Imagine you’re at an intersection, the light turns green, and you start moving forward. Suddenly, another vehicle crashes into the side of your car at full speed. This type of collision is called a T-bone accident because the impact creates a T shape when two vehicles collide at a right angle. It’s one of the deadliest types of crashes you can experience.
T-bone accidents aren’t limited to intersections with traffic signals. They can happen when people run stop signs, ignore yield signs, enter roadways unexpectedly, or make blind turns into oncoming traffic. Following basic traffic rules, like looking both ways at intersections and waiting for traffic to clear after a green light, can make a significant difference in preventing these potentially life-threatening accidents.
Destructive Force of T-Bone Crashes
T-bone crashes can lead to severe injuries due to a combination of speed and sometimes reckless driving. These accidents often cause collateral damage, affecting people not directly involved in the T-bone collision. Nearby buildings or cars may be damaged, causing harm to other drivers, and even posing risks to unsuspecting cyclists or pedestrians. It’s important to remember that whenever you approach an intersection, make sure to stop and look both ways before going.
Injuries You Could Suffer in a T-Bone Crash
Imagine the aftermath of these terrible accidents, and you’ll get an idea of the serious injuries suffered by the people in the affected vehicles. Unlike front- and rear-end collisions, where safety features like crush zones, airbags, and seatbelts can absorb much of the impact, side-impact crashes expose victims to more severe injuries because they involve the least protected parts of the car. Only a few inches of metal in your car doors separate you from much larger vehicles moving at high speeds. It’s risky in any vehicle, but particularly deadly when a car and an SUV are involved.
The National Institutes of Health published a study that found people in cars hit broadside by SUVs were far more likely to die than the SUV occupants. This was mainly due to the larger mass of SUVs, which caused greater damage to smaller vehicles while providing more protection to the SUV occupants.
T-bone crashes can lead to blunt-force trauma injuries, internal bleeding causing organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and severe spinal damage that may even result in paralysis. Long-term consequences such as loss of mobility, permanent disability, chronic pain, reduced income, and a diminished quality of life can also occur.
Determining Fault in a T-Bone Crash
If you run a red light or speed, especially in a T-bone accident, you likely bear significant responsibility for the outcome. In cases involving mistimed signals, missing signs, power outages, or poor weather, blame might be attributed to local authorities or property owners. Each case is unique, requiring police reports, eyewitness statements, and expert witnesses to determine responsibility. An ACTAR-certified accident reconstruction expert may be consulted to establish ultimate liability for the crash.
Stay Protected After an Accident—Physically and Legally
It’s clear that these accidents are some of the most serious on the road. If you ever find yourself in a T-bone crash, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Call us at 844-3-RIGHT-BY-YOU (844-374-4482) immediately. We have extensive experience assisting clients in recovering damages and overcoming injuries caused by these types of accidents. Make us your reliable legal advocates by giving us a call; we’re here to support you every step through the process—Right By You.