A T-Bone accident involves a dangerous and often high-speed broadside impact when the negligent driver of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle at a right-angle. Nearly all T-Bone accidents occur in intersections.
Free Consultations For California T-Bone Accident Victims
At Maison Law, we represent the victims of California car accidents, along with the families of those who perished in them. Our firm’s founder, Martin Gasparian, has years of experience in dealing with t-bone accidents after working for California’s oldest law firm. That valuable insight allows our team to give you the support you need to get full compensation for your injuries.
To learn more about how our firm can help you, contact us for a free consultation.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents in California
California roads are known for the enormity of some intersections, and it’s a wonder that planners are able to safely control traffic patterns. There is heavy reliance though on drivers doing the right thing at the right time, and when they fail to follow the rules of the road at intersections, t-bone impacts can occur.
As per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, about 8,000 people die from t-bone accident injuries every year. Children are especially vulnerable in these types of accidents, but thousands of other vehicle occupants are also injured in t-bone accidents.
The most common cause of a t-bone accident is negligence, usually when the other driver fails to yield the right-of-way at a traffic light or stop sign. Other causes might include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Switching lanes unpredictably.
- Distracted driving, either by a phone or other passengers.
- Speeding or driving aggressively
- Power outages
- Traffic signal timing malfunction
Establishing Liability In T-Bone Accidents
The key to any successful claim in a t-bone accident begins with establishing liability. In the vast majority of these accidents, the driver who struck your vehicle may be held liable for the t-bone accident because they very likely acted negligently and it caused the collision.
Still, t-bone accidents can happen virtually anywhere on the road, which can make it difficult to pinpoint an exact cause or situation where they’re likely to occur. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances of the accident, there could be a number of liable parties, including:
- You or the other driver – When you cross through a green light at the same time another driver runs the light and strikes you from the side, then the driver that caused the collision will be liable for any damages. However, if the scenario is reversed and you tried to speed through the intersection while the other driver was crossing through the light, you could be found liable.
In any event, one side will potentially try to absolve themselves of fault. That’s why working with our experienced t-bone accident lawyers is crucial, because we can collect the evidence needed to show who truly was at fault for your accident.
- The Vehicle Manufacturer – If there was a faulty part that caused the t-bone collision, such as bad brakes or a stuck accelerator, the manufacturer of the vehicle may share partial or full liability for your losses and injuries.
Under California product liability laws, you can hold the car manufacturer liable for damages caused by their products. This is another area where our experienced team can help you, as we can investigate your crash, including the condition of the vehicles involved at the time of the accident to help determine if the manufacturer has any liability.
- Another Driver – Sometimes, the person who is at-fault can avoid the initial collision, but still cause the accident. Usually, this happens when the driver might make an improper left turn in front of an oncoming car, causing that driver to swerve to avoid a collision, only to end up striking the side of another vehicle. In these cases, the driver who started this chain reaction with the illegal turn is liable for damages, even if their vehicle did not actually hit any of the others.
Not only is this driver liable for the damages, but they are also legally obligated to stay at the scene of the crash, even if they weren’t directly involved. If they do not stay on scene, you could also bring a claim for an illegal hit and run.
Common Injuries Caused by T-Bone Impacts
In a t-bone accident, an impact might cause one vehicle to be thrown off course and into an oncoming vehicle. A vehicle might even roll over. As t-bones are side impacts, vehicles are less protected than front or rear impacts, even with side airbags. Some common t-bone impact injuries include the following:
- Neck injuries include tearing of muscles, tendons and ligaments. These may also include vertebral fractures, disc displacement or herniations, nerve and spinal cord impingement or spinal cord tears.
- Lower back injuries including disc displacement, herniations and impingement of the sciatic nerve that leads to loss of range of motion and leg and foot dysfunction.
- Head injuries including lacerations, concussions, skull fractures and traumatic brain injury.
- Broken bones, including fractures of the neck, ribs, hip, arm, hand and leg.
- Wrongful death when a victim loses his or her life in a t-bone crash.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Damages in a California T-Bone Accident
The general rule in California is that the victim of a t-bone accident is eligible to pursue compensation for injuries and damages that were suffered as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else. Those damages might consist of the following:
- Past medical bills and medical bills reasonably expected to be incurred in the future.
- Past lost earnings and earnings reasonably expected to be lost in the future.
- Pain and suffering calculated to the claimant’s life expectancy.
- Any lifelong disfigurement or disability.
- Diminished enjoyment of life.
- Funeral and burial costs and other valuable damages in the event of a wrongful death.
Experienced and Skilled California T-Bone Accident Lawyers
At Maison Law, we have the legal experience, skills, and resources that are necessary to achieve a successful outcome in just about any type of car accident case. You don’t have the background or experience to bring a personal injury claim or lawsuit on your own.
That’s exactly what the opposing insurance company wants to see, though. You’ll make irreparable mistakes from the first step, and you’ll devalue your own case.
Rather than doing that, preserve and protect the value of your case by retaining us at Maison Law to represent you. A free and confidential consultation can be set up by phoning or emailing us. Your questions will be answered honestly, and if we’re retained to represent you, we will get you headed in the right legal direction. Don’t try to represent yourself for a minute.
Contact us at Maison Law right away after being injured or losing a family member in any t-bone accident anywhere in California.
