A T-bone car accident is so named because of the image formed by colliding vehicles at the point of impact. In a T-bone car accident, a vehicle crashes head-on with the side of another automobile. Also called a side-impact collision, T-bone car accident occurrences form a “T” shape upon impact. This type of accident can be dangerous and is usually due to a driver’s negligence.
A T-bone car accident can happen at intersections in many instances, especially when one driver fails to yield to another. Side-impact accidents can also happen at other points on the highway, especially when drivers try to make a turn. T-bone crashes are a common type of accident in parking lots when a driver makes an error in judgment.
You need a Clarkdale personal injury lawyer to get compensation for your injuries in a T-bone accident. However, that will still not be possible without finding out who’s at fault in the crash. We’ll show you how in this article.
How Dangerous Is a T-Bone Motor Vehicle Crash?
The severity of an automobile accident usually depends on how forceful the impact was. Generally, however, T-bone accidents are one of the most dangerous types of motor vehicle collisions ever. They usually cause more devastating injuries to the victims than rear-end or head-on collisions with equal force on impact. In worse cases, they can be life-threatening, especially where the speed of the accident was very high.
The most common types of injuries from a side-impact collision include traumatic brain injuries and lacerations. Many victims also complain of whiplash, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, etc. Usually, persons on the side of the vehicle at the point of impact are the worst hit. That’s because their only protection is the side glass window or door that is easily penetrated, especially by large vehicles.
How Can I Determine Liability?
Many people think that the driver who collided with the other car is always liable for a T-bone collision. However, that isn’t always the case. The other vehicle may be at fault in some instances too.
Many scenarios can lead to a side-impact accident. So, there’s no fool-proof way of determining responsibility in such accidents. That’s why it’s always essential to have a qualified attorney look into your case. In Clarkdale, under the comparative negligence rule, both drivers may be responsible for the accident too.
Under Georgia’s personal injury law, a person would be liable for a T-bone collision if such a person:
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Owes a Duty of Care
In Clarkdale, GA, it’s every motorists’ responsibility to use the road in a way that keeps everyone safe. That responsibility is made mandatory by law and is called the duty of care. It includes obeying traffic laws like not speeding, paying attention while driving, etc. In some cases, the duty of care can mean taking a quick rational decision to avert danger when you can.
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Breached Such Duty of Care
Did the driver breach their duty of care or not? That’s one crucial question to ask when determining liability. For a driver to be responsible for an accident, they must have acted contrary to the duty of care. For example, it could be by breaking a traffic law or intentionally causing harm.
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Caused the Claimant’s Injuries as a Result of the Breach
If the driver breached a duty of care, the next question is if such negligence caused your injuries. For the driver to be responsible, the car accident and nothing else must have caused your injury.
The criteria above are mutually inclusive. However, they must exist together for a negligent driver to bear liability in a T-bone car accident.
What Do I Need To Prove the Negligent Driver’s Fault?
Determining who the at-fault party is in a T-bone car accident is one thing. Proving your claims is another ball game entirely. Nevertheless, you must do both to get compensation.
To prove that the negligent party is at fault, you’d need a combination of any of these:
- Police report
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Witness testimonies
- Medical records
Hire an Experienced Clarkdale Car Accident Lawyer Immediately!
T-bone or side-impact collisions do the most damage when compared to other types of car crashes. If you’ve suffered injuries from such an accident, you deserve fair compensation for your pain. Our Clarkdale car accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm can help you fight for your rights.
We will ensure that you entirely focus on your recovery while we handle your compensation claim. In addition, we assure you of the best quality legal services you can get nowhere else when we handle your case. Contact us for a free consultation immediately.