You're driving down the road peacefully when suddenly a vehicle comes out of nowhere at the intersection and makes an impact with the side of your vehicle after a faulty left turn. As a driver who was just in an accident, your mind can be spinning wildly. You are not thinking about all the complicated consequences of a vehicle accident.
A T-bone accident can happen at any time--most often at an intersection. The result of a T-bone collision can lead to several complications, including determining the fault of the accident.
You need a legal office that can help you get the reimbursement you deserve after an accident, especially if you were not the driver to blame.
Call the phone number at Keating Law to settle your vehicle accident with satisfaction.
What Exactly Is a T-Bone Accident?
T-bone accidents, also called side-impact collisions, are crashes involving two vehicles where the front of one vehicle hits the side of another, forming a "T" shape. Of course, a T-bone accident can generate more collisions with multiple cars in a specific situation, but it usually involves two cars. Due to their nature, these collisions often take place at a vehicle intersection.
Despite being one of the more common types of collisions, T-bone accidents are quite deadly. Plus, traffic violations like speeding and negligence can all make the impact even more severe. What's more is that this type of car accident can happen almost anywhere on the road, whether near a stop sign or a traffic light. When a side impact accident occurs, the proper compensation gets decided after determining fault.
Who Are the People at Fault in a T-Bone Collision?
It can be easy to determine who is at fault for side-impact collisions because a driver that does not have the right of way makes an unsafe left turn at an intersection. However, there can still be a crash when the guilty party is unknown at first. This can be even more confusing if you don't know who is liable in a car accident, the owner or the driver. Here are some of the entities that could be at fault for T-bone accidents.
The Other Driver
Most commonly, it is the other driver or the drivers involved who take the blame. T-bone collisions typically happen when a car passes the intersection with a green light while a negligent driver passes without the right of way. What results is an unwanted and expensive crash.
One driver typically takes all the fault because they did not have the right of way. However, this is not always the car that makes the side impact. Sometimes, the vehicle that gets hit from the side is the one that may take the blame. It comes down to the situation and who had the green light or the right of way.
Car Manufacturers
Another driver may not be the cause of the car accident, but rather the car manufacturers. Unfortunately, side-impact collisions can be caused by faulty car parts. Some critical parts that can influence the outcome of who is at fault are brakes and accelerators. Some instances may not lead the car manufacturer to assume all responsibility, but if faulty parts instigated some part of the collision, then the manufacturer must take some of the fault.
Outside Distractions and Other Drivers
There is always a chance that another vehicle is the reason for a T-bone accident. They can swerve and startle another driver, causing them to crash into another. This kind of T-bone accident requires witnesses and the other driver who may or may not have undergone damage. This poses some complications, especially if the driver at fault flees the scene without providing their proper contact and insurance information. This is similar to who is at fault in a car accident when backing up.
Road Engineers
There is another circumstance in which neither driver involved in the collision deserves the blame. Sometimes, road engineers and the street design pose some serious issues that result in a collision. For example, a faulty traffic light can make it difficult for either driver to determine who has the right of way in a situation. The green light or the red light could be very faded or the blinking yellow lights can make the situation even more troublesome.
How to Determine Who Is Responsible and At Fault?
No two car accidents are identical, and that even goes for a T-bone collision, which seems like the same person would be at fault each time. There are different ways to go about determining fault that relies on people with authority. Of course, if you do not like the results of the decision or feel that the wrong party received the blame, you can rely on a lawyer, law firm, or attorney.
Police Report
A police report is the most common way to determine the fault in a T-bone accident. Officials can arrive on the scene quickly and assess the situation. Plus, a police report is statistically accurate in providing the evidence that determines the fault in car accidents.
Keep in mind that a report from the police does not do the job of determining who is at fault. Instead, it is usually the insurance company that decides since they are the parties that must pay for expenses. The report provides specific information and evidence that companies use to determine the blame.
With that being said, it is a good idea to call the police after side-impact collisions. There are some car accident situations in which people brush off calling the legal authorities. However, a T-bone accident can be up in the air as to who receives the fault.
Law Firm
A report from the police can go so far when citing particular evidence about the crash. Still, you can gather more evidence for your car accident case with a lawyer--if needed. Often, accidents are settled simply with a report from law enforcement, but there are times when they come up short. Legal help can find some overlooked pieces that get you the justice deserved.
A lawyer has the power to sway insurance companies if they come to the wrong conclusion about the fault. Filing a claim could help you get the compensation you deserved initially. While a lawyer can help find who is at fault, they are generally the last resort. Still, they are a fantastic resource.
Call our office for a free case review!
What to Expect After a T-Bone Collision
As mentioned earlier, no two car accidents are the same. However, they often come with the same outcomes; damage, some injury, and the process of getting the right compensation. While we never expect to get in a T-bone accident, it is never a bad idea to know what to expect in the case that it happens.
Damage
A car accident is often--if not always--accompanied by some sort of damage. It can range from the most minor dent to the most severe. When you get in a car accident like a T-bone, be prepared for some external wounds on your car. The total cost for repairs depends on how severe the damage is, and if the wrong driver is found to be at fault, then their insurance can end up paying for unnecessary funds, which jacks up their rates.
Personal Injury
A T-bone accident is not the deadliest kind, but it can lead to some injuries. The most common injury is whiplash, which is both painful and frightening. A personal injury attorney can make sure that all medical bills are covered after a driver undergoes a traffic accident injury, making the experience less stressful. While they cannot erase all the pain and suffering from the T-bone accident, legal advice about injuries can alleviate some of the anxiety.
Call our office today and get the support you need!
Getting the Right Compensation
You may also need to get more legal attention if you feel you did not get the right compensation after the T-bone car accident. Often, only one vehicle is at fault in a T-bone car accident, but sometimes the fault can be shared. The results of a collision end with damage and injury--which lead to repair costs and medical bills. For a driver who is not at fault, it is unfair for them to have to pay. While it is uncommon for insurance companies to mistake the culpable driver, it still happens and may even require legal attention.
What Injuries Are Caused by T-Bone Car Accidents?
A T-bone car accident can lead to different kinds of injuries based on the severity of the crash. Whiplash is common, but others can be very concerning. If you feel unwell, seek medical attention immediately after the collision as soon as it is safe to do so. Don't worry about medical costs at the moment, especially if you are not the driver at fault. A personal injury lawyer can help you get the proper compensation if you end up paying for medical costs when you were not at fault.
Here are some of the common injuries caused by a T-bone car accident:
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the more common injuries resulting from a T-bone accident. Drivers suffer from this when their head moves forcibly after the side impact. A driver may also try to hit the breaks, which only contributes to this whipping motion of the head. After the collision, a driver could experience neck pain, back pain, tingling or numbness in the arms, and neck pain caused by motion. These symptoms are signs of whiplash.
Doctors often prescribe pain relievers and muscle relaxers to alleviate some of the symptoms. Overall, whiplash can go away on its own. Still, it is a weight of pain that you did not need to undergo. Plus, a prescription could also mean lost wages. If you were not at fault in your traffic accident case, then a personal injury lawyer can help you make the payments you deserve.
Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that is caused by some sort of force to the head. These are common ailments resulting from a T-bone collision and they do require medical attention. Not treating a concussion can lead to more issues down the road with your head and your brain. If you experience pressure in the head, confusion, loss of consciousness, or nausea (among many other symptoms), you should have your traffic accident injury looked at by a medical professional.
Broken Bones
Due to the impact of the accident, a T-bone collision can cause broken bones, especially if the accident is severe. When the front of one vehicle collides with another, there can be more damage near passengers, increasing the likelihood that they get injured. Bones break with direct contact that has enough force, such as another vehicle. After a side impact, if you experience pain in a region that has a bone, you may need medical attention to treat the injuries. With that being said, if you have any pain in your body, you should still get professional medical advice.
Back, Chest, and Pelvic Injuries
After an accident, a T-bone collision can also cause injuries in the back, chest, and pelvis. Fractures and sprains are all possible outcomes, especially if the T-bone accident involved a motorcycle. Internal damage to your organs is also possible if you experience any pain in these areas. As always, if you feel pain of any sort after your accident, check up with a medical professional to ensure that you are physically sound.
What Are Some Causes of T-Bone Car Accidents?
A T-bone car accident is often instigated by only one driver, rarely both. They often happen when at an intersection when there is a misinterpretation of a red light or a stop sign. A driver may not see the red light or they may be negligent of the intersection in front of them and its oncoming traffic.
Negligence
Negligence is the most common claim that people make when determining the fault of an accident. The driver could be distracted by their phone or something else that leads them to hit traffic as they enter an intersection.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is another instigator that can cause a T-bone side-impact collision. The driver who caused the accident while under the influence can take all the blame while undergoing criminal charges. A driver who gets a DUI must endure serious measures after hitting another driver. For many of these cases, an attorney is helpful.
Unsafe Roads
Unsafe roads at an intersection can also cause a T-bone as they can make driving difficult. Due to improper positioning of stop signs and driver lines, among other things, drivers could lose control at an intersection and have a side impact with another vehicle. When this happens, the road engineers may bear the brunt of the fault of the accident.
Unsafe Car Parts
Car parts that do not function properly can also be the source of an accident at an intersection. Faulty brakes and gears can make drivers lose their control and hit traffic. For a claim like this, it is almost essential to have an attorney or a lawyer to assist with the case.
What to Do After Getting in a T-Bone Car Accident
Getting in an accident at an intersection can be worrisome for either driver. Once the collision happens, make sure that you and all passengers are safe. Then, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe place--away from the intersection--and phone the police. Both drivers should contact each other and exchange information.
Once the dust has settled from the accident at the intersection, it is time to worry about which vehicle gets the blame. This gets determined by the insurance companies since they are the ones who ultimately pay for vehicle repair and medical expenses. Still, they can make improper judgments, so hiring an attorney is always a good idea.
Becoming an attorney client means that you get a more centralized look at your case. The attorney works from their office, usually, and can contact you by phone. This close contact signifies that your case gets the attention it deserves. Even if you are not the driver who is at fault, it is still a good idea to think about hiring an attorney for your vehicle accident.
When to Get a Personal Injury Attorney
A traffic accident can cause a lot of issues, including damage control. Personal injury is another consequence of these kinds of collisions that not only cause direct pain but also lost wages and expensive medical bills. If you do not get the reimbursement you deserve, then you need the legal advice of a personal injury attorney.
As a practitioner of law, an attorney can review evidence with their experience to help you get what you deserve. If an insurance company does not cover your bills, your attorney works with you and your claim so that you feel comfortable with your payments.
Call Our Office Phone Today for a Free Consultation
Call the office phone number at Keating Law Firm for legal advice about your traffic accident. We can offer you a free case review so that you can get quick questions answered. This case review can also give you an inside scoop into how we can help you with your legal claim.