What Are T-Bone Accidents?

Being involved in any car accident can be traumatizing. However, there are few accidents more grave than a T-bone accident. A T-bone accident happens when the front of one car hits the side of another, forming a T shape. These accidents can cause serious injuries, and even if you are fortunate enough to walk away with minor physical injuries, the mental trauma you endure can last much longer.

What are some common causes of T-bone accidents?

The root cause of T-bone car accidents, also called side-impact accidents, is often driver negligence. When a driver decides to drink and drive or drive while distracted, these negligent actions can cause a serious accident like a T-bone collision. Some of the common causes of T-bone accidents include:

• Failing to yield. T-bone accidents often happen in intersections. Drivers can cause accidents when they run a red light or fail to yield the right of way at a four-way stop sign.
• Driving under the influence. Drivers who operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated lower their judgment and reasoning, two important skills involved in driving. Making dangerous decisions under the influence of a substance can cause a T-bone accident.
• Speeding. When drivers increase their speed, they reduce the possibility of reacting quickly to sudden changes in traffic. A driver who is speeding has limited time to react if a driver suddenly switches lanes or stops.
• Distracted driving or failure to notice other vehicles. T-bone accidents also often happen in parking lots. When drivers fail to notice the presence of other vehicles while backing out, a T-bone accident can easily occur.

How frequently do T-bone accidents happen?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2020, 5,475 people were killed in side-impact accidents across the country. Sadly, children are some of the people most at risk of dying in a T-bone accident. Even in SUVs, which are supposed to offer better protection for families, the number of T-bone accidents has increased from 31% to 51% over the past 20 years.

What are common injuries from T-bone accidents?

T-bone accidents can cause victims to suffer from serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries. The impact from the other driver’s vehicle can cause a driver or passenger to hit their head against a surface in the car. This abrupt blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury like a concussion, skull fracture, or a brain hemorrhage.
• Spinal cord injuries. The impact from a T-bone accident can also cause serious damage to a person’s spine. Victims can suffer serious injuries like a fractured or herniated disc, or partial or total paralysis.
• Internal bleeding. Victims in a T-bone accident can suffer significant injuries to their organs. Internal bleeding can occur without the victim realizing until it is too late.
• Broken bones. The impact can be so severe that victims suffer from fractured or broken bones. One of the most common body parts that are injured in these types of accidents are broken ribs.
• Soft tissue injuries. Victims of T-bone accidents can suffer serious soft tissue injuries like strains, sprains, and bruises.

Liability for T-bone accidents in Kansas City

After you or your loved one have been injured in a T-bone accident, you may be concerned about who to hold liable for your accident. There could be many liable parties, including the driver of the other vehicle as long as you had the right of way. If you were the one who was legally allowed to move, and another driver hits you, then the other driver should be held liable. If, however, you are hit by a driver when he or she has the right of way, then you may share liability with that other driver. It all depends on the circumstances of the crash.

As for the other liable parties, they can include:

• Car manufacturers. Other than the drivers, there are other parties who could share liability for your injuries. Another party is the car manufacturer. If the driver’s vehicle had a defect that caused him or her to crash into you, the car manufacturer could be held liable.
• Another driver who caused an accident. If you were T-boned in a multi-car crash, the driver who kicked off the chain of events may be held liable. In some cases, the other driver as well as the driver who hit you may share liability.
• A government entity. If the T-bone collision was the result of a road defect, like a broken traffic light, blind corner, or missing signage around road work, then the government may be liable. If this is the case, it is in your best interest to contact us as soon as possible, because the statute of limitations on these claims is different.

A driver’s or car manufacturer’s insurance company will fight to prove that their clients are not responsible for your accident and injuries. One way that the insurance companies of the drivers will attempt to avoid liability is by accusing you of being the at-fault driver of your accident. The insurance companies will argue that it was your own negligence that caused the accident instead of their clients’ actions. Fortunately, an experienced car accident lawyer can work to demonstrate the other party was at fault and should be held liable for your injuries and losses.

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we work hard to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve after a T-bone accident. Our car accident attorneys use a hands-on and thorough approach to help you seek compensation for your injuries, losses, and medical expenses. Call our office at 816-471-5111, or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment. We also serve clients in Lee’s Summit, St. Joseph and Parkville, MO as well as Overland Park and Olathe, KS by appointment only.