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T-bone car accidents are among the most serious types of crashes. Usually, occurring at intersections, both drivers can suffer serious injury. However, it is not always easy to prove what happened, and that you are the one who deserved financial compensation for the accident. Thus, you need the help of a lawyer as you pursue a check to pay for your injuries.
It could be difficult to get full compensation (or any compensation at all) if you are trying to handle your own case. To speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Little Rock, contact Denton & Zachary today to schedule your free initial consultation.
What Are T-Bone Car Accidents?
T-bone accidents (also known as broadside car crashes) are when the front of one driver’s car strikes the broad side of another driver’s vehicle (either on the driver’s side or the passenger’s side). What makes T-bone accidents so dangerous is that they often occur at 90-degree angles, presenting serious dangers for both drivers involved and their passengers. Worsening the situation is the fact that a T-bone accident can occur at a high speed because the drivers have little chance to do anything that can avoid an accident.
Causes of T-Bone Car Accidents
T-bone accidents occur because one driver fails to yield the right of way when they were legally obligated to do so. T-bone accidents can happen at:
- Stop signs
- Traffic lights
- Unsigned intersections
At every crossing, one car is given the right to pass first, while the other must stop. Otherwise, there would be chaos reigning on the roads.
In a T-bone accident, one car has usually run the red light or the stop sign. If the accident happened at an unsigned intersection, a car usually has tried to cross or make a turn in the face of an oncoming vehicle. The driver either did not see the car, or miscalculated and thought they had the time to safely make it through the intersection. In other cases, the oncoming car was speeding, and the driver crossing through the intersection thought they had the time to make it across.
T-bone car crashes usually happen because one driver is:
- Reckless
- Intoxicated
- Impatient
- Distracted
- Speeding
- Careless
Determining Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident
Unlike a rear-end car accident, fault in a T-bone crash is uncertain. The general rule is that the car that did not have the right-of-way would be the one at fault for the crash. However, it can be difficult to know who was not where they were supposed to be at the time of the accident.
In a T-bone crash, the hope is that you would have witnesses who could testify about which car ran the stop sign or intersection. There are some times when there may be no witnesses. You may find yourself engaged in what is known as a “truth contest.” Each driver may have their own side of the story, and there is no way that both of them are telling the truth. You need to have evidence beyond just your word that convinces an insurance company to write a check or a jury to award you money.
How You Can Prove Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident
Your attorney would need to gather the proof that could help you win your case. There would be some extra investigation necessary to obtain evidence.
In addition to witness testimony, here is what your attorney could use to show that the other driver was at fault:
- Pictures of the scene of the accident
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert, who will use principles of math and physics to reach their own conclusion about who was at fault for the accident
- Dashcam or traffic camera footage that shows the crash
- The police report from the accident (which can only be used in an insurance claim but not in court as proof of responsibility)
Injuries in a T-Bone Car Crash
T-bone car accidents can cause serious injuries. For the driver that strikes the other vehicle with the front of their car, they will have an impact similar to a head-on crash. The other driver can also be seriously hurt, depending on where their car is struck. If they are hit on the driver’s side, they can sustain significant injuries. Some common T-bone car accident injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Lacerations
T-bone crashes can also cause death. Even though T-bone accidents comprise roughly 10% of the total number of car accidents, they are responsible for 20% of fatalities.
How You May Be Compensated After a T-Bone Car Accident
You would need to go through the legal process and show that the other driver was at fault before you could receive compensation for a T-bone accident. There are two possible ways to get a check for your accident injuries:
- Filing an insurance claim against the other driver’s police
- Filing a lawsuit against the driver in court
For either option, you would need to carry your burden of proof to show that the other driver was to blame. If you file an insurance claim, you would need to negotiate compensation with the insurance company. If you took your case to court, you would have to prove your damages to the jury. Your lawyer would determine how much you may be due after learning how you have personally been impacted by the crash.
Contact a T-Bone Accident Lawyer in Little Rock Today
T-bone crashes are far from a routine car accident, especially when it comes to seeking compensation. You would need an experienced attorney in your corner to help you make the strongest possible case.
The T-bone car accident lawyers at Denton & Zachary in Little Rock can deal with the insurance company on your behalf or take your case to court. You can speak with one of our lawyers during a free initial consultation. Call us today at 501-273-1695 or send us a message online to get started.