may contribute to a driver’s negligence or level of fault, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Drowsy driving
- Road rage
- Unsafe road conditions
- Mechanical errors
Even if the accident somehow happened purely due to external circumstances, such as road conditions or mechanical errors, you may still be able to name negligent road workers and/or vehicle manufacturers as liable parties in a T-bone collision insurance claim or lawsuit.
You’ll want to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in handling car crash litigation, one with the experience and know-how to professionally represent your case in a court of law if needed.
Moreover, you may live in a comparative negligence state, where the law may determine that both parties share different portions of fault for the accident. These laws make it more important to work with an experienced attorney who knows how to shoot down bad faith arguments and make strong arguments in favor of claiming the damages you deserve.
T-Bone Accident Injuries and Damages
Side impact car collisions can lead to whiplash, soft-tissue injury, TBIs, and a whole host of potentially traumatic, devastating, and debilitating injuries. Although you may not fully revert to the quality of life you had prior to sustaining those injuries, you may be able to recover some losses and damages to restore some of that quality of life.
It’s essential that you be proactive and pursue recovering these damages before your state’s statute of limitations to do so is up. You may need to wait to return to work (assuming you’re able to return to work), but your bills, groceries, childcare, and expenses you need to get by won’t wait.
Some of the damages you may be able to claim after a side-impact collision could include:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Childcare expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
If you or someone you know was struck and injured in a T-bone collision, it’s important to be proactive and start fighting for these damages, ideally sooner rather than later. Contact a Downey car accident lawyer at The JLF Firm right away.
