A T-bone accident occurs when the front of one vehicle collides against the side of another, forming the shape of a “T” at the point of impact. 

A T-bone accident is also called a side-impact collision or a broadside crash

T-bone accidents account for thirteen percent of all car accidents in the United States. Twenty-four percent of driver or passenger vehicle occupant deaths occur in T-bone accidents. 

Due to the speed and impact of these kinds of collisions, victims often sustain life-altering injuries. Victims of T-bone accidents are only separated from the colliding vehicle by a thin metal door and glass window. The window can shatter on impact, showering the victim in shards of glass, and the thin metal sheet of a car door can crumple like paper. 

T-bone accidents in Louisiana frequently occur in intersections when motorists change lanes suddenly or ignore stop lights or signs. In T-bone accidents, one or more vehicles can get pushed into oncoming traffic. Occupants of a car involved in this type of accident are at an extreme risk of further collision, whether hitting a guardrail or other vehicles or leaving the roadway. It’s widespread for T-bone crashes to result in rollovers.

The aftermath of a T-bone accident tends to be more deadly and devastating than other car accidents. The costs of medical care associated with treatment will likely be very high. Individuals injured due to such collisions may be unable to return to work for several weeks or months, if ever.

Causes Of T-bone Accidents

T-bone collisions are among the deadliest kinds of auto accidents due to the violent, direct nature of the crash.

The most common cause of a T-bone accident is negligence, usually when the other driver fails to yield the right-of-way at a traffic light or stop sign. Other reasons might include:

· Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

· Switching lanes unpredictably.

· Distracted driving, either by a phone or other passengers.

· Speeding or driving aggressively. 

· Failing to stop at four-way intersections. 

· Malfunctioning traffic signals. 

· Unsafe road/intersection design. 

· Inadequate vehicle maintenance.

· Vehicle defects, especially involving tires and brakes. 

· Inclement weather. 

Common T-Bone Collision Injuries

Because T-Bone accidents are often severe, the types of injuries victims sustain are also more devastating.

Some of the most common include:

· Brain injury. 

· Head and neck injuries. 

· Back injuries. 

· Pelvic injuries. 

· Abdominal injuries. 

· Chest injuries. 

· Spinal cord injury. 

· Organ damage. 

· Bone fractures. 

· Burns. 

· Lacerations. 

· Whiplash. 

· Herniated discs. 

· Strains and strains. 

· Pinched nerves. 

The factors that impact the extent of injuries include the speeds at which the collision took place, the impact angle, the size and type of vehicles involved, the presence of airbags, and the use of seatbelts. Many of these injuries have lifelong consequences. Sometimes, they are fatal.

Injuries resulting from a T-bone collision are generally life-altering, and victims and their loved ones will need representation by an experienced car accident lawyer who will fight for the settlement they need and deserve.

Determining Fault In A T-bone Accident

Fault in a T-bone accident is determined based on the specific facts of the collision. 

Fault in a T-bone accident depends on which car had the right of way. Both vehicles cannot have the right of way at once. The car that violates the right of way of the other driver is at fault. 

Most T-bone collisions happen when a motorist fails to yield to another driver with the right-of-way. If the driver made an illegal turn and slammed into the side of a car going straight, that motorist would be to blame. On the other hand, a driver injured while going through a red light would be at fault for not obeying traffic laws. 

In most cases, the at-fault refutes liability. The evidence you should gather should include: 

· A copy of the police report. 

· Photographs of your injuries. 

· Your medical records and bills. 

· Witness statements. 

· Video footage from any surveillance or security cameras. 

· Breath/blood/urine test results of at-fault drivers. 

· Dashcam footage. 

· Cell phone records of at-fault drivers. 

· Post-accident vehicle inspection reports. 

· Accident reconstruction expert reports.

In Louisiana, multiple parties may share fault in a T-bone accident under the principle of comparative fault. These parties may include either one of the drivers in the crash, the vehicle manufacturer, or another driver not involved in the collision itself but whose actions caused another driver to T-bone a vehicle. 

A plaintiff who brings a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver must prove that the other driver’s negligence was the direct cause of the T-bone collision. Hiring an experienced Louisiana car accident lawyer makes this process easier.

Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers: Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyers Who Bring More Than Compensation To Script Your Comeback Story

If you are a victim of a T-bone accident, there is no one you need by your side more than a personal injury lawyer, besides maybe a doctor. But not all personal injury lawyers are the same. Some lawyers focus on finalizing settlements as quickly as possible. Other lawyers are willing to go to trial to push for the maximum compensation possible, which is in the best interest of their clients.

You want a lawyer to help you recover as much compensation as possible. At Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers, we help you do just that. 

At our Louisiana personal injury law firm, we begin preparing for trial when we meet with a client. Louisiana personal injury attorney Bart Bernard knows that effective representation often requires leaving the comfort of one’s office. Sometimes, that means traveling to an intersection where a T-bone accident occurred to investigate the collision thoroughly. 

Superior preparation has been the hallmark of attorney Bernard’s flourishing personal injury practice for over two and half decades. 

If someone else’s carelessness or disregard for safety caused your T-bone car accident injuries in Louisiana, you can seek fair and just compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses. An experienced Louisiana car accident attorney at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers can explain your legal options and demand the money you need from the at-fault driver and their insurance company.

Call today for a free consultation with our firm’s experienced Louisiana T-bone accident attorney.