A t-bone accident is one where one vehicle strikes another vehicle on the side with its front end. These types of accidents often occur at intersections. Quite often, they happen when one of the vehicles runs a red light or fails to yield the right of way to the other driver. The name “t-bone” comes from the way the two vehicles form a “T” shape when impact occurs.
T-bone car crashes are incredibly dangerous to the passengers in the vehicle that is struck on the side. Side impact collisions like those in t-bone accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and even death. That is because of the lack of protection between the passengers and the vehicle striking them on the side.
Common T-Bone Accident Injuries
When compared to rear-end collisions, t-bone accidents tend to happen at higher rates of speed. They also are more likely to result in death and catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common injuries victims suffer in t-bone accidents are:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ injuries and rib injuries
Vehicle rear-ends are designed specifically to suffer impacts and crush in a manner that will protect vehicle occupants. However, there is not nearly as much protection in a vehicle’s sides. While side-impact airbags protect a great deal of protection, they still do not offer as much protection as hundreds of pounds of metal or an engine.
What can I Recover in my T-Bone Car Accident Case?
In any personal injury case, the plaintiff must prove four elements to win the case. Those elements are: duty, liability, causation, and damages. In auto accidents, duty is very simple to satisfy. All drivers have a duty to operate their vehicle with reasonable care.
Next, a plaintiff must prove that the other person was liable or at-fault for the accident. We will discuss those issues further below. Third, a plaintiff must prove that this accident caused the injuries the plaintiff is claiming.
Lastly, a plaintiff must show what damages they’ve incurred as a result of the t-bone car crash. When injured in a t-bone car accident, a person can recover for their economic and non-economic damages that occurred as a direct result. The most common damages for which a Plaintiff can recover are:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced personal injury attorney can help their client that has been involved in a t-bone accident recover for all of the above damages.
Who is At-Fault in a T-Bone Accident?
Determining fault in a t-bone car accident case is very fact dependent. You or your personal injury attorney will have to conduct a thorough investigation to form a liability theory.
Right from the moment your accident occurs, you should be looking for surveillance cameras at the scene of the crash. Often, your attorney will hire an expert to examine the scene of the crash. Other times, you will need to learn about traffic light sequencing.
When One Driver Runs a Red Light
If one driver ran a red light to cause the accident, regardless of whether that vehicle was proceeding straight or turning, then that is the at-fault vehicle in a t-bone accident. However, red light accidents often turn into a “he said, she said” situation.
Typically, you need definitive proof that the other driver ran the red light to win the liability argument. Definitive proof can be eyewitness testimony or video footage of the accident. This is why you should hire a personal injury law firm after a red light auto accident. A personal injury attorney can conduct the investigation to help you overcome all of the obstacles the insurance company will put in front of you.
Right of Way T-Bone Accidents
One of the most common types of t-bone accident cases take place when one vehicle fails to yield the right of way. In these cases, it is typically assumed that if one of the vehicles was making a turn (whether a right turn or left turn) is the at-fault vehicle. However, this is a rebuttable presumption. A turning vehicle can overcome the presumption with the right evidence.
In order to overcome the presumption, the turning vehicle would need to show that the vehicle proceeding straight was breaking some other law, speeding, or distracted in some way. To do this, you’re attorney will often need to hire an expert that can examine the vehicles and the scene. These experts can tell how fast the vehicles were traveling and other things about driver behavior immediately prior to the crash.
Call Knapp Accident & Injury Law
If you or someone you love has been involved in a t-bone crash, you need to contact an experienced car accident attorney. Only a qualified personal injury attorney can get you the compensation you deserve for your t-bone crash injuries. Call Knapp Accident & Injury Law today at (813) 568-3724. Our law firm is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
