A T bone collision is one you would never wish to find yourself in. You’ve probably seen it depicted in the movies and on TV many times. The driver gets distracted for a second and in the blink of an eye, headlights are barreling towards them. As horrifying as those scenes may be to watch, they’re no match for the terror that comes with a real-life scenario. In this post, we’ll further explain a T bone accident and who is often at fault for one.
At Gordon & Gordon Law Firm, we know how scary car accidents can be for you, let alone a T bone collision. If you or a loved one received injuries in one of these accidents, see how our attorneys can help you.
What Does T Boned Mean?
You might hear a T bone accident also referred to as a side impact or angular collision. It occurs when the front end of one car strikes another from the side. It may be either the passenger side or drivers side that gets hit.
The reason this type of collision gets called a “T bone” is because of the way the cars align when they collide. At the moment of impact, they almost create a sort of “T” shape. One car represents the horizontal top of the T and the other car the vertical line.
What Is A T Bone Car Accident?
A T bone car accident generally occurs when one driver does not give the other driver the right of way. Most T bone accidents occur at an intersection where one of the two cars does not stop when they’re meant to. Depending on the flow of traffic, the person who runs a red light or stop sign may either be the one T boning someone or the one getting T boned themselves.
T bone car accidents are among the most catastrophic of all traffic accidents. Of the different kinds of road accidents, a T bone collision often results in the severest of injuries and fatalities. The reason T bone car accidents are so dangerous is due to the lack of a barrier between one vehicle and the person within the other.
With a rear end or head on collision, the front hood or trunk of the car generally offers some degree of protection. When struck from the side, the person only has a door and a window placed between them and the impact.
What Type Of Injury Is Commonly Associated With T Bone Accidents?
T bone accidents bring a serious variety of injuries, a lot of which can prove to be fatal. In most of these types of accidents, the driver and/or passengers in the car that gets hit from the side suffer more harm than the opposing driver. This is because the other vehicle will have more safety features to protect them in their head-on collision, like airbags and crumple zones. All that stands between the other driver is the mere inches of width on the car’s side panel.
This lack of protection from the side often makes T bone accident injuries critical. Types of injury associated with T bone accidents include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma/brain injury
- Crushed and potentially amputated limbs
- Orthopedic injuries
- Internal injuries
If these injuries do not prove to be fatal, they still bring with them both physical and emotional trauma. While recovering from this, extensive financial burdens can accumulate. This can place significant stress on any individual. This is the reason it is so crucial to have experienced representation in the court of law. A good Shreveport personal injury attorney like those at Gordon & Gordon can help to ensure you receive the compensation you need to successfully recover.
Who Is At Fault In A Car Accident Tbone?
Though it is often assumed that the driver who T bones another vehicle is at fault, this isn’t always the case. Either party may be responsible for the accident. The blame might also get split between the two parties. Say one driver didn’t give the right away to the correct person. They’re definitely at fault, but if the other person broke the law or was driving distracted, they may be at equal or partial fault.
Road engineers and designers could also be liable if the scene of the accident had the following:
- Poor sight lines
- Inappropriate signs or signals
- Confusing layout
In the case that the vehicle itself malfunctioned, automotive parts manufacturers may also be at fault if you can prove liability on their part.
To determine fault requires evidence. Evidence can be in the form of photographs, police reports, or eyewitness accounts. That is why car accident attorneys often stress the importance of taking pictures at the scene of the accident soon after its occurrence. If you’re able to, include several angles of the collision as well as any damage done to both vehicles.
When the police write their report at the scene, they’ll provide details of any broken driving laws that might’ve contributed to the accident.
When crafting a solid accident claim, you need to prove more than that the driver was negligent. You need to prove that because of that negligence, an accident resulted that in turn resulted in someone receiving injuries. Further, you (your attorney) should be able to prove that the injury led to you suffering serious financial damages.
Evidence for this may come in the form of medical bills or a pay stub that shows what you generally earn and how much of those earnings you lost while recovering.
Avoid A T Bone Collision
At Gordon & Gordon, we’ve seen our hand of bad car accidents. We urge you to take the proper precautions to remain safe on the road. While there’s no way to control other drivers, you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself from accidents like a T bone collision.
The first most obvious way to avoid a T bone collision is to obey traffic lights and signs. This especially applies to when you’re approaching intersections. Make full and complete stops at stop signs and slow down at yellow lights instead of speeding up.
When turning left on a green light, make sure you take the time to yield. Check and make sure there is no oncoming traffic before assuming it’s safe to go. That goes with any situation, really.
When driving, you should never assume that other drivers are going to be following traffic laws. This may sound distrustful, but it will make you more aware of your own driving and surroundings.
Lastly, take extra precautions on days when visibility is poor due to weather conditions. Be prepared to make any sudden stops, especially when encroaching on an intersection.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one received injuries in a T bone collision, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. Do not speak with an insurance company investigator or adjuster before you’ve had the chance to get a lawyer. Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Gordon & Gordon have been helping Louisiana car accident injury victims with their claims for over 20 years. Call our Shreveport, Bossier, or Mansfield personal injury law office today at 318-716-HELP to schedule your free consultation.