T-bone collisions are among the most devastating of all types of crashes. The way vehicles collide almost ensures the injuries sustained will be severe or even fatal.
Below, Roden Law discusses more about T-bone car crashes, including how they occur, the types of injuries they cause and who may be liable.
Were you injured in a T-bone crash caused by another’s negligence? If so, our car accident lawyers in Savannah are prepared to help. We have been advocating for crash victims in Georgia for decades, recovering millions in compensation on our clients’ behalf.
Not sure if you have a case? Call our law offices today to discuss your situation and learn about your potential legal options. This meeting is completely free.
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How Do T-Bone Car Crashes Happen?
A T-bone collision occurs when the front side of one vehicle collides with the side of another.
Driver negligence, reckless behavior and errors often factor into these crashes. Some of the other reasons these crashes occur include:
- Distracted driving behaviors, including texting and driving, eating, drinking and more
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and other legal or illegal substances
- Driver zoning out behind the wheel, such as when driving on familiar routes
- Failing to obey red lights, stop signs and other traffic signals
- Misjudging another vehicle’s speed, such as trying to turn to beat oncoming traffic
- Speeding through an intersection to beat a red light
What Factors May Determine Liability for a T-Bone Crash?
The T-boning driver is often assumed to be the at-fault party; however, this may not always be the case. The fact is fault for most types of collisions is rarely straightforward. Each case has its own set of unique events and contributing factors.
Regardless of the type of accident, your attorney will need to prove the other party was at fault in some way. If there is no negligence, then there is no case. An argument for negligence in a T-bone crash claim would be as follows:
- The driver who T-boned your vehicle, like every driver, owed a legal duty of care to take reasonable action to prevent causing you harm.
- The T-boning driver violated that legal duty by running a red light and subsequently hitting your car.
- You suffered injuries and damages, such as medical costs, lost wages and other losses.
In other words, but for that driver’s failure to obey the traffic light, the crash would not have occurred, your vehicle would not have been hit, and you would not have suffered injuries and other losses.
Can I Seek Compensation for Damages After a T-Bone Crash?
You may be able to recover compensation, however, an attorney will need to review the circumstances of how your crash occurred. There may be many factors that impact who caused the crash and who is therefore liable for the damages. If you have a case, you may be able to recover these and other damages:
- Medical costs
- Diagnostic testing
- Emergency room treatment
- Physical therapy
- Pain and suffering damages, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- And more
How Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule Could Impact Your Claim
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. What this means for car crash victims is that even if you are partially at fault for a collision, you may still have a case.
As long as you are less than 50 percent at fault (no more than 49 percent), you may still be eligible to recover a portion of your damages. However, it is important to note that your percentage of fault will be reduced from any compensation awarded through a settlement or jury-awarded verdict.
If you are 50 percent or more at-fault, you will not be able to recover compensation for your damages.
Injuries Often Caused by T-Bone Collisions
T-bone collisions can result in many kinds of injuries. Some may be minor, but others can have devastating long-term or even permanent effects on someone’s health and quality of life.
Some of the most common injuries resulting from T-bone crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): TBIs result from a blow to your head or violent shaking of your brain. If your vehicle sustains a side-impact, as it would in a T-bone crash, it could cause you to hit your head against the window or door. The impact of this trauma could cause a severe head injury, such as a TBI. Some TBIs can leave victims with reduced cognitive abilities, damaged motor skills and emotional trauma.
- Internal bleeding/internal organ damage: If your vehicle gets broadsided by another vehicle, there is a lot less vehicle strength to physically protect you. The impact, because of how close it is, can cause you to suffer internal damage to your organs or internal bleeding.
- Spinal cord injuries: Side-impact crashes could cause you to suffer a slipped or herniated disc. More severe spinal cord damage may occur in a T-bone crash as well, such as a fractured vertebrae. In the worst situation, crash victims could end up partially or fully paralyzed. Individuals with spinal cord injuries often have a host of other secondary complications resulting from the original injury.
- Multiple fractures: Getting hit in the side of a vehicle greatly increases the risk of catastrophic injuries. Victims sitting closest to the impact may suffer multiple and severe broken bones in their arms, legs, face or other areas.
- Serious lacerations: Striking your head, face or other body parts against glass, pieces of metal or other debris could cause deep lacerations that may leave victims severely scarred and disfigured.
- Abdominal/pelvic/chest injuries: Studies show that about 50 percent of victims injured in T-bone crashes suffer blunt force trauma to the chest or abdomen. In the chest area, the primary damage could be to the thoracic aorta, spleen and heart, while the abdomen could suffer internal lacerations, or tearing or perforations of the intestinal wall.
Injured in a T-Bone Crash in Savannah? Call Roden Law for Legal Help Today
At Roden Law, we are deeply committed to helping you navigate the challenges of a legal claim after a crash. This is not something you need to face alone. We have the staff and resources to help you pursue the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Worried about the cost of getting legal help? Our law firm accepts personal injury cases, including car crash claims, on contingency. This approach helps to level the legal playing field, so you do not have to pay any upfront costs. We only get paid our fee if we are successful in winning your case.