T-bone accidents are usually the result of a driver’s failure to yield the right-of-way or obey a traffic light. In these scenarios, the driver of either vehicle could be to blame depending on who had the right to enter the intersection. A T-bone accident is capable of causing severe or even deadly injuries due to the lack of safety features on the sides of vehicles. For the victims lucky enough to survive the impact, dealing with painful and potentially permanent injuries that will forever impact the quality of their lives is a very real possibility.
How is liability determined in a T-bone collision?
If you were injured in a T-bone collision, you could be eligible to bring the at-fault driver to book for the medical expenses and other financial damages you incurred. An experienced T-bone accident attorney from Local Accident Reports can help you prove liability and advice you on the best course of action for pursuing financial compensation. At Local Accident Reports, we provide sound legal advice and support for motor vehicle accident victims nationwide. We are dedicated to helping our clients collect the maximum amount of compensation for their damages. We offer a free initial consultation, and our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis so you pay nothing out of pocket unless we win your case. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you after a serious T-bone accident.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A side-impact collision, more commonly known as a T-bone accident, is a common type of car accident wherein the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. This kind of accident leaves the two vehicles in the shape of the letter T after impact, hence the name. Some of the most common causes of T-bone accidents are:
- Drunk, drowsy, or distracted driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Failing to stop at stop signs or traffic lights
- Jumping a green light
- Losing control of a vehicle on icy or slick roadways
- Incorrect or illegal merging on interstates or highways
- Unlawful lefthand turns
- Negligent backing-up in a parking lot or driveway
- Speeding
- Defective vehicle parts, such as steering or braking systems
Regardless of the cause, T-bone accidents have the potential to be extremely dangerous. The seriousness of any injuries and the damage to the vehicle will differ widely depending on the speed and area of impact of the vehicles involved. In general, vehicle occupants are far more vulnerable to severe injuries in side-impact collisions than in rear-end or sideswipe crashes.
Common T-Bone Accident Injuries
Injuries that are commonly sustained as a result of T-bone accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord or vertebrae could result in loss of muscle control, loss of sensation, and total or partial paralysis.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Skull fractures, concussions, and other life-threatening brain injuries can be caused by sudden or violent impacts, jolts, or blows to the head.
- Neck injuries: Side impact collision victims often endure severe whiplash that causes nerve damage, soft tissue injuries, and even neck fractures.
- Bone fractures: It is not uncommon for T-bone accident victims to sustain compound or simple fractures to the legs, arms, shoulders, or ribs during an accident.
- Amputations: In catastrophic T-bone accidents, the impact could pin or crush an accident victim’s limbs, which can result in involuntary amputation at the scene or later on at a hospital.
- Lacerations: Twisted hunks of metal, smashed and broken glass, and fragments of car parts flying around can easily lead to small cuts or severe lacerations.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: Accident victims often develop a psychological disorder that involves nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
Who is Liable in a T-Bone Accident?
Simply because one vehicle strikes another does not automatically mean the driver of the striking vehicle is to blame. In order to determine who was liable for a T-bone car accident, it is essential to figure out who had the right-of-way when the accident took place. When two vehicles collide during a T-bone accident, it is because one of the drivers failed to yield the right-of-way. Although who had the right-of-way might have been evident to those involved in the accident, it is not always obvious to the police officers and insurance company representatives who were not at the scene. Things can get even more challenging when each driver denies responsibility for the accident by asserting they had the right-of-way.When attempting to determine who is liable for a T-bone accident, investigators will collect and analyze evidence from the scene, along with other forms of evidence, including testimonies from accident reconstruction experts and eyewitnesses.
How is Liability Proven?
A T-bone accident attorney from Local Accident Reports will gather evidence that shows the other driver was responsible for your accident. Our lawyers know that when it comes to investigating these kinds of accidents, it is important to move quickly in order to conserve evidence before it is destroyed or lost. Liability can be proven through the use of many different kinds of evidence, such as:
- Video footage or photographs of the accident from vehicle dashcams, security cameras, and nearby traffic cameras
- Traffic light records, which can show the status of a stoplight at the accident occurred
- Statements from passengers, drivers, and bystanders who witnessed the accident firsthand
- Police crash reports, which contain diagrams of the crash scene and the responding officer’s opinion about who caused the collision
- Evidence of any vehicle faults like defective steering systems, brakes, airbags, turn signals, or tires
- Testimony from expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction experts
Contact a T-Bone Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a serious T-bone accident, reach out to the motor vehicle accident attorneys from Local Accident Reports today. We have a well-established track record of achieving successful outcomes for our injured clients. Call Local Accident Reports at (888) 657-1460 to schedule your free case review and find out what course of action our experienced attorneys recommend for your circumstances.
