T-bone crashes most frequently occur at intersections and typically lead to more serious injuries because there is less protection for drivers compared to other types of car accidents like head-on or rear-end collisions.
In many side-impact collisions, the force of the wreck causes the broadsided vehicle to be pushed sideways and into a second crash with oncoming traffic, guardrails, or telephone poles. Depending on the force of the impact, a T-boned vehicle may even roll over entirely. Side-impact accidents almost always result in major vehicle damage and serious injuries, or even death.
T-bone accidents are one of the most dangerous types of car crashes that can occur. These accidents arise when the front of one vehicle strikes the driver or passenger side, creating what looks like a “T” formation. In some cases, these collisions can also result in a secondary accident by causing the struck car to spin out of control and hit a guard rail or a third vehicle. Also sometimes called a side impact or broadside collision, these crashes are responsible for roughly one-quarter of all passenger vehicle fatalities. If you’ve suffered injuries in a T-bone accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation.
Negligent drivers are nearly always the cause of T-bone or broadside collisions. This commonly includes speeding, switching lanes erratically or unexpectedly, not following traffic signs, signals, lights, distracted driving such as texting or calling on a cellphone, and many other unsafe driving tactics. Most side collisions happen at intersections, when another car fails to yield, runs a red light, or crashes into a turning vehicle.
T-Bone Accident Common Injuries
Many modern cars and trucks come with steel side-impact bars and side airbags to help protect vehicle occupants in the event of a T-bone collision. However, while these safety features help reduce side-impact crash injuries and save lives, they can only do so much when all that separates a driver or passenger from direct impact with a moving vehicle is a thin sheet of metal that makes up the car door.
Injuries experienced by victims of T-bone collisions are commonly catastrophic and include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back/neck injuries
- Amputation/disfigurement
- Wrongful death
- Broken bones and fractures
- Chest trauma
- Shattered ribs
The injuries resulting from T-bone wrecks are usually more severe than sideswipe accidents when two vehicles driving next to each other, traveling in the same direction, contact one another on the sides (i.e., unsafely switching lanes or carelessly drifting into another car).
If you’ve been the victim of a side-impact collision, we recommend hiring a Norcross lawyer to prove fault and ensure you get the full compensation you are owed. By launching a thorough investigation into traffic cameras, photographs, eyewitness stories, skid marks, and other evidence found at the scene, our skilled team can guarantee the best possible outcome in your case and fight to give you the personal attention you deserve.