Being involved in a car accident can have a major impact on your life. Unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time and place. They often come suddenly and catch you off guard. Various factors contribute to the severity of the accident. Individuals involved in low-speed car accidents often sustain minor injuries or no injuries at all. Unfortunately, being involved in a T-bone accident, more often than not, results in catastrophic injuries.
T-bone automobile accidents often lead to debilitating injuries or fatalities. These accidents are often one of the deadliest types of impact when it comes to vehicle collisions. T-bones occur when a vehicle is struck by a vehicle that is traveling perpendicular to it. The point of impact occurs in the passenger side or the driver’s side, illustrating the letter “T.” T-bone accidents are also commonly referred to as broadside collisions, right-angle collisions, or side-impact accidents.
According to statistics, T-bone accidents were responsible for 25% of all traffic-related fatalities during 2015, making it the second deadliest type of car accident in the country. Individuals who are involved in broadside crashes should contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Injured parties are able to hold at-fault parties legally accountable for their actions. Victims can obtain remuneration for their injuries and financial losses caused by their accidents.
Common Causes For T-bone Accidents
Side-impact collisions can happen for a variety of reasons. There are some scenarios that are commonly factored into right-angle incidents across Utah. Some of the most common causes of T-bone accidents include:
Drivers running red lights and stop signs: Drivers who run red lights or miss stop signs at intersections are at risk of colliding with the side of vehicles traveling perpendicular to them. These travelers often have the right of way, so they often proceed through these intersections without added caution. Drivers who miss the stop signs or do not see traffic lights place those with the right-of-way at risk of sustaining serious injuries.
Using mobile phones while driving: Individuals who text, talk, or use their cell phones for other activities while on the road often neglect to pay attention to what is going on around them. For this reason, these drivers are more likely to miss signals and signs and collide with other vehicles.
Distracted drivers: In addition to texting, drivers may be distracted by their radios, GPS systems, eating, or talking to other passengers in the vehicle. Any type of distraction can place those on the roadway at an increased risk of sustaining injuries in an automobile accident.
Drunk driving: Individuals who consume alcoholic beverages prior to taking control of their vehicle are placing the lives of others at risk. This dangerous and reckless driving can lead drivers to miss signals or stop signs at the intersection, or engage in other risky behaviors that increase the likelihood of a broadside crash.
Brake malfunctioning: Unfortunately, there are times when people are driving their vehicles, but their brakes malfunction. When this occurs, it can lead to T-bone collisions and various other types of accidents, like rear-ends. When the brakes malfunction, a driver can be held liable or a manufacturer, depending on the reason why the brakes malfunctioned.
Injuries In T-bone Accidents
Individuals involved in T-bone accidents often sustain various injuries, depending on the speed and point of impact. Some of the most common injuries victims sustain in these accidents include:
Broken bones: Those involved in right-angle crashes are at an increased risk of breaking bones; this is especially true for individuals located on the side of impact. These individuals often sustain broken arms, wrists, or legs, which can require surgeries to repair.
Head trauma: Head trauma is a very common injury in a broadside collision. Individuals involved in these accidents are often pushed suddenly, causing them to jerk sideways, banging their heads on the side windows, steering wheels, or other objects. In some cases, the incoming vehicle strikes a person’s head, causing massive trauma.
Neck injuries: Neck strains, whiplash, and other injuries are very common in side-impact accidents. These injuries often occur as the result of a sudden movement in the neck. Additionally, these injuries can have a delayed onset and can have a severe impact on a person’s ability to function normally. Neck injuries are often extremely painful for those who suffer from them.
Internal injuries: The impact of a vehicle striking you while you are driving places your internal organs at very serious danger of sustaining injuries. Individuals risk suffering damage to their hearts, lungs, liver, gallbladders, spleens, stomachs, or intestines. These injuries are very serious and often life-threatening, which require immediate surgery.
If you sustain these or other injuries in a T-bone accident caused by a reckless or negligent driver, it is crucial for you to contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible.
T-bone Accidents Place Victims At An Increased Risk Of Fatal Injuries
Being involved in a right-angle collision places those located on the side of impact at an increased risk of sustaining serious or life-threatening injuries. This is especially true in cases where the vehicle is hit by a semi-truck or an SUV or a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.
T-bone accidents are very serious and often critical, requiring extensive medical treatment for surviving victims. Working with an experienced t-bone accident attorney will ensure you receive the maximum remuneration for your injuries and damages.
A Utah Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
Being involved in a car accident is an overwhelming experience, especially for those who are injured. It is extremely beneficial for accident victims to hire personal injury attorneys to help them protect their legal rights so they can focus on their recovery. Attorneys as Siegfried & Jensen aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to obtain a full and fair amount of compensation for victim’s injuries and damages. Contact our law firm at (801) 266-0999 to see how we can help you with your case.
Content checked by personal injury attorney Todd Bradford. I worked for a small law firm in Utah County, where I handled various types of cases. My main focus was personal injury and I decided that is what I enjoyed doing the most. I rejoined Siegfried and Jensen in 2012 where my focus is solely on helping personal injury clients. I take pride in helping personal injury clients and enjoy serving them. If you need an attorney for auto accidents or injuries of any kind in Salt Lake City, UT, Ogden, UT, Spokane, WA, or Boise, ID, contact us.
