A T-bone accident is a side-collision accident in which the front end of one car collides with the side of another. These types of accidents are common in Florida and are particularly dangerous to passengers, as most cars have no protective equipment to protect a person from a side impact. Front airbags have been shown to provide significant protection in head-on collisions, but with a side collision, even if the airbag deploys, the bodies of the occupants will be whipped sideways rather than forward, causing severe twisting of bones and ligaments and often smashing heads into the side windows.
Side collisions are the cause of some of the most serious accident injuries for everyone in the vehicle, often proving to be life-altering or even fatal. If you or a loved one was injured in a T-bone accident, contact us right away. As a Florida personal injury attorney experienced in helping victims of auto accidents, I leave no stone unturned to help my clients receive the compensation they deserve.
Causes of T-bone accidents
Side-collision accidents can occur in a variety of situations, including:
- Intersections with traffic lights
- Intersections with stop signs
- Left-hand turns
- U-turns
- Exiting a parking lot
- One car turning to avoid a head-on collision
Any time one automobile passes through the right of way of another automobile, a T-bone accident could occur. A collision might occur due to a number of factors:
- Going through a red light or stop sign
- Speeding
- Turning left or making a U-turn in front of oncoming traffic
- Distracted driving or sleepy driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Automobile malfunction, for instance, the brakes stop working
- Bad weather obscuring the road lines or road signs
- Road debris or foliage creating obstacles on the road
- Poor road or sign maintenance causing driver confusion or swerving to avoid potholes
Proving fault and collecting compensation
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that after an accident, all parties involved need to file with their own insurance companies to receive coverage through the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage automobile insurance provides. As long as you have seen a medical professional within 14 days, PIP will cover up to $10,000 of accident-related medical expenses and lost wages.
However, medical bills resulting from a serious accident, especially a T-bone accident, often exceed $10,000. A personal injury lawyer experienced in automobile lawsuits can help you get the compensation you need for your current and future medical expenses and lost income in addition to your pain and suffering.
In my experience, every car accident is different, and I investigate every case thoroughly, looking for all possible causes and responsible parties. For instance, if you were hit by a driver crossing into your lane while you were lawfully entering an intersection, it is likely that the driver of the other vehicle is at fault. However, if the road signs were poorly marked, the municipality responsible for maintaining the road may also have to bear responsibility. We would then file suit against the other driver, their insurance, and the municipality.
If you feel that you were at least partly at fault, you might still want to sue for compensation because Florida follows a modified comparative negligence law. This means that fault can be distributed between the plaintiff and the defendant. As long as your share of responsibility for the accident was less than 50%, you can still be compensated. For instance, if you were found to be 30% at fault for the accident and were awarded $200,000, you would receive 70% of the award, or $140,000.
If I represent you in your t-bone accident claim, I will work vigorously to uncover every possible expense or complication to help you get the maximum settlement for your injuries. I will go to court if necessary, and I have a track record of winning significant awards. Contact me today from anywhere in Florida, 24/7, at (954) 448-7288, to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.