During a T-bone collision, the front or rear-end of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle creating a "T" shape. These accidents are also called side-impact accidents. There are approximately 8,500 -10,000 fatalities every year due to T-bone accidents. The impact of a T-bone accident can cause a vehicle to tip or even roll over. T-bone accidents are most often caused by negligence. Many occur at intersections when a driver runs through a red light and crashes into the side of another vehicle. Occasionally, a T-bone accident is caused because of a poorly designed intersection, a malfunctioning traffic light or a defective automobile part.
T-Bone Accidents have a unique Danger:
When your vehicle is involved in a side-impact crash on the driver's side, there is only a door and a window between you and the vehicle. A side impact (t-bone) collision is extremely dangerous due to the fact that a side-impact crash exposes the person to the impact and the force is absorbed by the injured accident victim's body. Injuries that can be sustained in a T-bone accident include:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Back injuries
- Arm/Shoulder injuries
- Broken Ribs
- Hip Injuries
- Leg Injuries
Side Impact Airbags and T-Bone Accidents:
Side impact airbags are installed in most newer vehicles and they are designed to protect drivers and passengers during T-bone accidents. The protection they provide can be limited. Side impact airbags provide protection during the first impact, but T-bone accidents often produce multiple impacts that can leave passengers or drivers unprotected.
What Causes T-Bone Accidents?
Even the most attentive driver can become the victim of a side-impact collision. These types of accidents almost always occur at intersections. Often, they are due to inadequate traffic signs or driver negligence. Drivers cause side-impact (T-bone) collisions at intersections due to:
- Ignoring "no turn on red" signs
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Disregarding right of way of other drivers
- Failing to yield
- Not making a complete stop
Even front end collisions and rear-end collisions are less dangerous than side-impact collisions because there is more space to absorb the impact of the crash and therefore more space to protect the occupants of the vehicle.
A side-impact collision at an intersection can have a devastating impact and result in serious personal injury. This can cause an extreme amount of stress on the victim as well as the victim's family.
If you have been involved in a side-impact collision and you have sustained a serious personal injury, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Physical suffering
- Mental suffering
- Diminished earning capacity in the future
Sarasota and Bradenton T-Bone Accident Attorneys:
If you sustained serious injuries as the result of a side-impact collision, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Michael L. Morgan Law Group, P.A. at (941) 218-8220. Call us to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
