Motor vehicle accidents cannot only be physically traumatic, but they can also be mentally traumatic. To be injured in such a sudden, jarring way can stay with you for a long time. There are many different types of motor vehicle accidents, all with different potential risks for those involved. One such common type of accident is the T-bone accident. Often the result of failure to yield or simple complacency on a driver’s part, T-bone accidents put drivers and passengers at high risk for sustaining serious injuries.
Understand T-Bone Accidents
A T-bone accident, also referred to as a broadside accident, refers to a situation where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. Unlike front end collisions or rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents place a unique risk on those in the vehicle with the side impact. The sides of a vehicle are the thinnest and most vulnerable points. The driver and passenger on the side of impact have the potential to sustain critical, if not fatal, injuries as a result of impact.
Victims of T-bone accidents often sustain head injuries, spinal injuries, and broken bones. Glass from shattered windows can cause serious cuts. The danger of a T-Bone accident doesn’t end at first impact, as there is a high risk that your car may careen off in another direction, into oncoming traffic or other obstructions, such as guardrails or telephone poles. This places another serious risk of injury on the vehicle passengers. In some cases, the force of impact causes the vehicle to overturn. Overturned vehicles may even be knocked down a sloping shoulder of the road.
Broadside accidents most often happen at intersections. A driver may fail to stop at a traffic signal, or fail to yield the right of way to another driver. Other times, the at-fault driver makes a left turn at the intersection when it is unsafe to do so, placing oncoming vehicles at risk. The result can be the negligent driver plowing into the side of the other vehicle. While it is usually the driver who strikes the side of the other vehicle found to be at fault for causing the accident, it is not always the case. The other car may be found partially or totally at fault for a number of reasons. For instance, if they were running a red light, failing to yield right of way, or otherwise engaging in reckless driving, they may be held liable for the accident and thus may carry at least partial responsibility for compensating injured parties.
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have been injured in a T-bone accident, you may have sustained significant injuries. After experiencing the physical and mental trauma of being an accident injury victim, you can lean on the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Cooper Schall & Levy. We are here to provide you with legal support to help you recover full and fair compensation for your injuries and other losses. Contact us today.
