Talking About T-Bone Car Crashes- Who is at Fault?
Side-impact crashes, or T-bone accidents, occur when one vehicle makes a 90-degree angle slam into the side of another vehicle. They may not be as deadly as head-on or rollover accidents but do lead to severe injuries.
If you get involved in an accident and suffer from serious injuries, you are entitled to receive compensation. You can claim your current and future medical expenses, all the pain and suffering, and lost wages if you can’t work.
Here’s more about T-bone auto accidents, and what you should do if you get involved in one.
Possible Injuries After a T-Bone Accident
Various factors contribute to the impact of T-bone accident injuries. They include:
- Impact angle
- If the passengers wore seatbelts or not
- Presence of airbags
- Speed of collision
- Types of vehicles involved
Side-impact collisions usually lead to the car door collapsing and windows breaking. So it’s not surprising that neck, back, and head injuries are common. Most accident victims end up with herniated discs, whiplash, strains, sprains, back injuries, and fractures.
What You Need to Do After a T-Bone Collision
- The first thing a victim of any auto accident has to do is call the police and 911.
- The injured with visible cuts, bruises, and fractures know they need immediate attention.
However, victims may also suffer from internal injuries like whiplash that aren’t visible immediately. There may not be any immediate symptoms. But they tend to aggravate and grow prominent with time. Consulting a doctor and following their advice helps with the treatment. - Besides immediate medical care, there are some other things to do after an accident. They include collecting as much evidence from the accident scene as possible.
It includes:
- The contact information of witnesses and drivers of other involved vehicles
- Photos of road conditions, vehicle damage, and further accident-related details
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
Proving Liability
T-bone accidents usually occur because one driver did not give way. Unfortunately, while it may be obvious who the responsible party is, it’s difficult to prove their fault.
It’s because there are so many possible scenarios, making it sometimes difficult to establish who’s at fault. Examples are:
- A T-bone crash occurring when a driver takes a dangerous left turn. In this case, the driver is considered liable for not giving way.
- Drivers who jump traffic lights are considered partially liable.
- Distracted while texting or talking on the phone
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol
- Sometimes another negligent driver may have pushed the driver and ended up hitting the other vehicle. In this case, the driver insists that he was not at fault.
But as T-bone accidents generally occur at an intersection, there are usually witnesses around to describe what happened. Their testimony can help prove the liable party.
Video recordings of cameras at intersections can also provide proof to prove who’s at fault.
Whatever you do, be careful about what you discuss with the police and other involved drivers. Never make the mistake of admitting fault. Your revelation can make it difficult to prove your innocence, especially if there’s a lawsuit involved.
Potential damages and expenses after the collision
It doesn’t matter if you are completely or partially responsible for the accident. You have the right to seek damages for:
- Medical expenses, which includes hospital bills and physical therapy
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- Any future care and treatment you need
- Accidental death
Contact Your Glendale Auto Accident Attorney
After suffering so much physical, mental and monetary loss, it’s better to leave the claim process to the professionals. Most auto accident lawyers in Glendale offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
They will then use their expertise and experience to maximize your rightfully deserved compensation.