Columbus, OH, car accident lawyers explain how the legal process works.
T-bone accidents are among the most serious types of car accidents. But what exactly is a T-bone accident? Why do they happen? Who’s at fault? And who’s responsible for paying injury victims for their accident-related expenses?
These are all important questions. That’s why it’s critical that injury victims understand their rights if they have been hurt in a T-bone accident caused by another driver. If you were injured in a broadside crash in Ohio, contact us today for a free consultation. The experienced Columbus car accident attorneys at the Gervelis Law Firm can answer your questions and review your potential legal options.
What is a T-bone accident?
A T-bone accident involves the front of one car hitting the side of another car, forming a "T" shape. Sometimes referred to as side-impact collisions or broadside accidents, T-bone accidents often result in severe injuries for the occupants of the vehicle hit from the side.
Each year, an estimated 8,000 T-bone accidents occur nationwide, according to accident statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s nearly one T-bone accident every hour of every day.
Why do T-bone accidents happen?
T-bone accidents often occur at intersections because some drivers fail to follow the rules of the road or drive recklessly. Common causes of T-bone accidents include:
- A speeding driver runs a red light and crashes head-on into the side of another car.
- A texting driver does not stop at a four-way intersection, runs a red light, hits another car, or gets hit by another driver.
- A reckless driver illegally drives through an intersection and gets hit by another car.
- A drunk driver gets hit or hits another car while driving through an intersection without stopping.
- A tired driver does not stop at an intersection, hits another car, or gets hit in the side by another vehicle.
Common T-bone accident injuries
In a T-bone accident, the people inside the car hit from the side are only protected by the vehicle's frame and doors. As such, it's common for side-impact crash victims to suffer severe or fatal injuries, especially if the car lacks side airbags.
Injuries can cover a wide range, including:
- Head injuries, including concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Facial injuries, including cuts to the face and skull fractures.
- Back injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones or bone fractures.
- Internal injuries, including organ damage or internal bleeding.
Many T-bone accident injuries are severe and require extensive medical care, including surgery, follow-up medical treatments, and physical therapy. Medical expenses can add up fast. That’s why injury victims must demand the financial compensation they rightfully deserve.
Who’s at fault in a T-bone accident?
The at-fault party in a T-bone accident is often the driver who fails to follow the traffic laws that apply in a particular situation. For example, if a driver runs a red light at an intersection and T-bones another car or gets hit on the side by another vehicle legally driving through the intersection, the driver that did not stop at the red light would be the at-fault driver.
This might seem straightforward. But don’t be surprised if the driver who caused your T-bone accident denies doing anything wrong. The other driver might try to claim that you somehow caused the broadside accident. That’s why you need a lawyer to investigate your T-bone collision, find the facts that matter, and build a strong case in support of the compensation you're entitled to under Ohio law.
How can a Columbus, OH, car accident attorney help?
Your T-bone accident-related expenses can quickly add up to thousands of dollars or significantly more. And if you don’t fight for the money you deserve, you could have to pay for your own accident, even if another driver was clearly at fault.
That’s not right. That’s why we want to help. The experienced Columbus, OH, car accident attorneys at the Gervelis Law Firm can work with you to build a successful legal case. We know what evidence to look for and what questions to ask. That’s why we have a strong track record of results.
Learn more about your legal rights. Contact our law firm and schedule a free case consultation to see how we can help you. We have five offices conveniently located throughout Ohio, including Columbus and Toledo.