Read more to learn how our dedicated T-bone accident lawyer can assist you with your case. Call us today for help.
T-bone accidents frequently occur when one driver fails to yield to another who has the right-of-way at a traffic intersection controlled by a stop light or a stop sign. The at-fault driver, who refuses to give right of way, then collides with the side of the other vehicle, “T-boning” it.
If you or a loved one was injured in a T-bone accident, we are here to help. The Eltringham Law Group will work to provide compensation for your injuries and harms. Contact us today to see how a Boca Raton car accident lawyer at our firm can help you after a T-bone collision.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact car accidents, typically stem from driver negligence. Victims are hurt by motorists speeding through intersections, making illegal turns, and failing to obey stop signs. Defective traffic lights or distracted or intoxicated drivers can lead to such accidents as well.
For example, a motorist may make a risky left turn assuming the other driver will stop at a yellow light. If the driver disregards the yellow light, he collides with the turning vehicle, striking its side at an intersection.
While uncommon, faulty parts can lead to a T-bone vehicle accident. A vehicle with defective components, like brakes or steering systems, may be unable to avoid a collision. When attempting to stop at a red light, brakes may fail to respond, resulting in an illegal drive into traffic-controlled intersections.
Types of Injuries Sustained in T-Bone Accidents
Side-impact collisions are traumatic accidents that often culminate in serious injury. In severe cases, this kind of impact can cause the victim’s car to roll. Rolling vehicles are dangerous because their trajectory is difficult to predict. It compromises the car’s structural integrity and traps victims inside.
Accidents where a car is struck perpendicularly are among the deadliest. This is because most of a vehicle’s safety features, such as airbags and bumpers, are located in the front or rear to absorb the impact. Many cars lack passenger and driver-side-impact airbags, meaning the only barriers between an oncoming collision and vehicle occupants are a glass window and metal door.
Accident victims may experience:
- Brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Contusions
- 1st to 3rd degree burns
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Pelvic fractures and lower extremity injuries
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Organ damage
- Broken bones
In a T-bone collision, occupants seated on the side of the impact are more likely to suffer grave injuries. The risk of death increases if they are not wearing a safety belt.
How Is Fault Determined for a T-Bone Accident in Florida?
Fault for a T-bone accident can be complex, but they often happen for two general reasons:
- A vehicle driving straight on crashes into a vehicle turning left.
- A car entering an intersection while obeying traffic signals is hit by a vehicle disregarding road signs.
Sometimes, it’s the fault of neither driver involved. A repair shop, for example, may not do a professional job of repairing a car’s brakes or headlights. If this occurs, they may be liable. Regardless, a driver who violates the rules of the road, like making an illegal left turn or running a stop sign, is likely to be blamed for the ensuing collision.
Victims of a T-bone collision must demonstrate that the other driver was liable for the crash and therefore obligated to compensate for losses. A plaintiff should prove the following four things:
- The other driver had a duty of care to drive with reasonable caution.
- The at-fault driver was negligent, and their actions fell short of what a responsible motorist would have exhibited.
- The T-bone collision that occurred resulted in actual bodily harm and property damage.
Accident victims who demonstrate these elements may pursue compensation against the responsible driver. If neither driver was at fault, a T-bone accident lawyer could assist in determining who might share legal responsibility for the accident.
Let Our Boca Raton T-Bone Accident Lawyers Help
Our T-bone collision attorneys in Boca Raton can fight on your behalf if you or a loved one sustained severe injuries from a side-impact crash. After your case review, our lawyers at Eltringham Law Group will help you through every stage of your claim.
We’ll assist with evidence-gathering, settlement discussions, preparing court hearings, litigating, and appealing if necessary. We have wide-ranging experience in accident cases involving negligent drivers, defective product manufacturers, and other third parties. Contact us today or reach out online for a comprehensive case evaluation.
T-Bone Accident FAQs
What kind of compensation is available following a T-bone accident?
T-bone accident victims are compensated for all medical bills and lost wages. Survivors who lost loved ones in the collision may be able to seek wrongful death damages.
Could I sue the at-fault driver’s employer for compensation?
If the driver who caused the T-bone crash was in the process of performing their job at the time, you could file a claim against that driver’s employer under the vicarious liability law.
Can I receive compensation from the government?
If the T-bone accident was due to poorly designed roads or defective traffic signals, the government entity responsible for road design, management, or upkeep might be liable.