Often called “broadside accidents” or “right angle collisions,” T-bone crashes leave vehicle occupants at significant risk of injury. They are more likely to be fatal than front or rear-end collisions because a person’s sides of the car offer little to no protection from impact.
Drivers ignoring traffic signals and other risky behaviors are the leading causes of T-bone accidents. A Houston T-bone accident lawyer can help victims find the best legal options for compensation.
Don’t Underestimate the Speed of Traffic
When a car accident occurs from the front of one vehicle colliding with the side of another, it’s often referred to as a T-bone collision or broadside crash. This type of accident is more common than you might think and can be particularly dangerous, as cars have limited to no ability to absorb the force of a collision from the sides. It’s also important to note that T-bone accidents tend to produce more severe injuries than other types of crashes because of the position of impact.
T-bone accidents can occur when a driver fails to yield to oncoming traffic or turns too soon and crosses over into the path of other drivers. Drivers who run red lights and stop signs are also at a higher risk of being involved in a T-bone crash. These types of crashes can be catastrophic and result in severe injuries and fatalities.
Other causes of T-bone accidents include driving while impaired, following too closely, and distracted driving. When an accident is caused by one of these factors, it is essential to investigate the scene and identify all parties liable for damages. If a defect in the car’s brakes causes the accident, the car manufacturer and other supply chain members may be liable.
Injured in T-bone accidents often face expensive medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Contacting a T-bone accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash is crucial to ensure you get the maximum compensation. If you have PIP and MedPay coverage, these benefits could cover some of your medical expenses. In addition, if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, you could pursue a claim against them.
Don’t Be Afraid to Stop
A T-bone accident is a crash in which one vehicle slams into the side of another. This type of collision can be hazardous, mainly because the sides of cars do not offer much protection from impact compared to the front and rear of vehicles. The victims of T-bone accidents often sustain serious injuries that may require long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
Many T-bone accidents occur because a driver fails to stop at a four-way intersection. All drivers need to understand why this is a dangerous and illegal practice. Drivers who roll through stops are telling other drivers they can ignore the law and their responsibility to navigate through intersections safely.
This is particularly dangerous in poor weather conditions when road surfaces or visibility might make it difficult for drivers to see each other coming from the sides. Even in good conditions, it is still important to slow down or come to a complete stop when necessary to ensure that other motorists have sufficient time and distance to proceed safely.
It is also essential for drivers to follow traffic signals and never assume that they have the right of way. Drivers should always come to a complete stop when approaching a red light and only enter an intersection once they have been given visual confirmation that it is safe.
Determining fault in a T-bone accident can sometimes be challenging. Eyewitness accounts and physical evidence from the crash scene can help a lawyer reconstruct the accident and determine who should be responsible. However, in some cases, both drivers in a T-bone accident may be found to be partially at fault. This is because Texas follows modified comparative fault laws.
Stay in Your Lane
When someone says, “Stay in your lane,” they usually refer to keeping within one’s responsibilities and not crossing into those of others. It can apply to several situations, from driving on a highway to working in the workplace. The main point is that finding and focusing on your highest and best use of time or lane is essential. If you don’t, you will be a danger to yourself and those around you.
It is common for people to swerve into other’s lanes on the road. This is dangerous and can lead to a deadly accident. For example, if you drive in the fast lane and another driver begins to speed up, you may veer into their lane. This could cause a head-on collision and severe injuries.
Don’t Drive Distracted
T-bone accidents are a type of car accident in which the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another. These accidents can result in severe injuries and property damage, and they are often deadly. T-bone accidents are often the result of negligence on the part of either driver, and they can cause serious long-term effects for both victims and their families.
Some drivers may avoid T-bone accidents by simply ensuring they always pay attention. However, many people drive while distracted, including any activity that takes your focus off the road and onto something else. This could be texting, talking to other passengers, reaching for items, using the stereo or entertainment system, eating, etc.
Driving distracted can lead to many problems, which is hazardous in intersections where drivers attempt to turn or cross traffic lanes. It is also more likely to cause an accident if you are operating a larger vehicle such as a truck or bus. You must be even more careful in these situations since a larger vehicle has more mass and can travel at higher speeds.
Another common reason for T-bone accidents is when a driver fails to yield the right of way. This can include failing to come to a complete stop at a stop light or stop sign, pulling out in front of oncoming traffic, or turning left without giving enough space to other vehicles.
When a T-bone accident occurs, it can be challenging to determine who is at fault. However, if you can show that the at-fault driver breached their duty of care to other motorists by engaging in negligent conduct, you should be entitled to compensation for your losses. If you are injured in a T-bone accident, it is essential to consult a Houston personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You may receive financial compensation for your losses, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In addition, you may be eligible for compensation for wrongful death damages in the case of a fatal crash.
