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To most people, a car accident is simply a collision between two or more vehicles. The type of accident you are in is not something that tends to gain much attention until you must figure out who caused your injuries and losses. How a car accident happens influences liability, the severity of the injuries, and who is most likely to suffer injuries.
A T-bone accident occurs when a vehicle strikes another vehicle perpendicularly. This scenario entails the front end of one vehicle impacting either side of another vehicle. The name T-bone comes from the orientation of the vehicles at the time of impact, which forms the shape of the letter T. Another common reference for this type of accident is a side-impact collision or crash.
A T-bone accident is often very serious and can cause injuries and significant damage to both vehicles involved. Unlike other accidents, a T-bone accident places all passengers at significant risk of injury.
Most vehicle manufacturers focus on the safety and construction of the front and back end of a car, the most common impact points. In a T-bone accident, while the striking point of one of the vehicles is the front-end, the other vehicle is hit from one of the two sides. The side construction of a car provides much less protection and distance between the vehicle’s occupants and the point of impact in a T-bone crash. This can lead to a higher likelihood of significant injuries to those seated on the side that the other driver struck.
People might assume that the vehicle that impacts the other is the cause of the T-bone accident. This assumption is not always accurate. T-bone collisions do not have a default liable party because of the many circumstances that can lead to the accident. Depending on the facts of the case and the events leading up to the accident, either party may have caused the accident.
A T-bone accident usually occurs where vehicles are traveling in directions that intersect. This is why you may come across a T-bone crash along a busy interstate or highway. While accidents happen along these roads each day, the flow of traffic in one direction and lack of intersections make the possibility of a T-bone crash very unlikely. Nearly all T-bone accidents will occur at a traffic intersection.
When a T-bone crash occurs, one of the two drivers probably caused it. However, the events leading up to the accident determine who acted negligently. A driver that violates another’s right of way on the road is likely negligent, but the driver of the vehicle that hits the other car may also be negligent depending on the circumstances.
The reality is that almost all T-bone accidents are avoidable, and it is often the actions of one driver that lead to this potentially devastating collision. Any time a driver takes their focus away from the road it can interfere with their reaction time and result in an accident. If a driver’s risky behavior or distracted driving causes a T-bone accident and injuries to others, they may have acted negligently and are liable for the damages incurred.
Common causes of T-bone crashes include:
The injuries to victims in a T-bone accident can be severe. T-bone collisions have significant force and momentum, often traveling in different directions, which can result in a devastating accident scene. When a T-bone accident happens, the force of one vehicle will push into another vehicle, which can lead to a rollover or spin out. This can cause additional impacts with other vehicles or fixed objects, such as poles, concrete barriers, or buildings. The events following the initial impact in a T-bone crash significantly influence the severity of the victim’s injuries.
Other factors that can affect the injuries in a T-bone crash include:
A T-bone accident is sudden and shocking to the body. In many T-bone crashes, the victims may not recognize that a crash is about to happen, which leaves them unable to brace or prepare for the impact. No part of your body is safe from a T-bone accident. The jarring impact and the continued force of the vehicle can cause multiple, serious injuries.
Common injuries in a T-bone car accident can include:
It is not uncommon for T-bone collisions to result in the fatality of passengers. The people at the highest risk of death in a T-bone crash are often the occupants sitting closest to the point of impact. T-bone accidents are particularly dangerous because of the force of impact on the vehicle. If there is a significant difference between the size of the vehicle that strikes the other, the damage can be even more devastating. In studies conducted by the NHTSA, side-impact crashes, also known as T-bone accidents, are the second deadliest type of motor vehicle accident accounting for over 20 percent of fatalities.
Any car accident can be expensive and cause significant losses to those involved. In a T-bone accident, however, people in both vehicles may sustain life-threatening injuries. If you are the victim of a T-bone accident, you may seek compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurer for the losses you sustain during and after a crash.
Compensation for damages in a T-bone collision can include:
If you are in a T-bone accident, you may be unsure whether you are eligible to seek compensation for your losses from another party. The answer to this question will depend on who is at fault for the accident. It is always best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible so they can help you understand who may be at fault and what your rights are in your case.
An attorney can also represent your interest to the opposing party’s insurance company and avoid risking any of your statements being used to lessen or deny your claim. A lawyer will not only represent you through your insurance claim but can also help you gather the information and evidence you need to present a strong case for who is at fault for the T-bone crash.
Lawsuits are not as common as settlements in car accident cases. Most T-bone car accident cases with a clearly at-fault party will settle through a negotiation that hopefully accounts for most of your losses. However, if the other party disputes fault for an accident or an insurer disputes the losses you claim, a lawsuit may need to seek the compensation you deserve.
If you are in a T-bone collision, you may face significant financial losses, including potentially long-term medical costs for your injuries and damages to your vehicle. You need a car accident attorney who can fight for you against the insurers and other interested parties. Damages in a T-bone accident can be significant and without an attorney, you may risk losing out on the total compensation you deserve. Put your energy into recovering from the traumatic experience of a car accident, and let an attorney put their energy into fighting for you.
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