What is a T-Bone Car Accident?

Did you know that each type of accident has a different name to it? Usually, the direction of the impact determines the accident’s name. There are several different names to accidents. That is why it is important to hire an experienced car accident attorney who is knowledgeable in different types of accidents. Generally, a T-bone collision is a side impact collision from another car.

According to the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration, about 8,000 people are killed annually in the United States from T-bone collisions. More than 50% of automobile accidents involve a T-bone style collision.

What Are the Other Types of Car Accidents?

Other than T-bone car accidents, some of the other ways an accident can occur include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipe collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Multiple-vehicle pileups
• Low speed accidents

Among all the different types of accidents, T-bone accidents are more dangerous and lead to more severe injuries when compared to head on or rear impact crashes since the cars crash into each other at a 90-degree angle. A T-bone accident is also one of the most difficult accidents to determine liability. Since a side-impact car accident effects and damages both cars, it is not easy when gathering evidence to determine liability. That is why it is very important to have an attorney that is experienced in T-Bone car accident claims to pursue your claim and gather the correct evidence.

Why is a T-bone Car Accident the Most Dangerous Type of Accident?

When you are involved in a rear end or a head-on collision, there is a lot of physical parts in between both drivers. For example, in a head-on collision, the entire front part of the car is struck before the driver is hurt. When a T-bone car accident happens, the car is hit from the side, and oftentimes the side impact airbags will not even deploy due to low sensitivity. All the cars must have side-impact airbags installed, but not many of them are deployed during an accident.

Who Are the Defendants in a T-bone Accident?

• The other driver: the other driver may have been speeding at high rates, driving while distracted, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Third parties that are legally responsible for the driver: this may include the driver’s guardian or representative.
• Road engineer: Road engineer could be at fault for T-Bone accident if the street has been designed in an unsafe way and multiple T-Bone accidents have occurred numerous times. Examples of how a road engineer could be held liable is when there is an absence of road signs, a distorted lane layout, or poorly drawn Lines.
• Car manufacturers: car manufacturers could be held liable for defects that occur in the car that has resulted in the accident. Defects could include a defective break or defective side airbag. Extensive research needs to be done to figure out how the car manufacturer could be held liable for such a defect. For more information on defects, please visit our page here.
  • For example, driver 1 is driving down the street when he is unable to come to a complete stop because his brakes are not working. He slams on the brakes, but the car does not come to a stop. Instead, the car continues to go forward and hits driver 2. Driver 2 sustains major injuries. The attorney for driver 2 could not only go after driver 1, but could also go after the manufacturer of the car for producing a defective vehicle part.

How Can I Prove Fault in a T-bone Accident?

After being involved in a T-bone accident, it is essential to contact all witnesses to the accident to assist in determining liability. Witnesses will be able to explain the scene and which car had hit another. Witnesses may also have photos or videos they film themselves after the accident. Another type of evidence that could assist in determining liability is video footage. Businesses nearby may have video footage of the accident.

What Should I Do After a T-Bone Accident?

If you have been involved in a T-bone accident, it is very important that you keep calm. The first thing to do is call medical assistance if you or any other party has been injured. The next step would be to move out of the way of traffic to prevent any other accident that may occur. Next, you would need to find a personal injury attorney that is experienced in speaking to insurance companies and aggressively pushing for your legal claims. For more information on what to do after a T-bone accident, please visit our page here.

What Are Common Injuries from a T-bone Accident?

Usually the driver that has been struck from the side will suffer more severe injuries than the other driver. Common injuries that have resulted from T-Bone accident include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Head injuries
• Back injuries
• Internal injuries

Sometimes, T-Bone accidents may also result in death. This may lead to wrongful death claims pursued by the victim’s family.

What are Potential Damages from a T-bone Car Accident?

Damages from a T-bone car accident include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages would be medical bills that the victim had to pay and lost wages that the victim missed out on. Noneconomic damages include the mental anguish and the trauma suffered as a result of the T-bone accident.

Causes of T-Bone Accidents

Common causes of T-Bone accidents include:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Reckless driving
• Distracted driving: This includes texting while driving, eating while driving, fatigued driving, or changing the radio station.
• Blocked View

Benefits of Hiring a T-bone Accident Attorney

A T-bone car accident attorney would successfully be able to file your personal injury case, advocate for your legal claims, advocate to make sure you have the maximum compensation for your injuries, and speak to insurance companies. Since T-Bone accidents involve California traffic laws, is very important to hire an attorney was well-versed in California laws. An attorney who knows traffic laws well will able to litigate your claim successfully for you.

Contact an Experienced Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been involved in a T-bone car accident, contact our personal injury accident attorney today to determine your legal claims and the way to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries. T-Bone accidents can be very complicated, especially when multiple parties are involved. Our experienced attorneys will work to gather as much information as possible to show liability on to other parties. We will build your case and work towards a preferable outcome for you. For a free no risk consultation, contact us today.  What’s even better? Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay us unless we win monetary compensation for you.

***Disclaimer: This page is created by Heidari Law Group for educational purposes. This article provides a general understanding of the law. It does not provide specific advice. By using this site and reading through this page, there is no attorney-client relationship created between you and any member of Heidari Law. Further, due to the constant change of the law, some parts of the information above may no longer be good law.