T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, have the very highest fatality and severe injury rates of any kind of car crash in the United States according to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A T-bone accident occurs when one driver hits another vehicle in a perpendicular manner (creating a T). T-bone accidents often occur at extremely high rates of speed on the highway or at intersections. Because T-bone accidents often happen so quickly, in many cases airbags do not have time to deploy before the impact and trauma to victims occur. If you experienced a T-bone accident, you likely face substantial medical bills, loss of wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Learn more about how you may have the right to receive compensation and justice for your injuries and losses by visiting with an experienced T-bone accident lawyer at Labrum Law Firm at (615) 338-9500 for a free consultation today.
Catastrophic Injuries Related to T-Bone Accidents
The sides of a vehicle simply do not provide the same level of protection as the front and backs of vehicles, according to the research published in the Injury Epidemiology Journal in the National Institutes of Health. As a result, if a vehicle experiences a sudden and violent impact to its side in a sideswiping or T-bone accident, victims often suffer serious injuries or even death.
Common Injuries Following a T-bone Accident
Some of the types of injuries experienced by victims of T-bone accidents may include:
- TBI (traumatic brain injuries)
- Spinal cord damage leading to possible paralysis
- Damage to nerves throughout the body
- Soft tissue damage including injury to ligaments, muscles, and tendons
- Back/Neck injuries such as whiplash, back/neck sprains or strains, or herniated discs
- Internal organ injuries or internal bleeding
- Aortic dissection (from airbag deployment or the impact of a seatbelt)
- Fractured bones or broken bones (possible amputations)
- Death
While these are some of the more commonly seen injuries, the injuries suffered by victims of a T-bone accident can often prove serious and permanent.
Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation
If you experienced a T-bone accident, you should seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. In many cases, adrenaline and shock can prevent a victim from fully realizing the extent of their injuries. If you have not already done so, seek the advice and care of a medical professional in order to receive a diagnosis and any treatment necessary. If you already sought out the advice of a medical professional, make sure to return if you ever develop any additional symptoms or a worsening of existing symptoms. You have a right to receive compensation for your injuries and medical bills if your T-bone accident was the result of someone else's negligence. Visit with an experienced T-bone accident attorney today at Labrum Law Firm in order to receive answers to your legal questions and ensure your legal rights remain protected.
Determining Negligence and Liability in a T-Bone Accident
Making a determination of fault following a T-bone accident can be legally complex and challenging. Many people may assume that the driver that hit the side of the other vehicle is completely to blame. However, there are many circumstances in which both drivers have some level of responsibility and liability, or that the driver that was actually hit has full responsibility for the T-bone accident. The following will help determine negligence and liability in a T-bone accident:
- Did the police issue any citations or violations of the law in their official police report? (i.e. speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign or at a traffic light, swerving in and out of traffic, etc.)
- Did any driver in the T-bone accident receive a charge of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
- Did it appear that any of the drivers were talking on a cell phone or texting at the time of the T-bone accident?
- Did the police make a determination of fault within their official police report?
- Did the other driver appear to act aggressively or with any indication of “road rage”?
- Were there any eyewitnesses to the accident that could testify to the cause of the T-bone accident?
- Are there any cameras at the intersection or in the vicinity that could have potentially filmed the T-bone accident?
- Did either of the drivers admit responsibility and liability for the T-bone accident?
- Did either of the drivers admit any kind of negligence, such as driving while drowsy or being distracted during the time of the T-bone accident?
- Do expert accident reconstruction experts have the ability to determine negligence based on photographs and evidence collected from the T-bone accident?
As indicated above, it is possible that either one driver, or both drivers could have legal responsibility for the T-bone accident. In other cases, a manufacturing defect in one of the vehicles could have caused a vehicle to accelerate inappropriately or fail to brake when necessary. Making a final legal determination of negligence and liability is critical for a victim to help them understand which party (or parties) have a legal responsibility to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Contacting a car accident attorney that specializes in T-bone accidents at Labrum Law Firm can help you better understand all of your legal options and rights.
For a Free Consultation and to Ensure Your Legal Rights Are Protected Contact Us Today
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(1), victims of T-bone accidents only have one year from the date of the accident in order to file a claim in a court of law. It takes a considerable amount of time to conduct an independent investigation, receive full medical treatment, interview witnesses, hire expert witnesses, and develop a strong personal injury case. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney familiar with T-bone accident cases at Labrum Law Firm at (615) 338-9500 today for a free consultation regarding your T-bone accident case. We can help calculate all of your injuries and losses, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court in order to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve under the law, as well as the justice you deserve.
