Maine car accident lawyers explain what drivers need to know about side-impact crashes.
Some of the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents involve one vehicle crashing into another vehicle from the side. But what exactly is a T-bone accident? Why do they happen? Who's at fault? And how much are such accident claims worth?
Below, you can learn more about T-bone accidents and how the compensation system works in Maine. The Maine car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein know all about these accidents because we have been helping injury victims throughout the state deal with serious collisions for years. If you or someone you care about was injured in an accident in Maine, contact us today to review your potential options for compensation.
What is a T-bone accident?
As the name suggests, a T-bone accident involves the front of one car hitting the side of another car and forming a T shape. Sometimes referred to as broadside accidents or side impact collisions, T-bone accidents are one of the most common types of collisions on the road. T-bone collisions kill approximately 8,000 people in the United States each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Side-impact crashes are the most deadly for children, and over the last 20 years, deaths from side-impact collisions have increased by 20%.
Common causes of side-impact crashes
Many T-bone accidents occur at intersections because one driver doesn't obey the rules of the road. Specifically, these intersection accidents often happen for the following reasons:
- A reckless driver runs a red light or doesn't stop at a stop sign.
- A speeding driver races through an intersection.
- A distracted driver, especially a texting driver, doesn't realize there's an intersection ahead.
- A drunk driver doesn't recognize they're driving through an intersection.
- A drowsy driver falls asleep at the wheel and drives through a red light or stop sign.
What are common T-bone accident injuries?
The driver and passengers in the vehicle struck by another car in a T-bone collision can sustain a wide range of injuries, including:
- Facial injuries, including cuts to the face and skull fractures.
- Broken bones and bone fractures.
- Head injuries, including concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding.
- Back injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
Broadside collisions can be serious or fatal. Remember, the only protection a driver or passenger has in a right-angle crash is the vehicle's door and door glass, which aren't as reinforced as the front or rear of a vehicle.
Who is usually at fault in a side-impact crash?
As explained above, the driver who broke the law is usually the at-fault party. Often, this is the driver who drives into the side of another vehicle. However, in some cases, the vehicle T-boned by another car may be at fault. For example, if a driver runs a red light, they might be hit on the side of the car by another vehicle legally driving through the intersection.
This might seem straightforward. But the at-fault driver and their insurance company will often do everything they can to deny responsibility.
How much is my car accident claim worth?
There's no set dollar amount for T-bone accident claims or lawsuits. Often, it's whatever amount an insurance company agrees to pay in the form of a settlement or how much money a jury awards in the case of a T-bone accident lawsuit. The bottom line is you should be financially compensated for all your accident expenses, including:
- All medical bills, including the cost of all future anticipated medical procedures.
- Repairing your damaged vehicle or purchasing a new one.
- Support services, including in-home care or assistance cleaning your house if you sustained a disability in your accident that prevents you from doing this work.
- Replacement income if you need to stay home from work and rest due to injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.
Add all these expenses up, and your T-bone accident can easily be worth thousands or more. The key is to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer who can calculate the total cost of your losses and advocate for the compensation you're entitled to under the law.
Let our award-winning attorneys fight for you.
If you have been involved in a T-bone accident caused by another driver in Maine, one of the most important things you need to understand is you often only have one opportunity to get the money you deserve for a lifetime's worth of expenses. Once you accept a settlement offer or a jury verdict is awarded, that's it. You cannot ask for more money in the future.
This is why you need an experienced attorney on your side, demanding the maximum financial compensation you rightfully deserve. That's our job. And the Maine car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein will fight for every dollar you deserve. We also offer legal representation to personal injury victims on a contingency fee basis. That means no upfront money is required, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. It's that simple.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. We have seven offices conveniently located throughout Maine.
