Were You a Victim of a T-Bone Accident? Here’s What You Should Know About Such Accidents
The severity of the injury you sustain after an auto accident depends on several factors. One of these factors is the way an impact occurs. For instance, the impact of a car hitting another from behind is different from the impact associated with a side hit. T-bone accidents, whose impact is quite intense, are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. A T-bone accident can leave you with severe injuries that range from traumatic brain injuries to shattered ribs. Such injuries can have adverse and sometimes even permanent effects on a person’s life.
If, after a T-bone accident, you sustain a severe injury, you will have to cope with overwhelming medical bills. On top of that, you might have to stay away from work, and that might cause you stress and strain you financially. Being unable to go to work because of an injury might also mean the loss of your career. Fortunately, victims of T-bone accidents caused by others’ negligence can seek and receive compensation in Florida.
Understanding the Meaning of T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents are also called broadside, right-angle or side-impact accidents.
A T-bone/side-impact/right-angle/broadside accident happens when one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle. The impact of a T-bone accident is quite intense because such an accident impacts the side where there is not enough vehicle material to protect a passenger or a motorist. Usually, the left or right sides of a car (the sides where T-bone collision impacts happen), unlike the front or back sides of a car, have little vehicle material to protect passengers or drivers in case of accidents.
Often, in a broadside accident, the broadsided vehicle crashes into oncoming traffic or other obstacles because of the force of the impact that pushes the broadsided car sideways. Sometimes, a vehicle can even roll over completely after a T-bone collision. Such occurrences are the ones that make these accidents among the worst types of auto accidents.
According to the IIHS, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, T-bone collisions in the U.S. cause approximately 23% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in a year.
Both adults and children risk sustaining severe or even fatal injuries in T-bone accidents, but these accidents are most dangerous for children.
Causes of T-Bone Accidents
Most broadside collisions happen when a motorist refuses to yield to the motorist with the right of way. For instance, if a driver does not yield to oncoming traffic at an intersection, a T-bone accident will most likely happen. Motorists can fail to yield to other motorists for reasons such as;
- Distracted driving
- Over speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving
- Miscalculation of a gap in traffic
- Drunk or impaired driving
T-Bone Collision Common Injuries
Victims of T-bone accidents risk sustaining other severe injuries apart from traumatic brain injuries and shattered ribs. Other injuries commonly associated with T-bone injuries include;
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Chest trauma
Wrongful death is also something a deceased person’s family might have to deal with after a T-bone accident. Fortunately, after filing a wrongful death claim, the compensation a family receives can significantly help family members. Suppose a spouse loses a supportive partner because of another motorist’s negligence. In that case, the compensation received after a lawsuit’s success can help the remaining spouse comfortably take care of themselves and/or their child/ren.
Liability in T-Bone Accidents
A motorist is liable for your injury and damages after a T-bone accident if they acted negligently. Therefore, to have any chance of receiving compensation after a T-bone accident, you must prove to the court that the other motorist acted negligently. A qualified car accident attorney can help you prove negligence.
After proving negligence, you must show the court that the other party’s negligence, or, generally, the accident, was the cause of your injury. An attorney can also help you prove a link between the T-bone accident and your injury.
Lastly, you must prove damages incurred after the accident. Victims of T-bone accidents have the legal right to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Victims of T-bone accidents usually stand to receive compensation for several damages because of such accidents’ extensive impact. When you work with a qualified car accident attorney, you stand a high chance of receiving a fair amount.
Take note that, sometimes, T-bone accidents happen due to the fault of more than one party. However, even if you are somewhat to blame for a side-impact collision, you are still entitled to receive compensation because Florida is a comparative negligence state.
Contact a Naples Car Accident Attorney Today
Do you need help filing and handling a personal injury lawsuit after a T-bone accident? If so, contact a Naples car accident attorney at The Law Offices of Marc. L. Shapiro, P.A., today at 239-649-8050 to schedule a consultation.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html
