T-bone accidents can be absolutely traumatic. Such crashes happen when one vehicle drives into the side of another, forming the shape of a T. Sadly, these accidents tend to be especially devastating. According to the National Safety Council, angle collisions, including T-bone accidents, account for nearly half of all motor vehicle deaths annually.
If you have been injured or a loved one has died in a T-bone accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed. The physical, emotional, and financial tolls resulting from a serious collision can be life-altering. An experienced T-bone accident lawyer is the advocate you need to pursue fair compensation and help you get your life back on track.
The car injury attorneys at Siegfried & Jensen have been on the side of Utah injury victims for over 30 years. Our legal team has successfully recovered over 1.2 billion in damages for our clients, and we want to hear your story. Call a T-bone accident lawyer today at (801) 845-9000 for a free case review.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents most often happen when one driver fails to yield to another who has the right-of-way. The driver who failed to yield thus crashes into the side of the other vehicle. Unfortunately, such accidents are often the result of distracted or reckless driving.
Some of the most common causes of T-bone accidents include the following:
- Texting while driving
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Driving while exhausted or drowsy
- Driving while intoxicated or otherwise impaired
- Distracted by the GPS
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to obey traffic signals
- Misjudging another driver’s speed
- Icy road conditions
Many T-bone accidents are preventable, and driver negligence is a significant contributor to such collisions. A skilled personal injury lawyer will be able to help you establish the facts of your case and understand your legal options as you seek compensation.
Establishing Fault in a T-Bone Accident
T-bone accidents typically happen at intersections, but they can occur whenever vehicles enter traffic from a right angle, such as in parking lots and driveways. In many cases, it is not difficult to determine who caused this type of collision. For example, a driver who made an illegal left turn or ran a stop sign is clearly to blame for the resulting crash.
In order to prove that the other driver was responsible for the accident, and to successfully pursue damages, evidence must show clearly that:
- The other driver had a duty to drive carefully and attentively
- The other driver was negligent, thus not meeting the duty of care
- The T-bone accident occurred as a direct result of the other driver’s negligence
- The T-bone accident caused actual injury or harm
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, the driver of either vehicle may be to blame for the T-bone accident. Still, every driver has the responsibility to drive safely and obey traffic laws. Therefore, if your T-bone accident was the result of another person’s inattention, aggressive driving, or another infraction, you might be able to file a claim or lawsuit against that party.
Common T-bone Accident Injuries
T-bone accidents are often more serious than other car accidents because the side of a vehicle does not absorb much of the force of the crash, unlike in a front or rear-end collision. Thus, they often result in significant, even catastrophic, injuries.
Since there is essentially no buffer in such accidents, the person who is on the side of the vehicle that is struck will likely take most of the impact from the accident.
Some of the most common injuries resulting from T-bone accidents include:
- Blunt force trauma
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Pelvic injuries
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Organ damage
- Broken or fractured bones
- Burns
Many of these injuries require lengthy recovery periods and may have lifelong ramifications. It is important that your compensation amount accounts for the full scope of your injuries, including your current condition and how much you may suffer down the road.
Potential Long-Term Effects of T-Bone Accident Injuries
A serious T-bone accident can result in severe injuries and significant emotional trauma. These physical and emotional wounds can impact the rest of your life.
The long-term effects of T-bone accident injuries may include:
- Chronic pain
- Long-term disability
- Paralysis
- Loss of mobility
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of companionship
When a serious accident has turned everything you know upside-down, you need all the help you can get to rebuild your life. A T-bone accident lawyer at Siegfried & Jensen will be able to use his or her legal know-how and resources to help you establish a strong and compelling case as you move forward with your personal injury claim.
Recovering Compensation in a T-bone Accident
Any compensation you receive in a T-bone accident will depend on your specific case as well as the extent of your injuries. However, in general, you may qualify to obtain restitution for:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
If you have been in a T-bone accident, it is critical that you take timely action if you are looking to recover compensation. Deadlines often apply to personal injury or wrongful death claims. Prompt action will help you preserve evidence and give you and your lawyer the time required to investigate and build your case.
How a Lawyer Who Handles T-bone Accident Claims Can Help
The process of filing an insurance claim or lawsuit after a serious accident can be complicated and frustrating. Additionally, insurance adjusters are notoriously difficult to work with and may attempt to pressure you into an agreement that will not meet your long-term needs. Therefore, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced T-bone accident lawyer to aim for maximum compensation.
A personal injury lawyer can assist you with your claim in multiple ways:
- Giving you trustworthy legal advice
- Gathering evidence on your behalf
- Calculating your damages and future costs
- Protecting you from a hasty and unfair settlement
- Negotiating with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Representing you in court if necessary
Professional and adept legal representation can give you confidence and peace of mind as you work to resolve an insurance claim or pursue a lawsuit.
Contact a T-bone Accident Lawyer at Siegfried & Jensen for Free Advice
If you have been seriously injured or a loved one has been killed due to a T-bone accident, you deserve full and fair compensation. This can be an emotional and scary period for you and your loved ones, please remember that you do not have to go it alone. The legal team at Siegfried & Jensen is ready to fight for you during this difficult time.
Our personal injury lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping Utah injury victims make their lives whole again. Your first call to us is always free, and – with no upfront legal fees for our services – you only have to pay us if and when we resolve your claim.
Contact the legal team at Siegfried and Jensen for help today. Call us at (801) 845-9000 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. One of our representatives is standing by to take your call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
