Traveling Corcoran roads can carry many risks as careless drivers zip around Kings County day and night. A reckless mistake by a driver can come from any angle but one of the most common and dangerous collisions possible for victims is known as the “t-bone accident.”
Drivers and passengers in a side-impact collision can have little protection from the front-end of another car. The injuries can be severe and take weeks and months to recover from. All the while, victims can be left to worry over incoming hospital and doctor bills. Who will pay for these incredible costs? And what if a victim is missing valuable hours at work and suddenly without a steady income as they heal?
T-Bone Accident Dangers in Corcoran
These collisions can be very dangerous because in a front or rear collision there’s at least a length of metal to crumple and absorb some of the blow. Airbags can also cushion victims in a crash.
In side impacts or “broadsides” drivers and passengers can be sitting very close to the impact points (doors) and have only a few inches of steel and glass between them and the brute force of the impact.
Locally, accident responders in Kings County reported 194 “broadside” impact accidents in 2019. Those accidents resulted in 329 injuries and tragically cost six people their lives.
Nationally, the dangers are also clear in the yearly documentation of collisions. In 2018, there were 3,568 fatalities of car occupants as a result of side-impacts. In the same year, 930 SUV passengers lost their lives in side impacts. Overall, broadside collisions accounted for a tragic 23% of all fatalities in accidents in 2018.
Compensation after a T-Bone Accident
Victims who are healing from a terrible accident may have a hard time focusing on their future wellbeing in the weeks after an accident. But if you’re able, you and your attorney should be focused on your physical and financial recovery as soon as possible. The medical care costs alone can quickly drain your savings account to zero, all over an accident that wasn’t your fault.
California sets the statute of limitations on filing a claim over your injuries at two years. This can seem like plenty of time, but the truth is, the sooner you file your claim the sooner you can hope to see money to help you pay your expenses. It’s also helpful to act quickly while evidence and documents are still relatively easy to obtain. Witnesses can also be easier to track down. When you and your attorney agree that your case is ready, a claim for damages can be sent to the at-fault driver and his or her personal car insurance agent.
If your case is strong and evidence and witnesses are in place, an insurance company will often make you a fair settlement offer to avoid having to go to court and face a judge and jury. If you and your attorney agree that the offer is too low, then you can threaten to take the case to trial. Your attorney can make sure your case is ready if this is necessary.
If you accept a settlement offer or if you earn compensation from a judge or jury decision, you can expect help with all of the hardships you’ve endured since your accident.
These are a few examples of factors that can be considered in determining how much compensation you should receive:
- Actual Damages: Your out-of-pocket costs such as medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages or other income will be compensated. Money can also be included for your travel to different medical appointments and even out-of-state trips to see specialists and get second opinions.
- General Damages: Compensation for non-financial losses such as physical pain and emotional suffering and extreme hardships on your family members. Bouts of depression and anxiety after all of the trauma you’ve endured can also factor into an award.
- Punitive or Exemplary Damages: These apply in certain cases only involving extreme disregard to victims on the part of the at-fault driver. These damages can be awarded to punish the defendant for egregious, intentional, or particularly harmful conduct.
Contact a Corcoran Car Accident Attorney
After an accident involving a serious injury due to the actions of a careless driver, contact an experienced Corcoran car accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
