T-Bone accidents, or car accidents in which the front of one car collides with the side of another car, usually at an intersection, can be incredibly dangerous for all parties and even pedestrians. Whether a right of way issue, driver negligence, or road design, these collisions can have fatal consequences that can alter the lives of all parties. T-Bone accidents, similar to other types of accidents, require expert St. Louis car injury lawyers to review all available evidence and witness statements as these collisions are infamously hard to determine the driver at fault, but not impossible.
How Do T-Bone Collisions Happen?
Just like many other types of collisions, T-Bone collisions can occur due to driver negligence. Speeding, running a red light, and driving under the influence are all preventable causes of accidents. Whether it is not coming to a stop at an intersection due to high speed or intentionally running a stop sign or red light, the risk of a collision is incredibly high. For drivers, it is important to note the speed limit and to abide by this law – even if some roads do not have signage for speed limits, most map apps will note this and even display it on your car’s navigation screen. Awareness of your surroundings is key, but personal awareness is necessary. Accidents due to driving under the influence are 100% preventable and present a real danger to all drivers around you. With all states having a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher constituting a DUI, it is imperative to have a designated driver in each car. Some other common causes of T-Bone collisions include road design or engineering, such that incomplete signage or poor sight lines can lead to drivers, without negligence, colliding. Lastly, vehicle part defects are possible and can cause or contribute to an accident. It is important to keep an eye out for malfunctions in your vehicle and stay updated on recalled parts.
Injuries from T-Bone Collisions
Due to the traumatic collision in T-Bone accidents, serious injuries are possible for all passengers in the vehicles. Commonly, passengers experience brain, neck, and spinal cord injuries which can lead to paralysis, intense bleeds, and death, and crushed and amputated limbs. Those not wearing a seatbelt can easily be ejected from the vehicle, which is almost always fatal. Speed is a large factor in the severity of injuries, so it is crucial for drivers to adhere to speed limits and carefully follow proper signage and lights.
Who is at Fault in a T-Bone Accident?
Witness, passenger, and driver statements account for much of the evidence in T-Bone collisions, but experienced attorneys also investigate the road design, signage, and road conditions at the time of the accident. There are situations where the driver, a third party driver, the car manufacturer, or the road engineer and/or designer are solely at fault, but many times there is comparative fault on multiple parties, meaning some or all parties contributed in some way to the collision. For example, a driver running a red light will have most of the fault, but the other driver in the collision, by not having situational awareness, is also at fault for driving into the intersection when the other car was not obviously stopping. While it may be a small amount of fault, it is crucial to have an attorney that can explain and advocate for you at the highest standard.
Conclusion
T-Bone accidents can be extremely traumatizing for all parties involved and it takes an attorney who is an expert in the field to properly litigate these cases. If you or a loved one has been in a T-Bone accident, the T-Bone collision attorneys at The Simon Law Firm, P.C. are ready to investigate your claim, determine who was at fault, and stand by you through litigation to bring you justice and closure. Please contact The Simon Law Firm, P.C. today if you have had a T-Bone collision for a free, confidential consultation.
