T-bone car accidents occur when the front of a vehicle collides with the side of another in a ‘T’ shape. Most of these side-impact collisions involve someone failing to yield to the driver with the right of way. Unfortunately, the result can leave Atlanta residents with severe and catastrophic injuries. An Atlanta automobile accident attorney can help protect your rights if you are hurt in a side collision.
Several reasons can be attributed to T-bone car accidents. For example, a bad judgment call at a green light, disregarding traffic signals, distracted driving, etc. In addition, these collisions can occur at intersections, highways, parking lots, etc. Regardless of the crash, injured victims have a right to recover compensation from the responsible party.
After a T-bone car accident, it is not always obvious who was at fault. Several parties can share responsibility, including the driver, vehicle manufacturer, etc., so gathering evidence is crucial in proving your case. Ultimately, having a lawyer by your side can make a big difference in the outcome of your injury claim.
Building Your Personal Injury Claim After a T-bone Car Accident
Your legal rights to compensatory damages after a T-bone car accident depend on the circumstance of the crash. When a negligent driver causes you injuries and losses, their auto insurance company should cover the damages. As the injured motorist, you can file a personal injury claim with the insurer or file a lawsuit in court.
However, you must determine the negligent driver’s liability before filing your claim. Building a solid injury claim is not easy. A successful accident claim does not just demonstrate that the other driver was negligent. With the help of an automobile accident lawyer, you must prove these key elements:
- That the other driver owed you a duty of care
- That the driver breached their duty of care
- That the breached duty led to the accident which caused your injuries
- That you suffered substantial financial damages because of the accident.
An Atlanta Automobile Accident Attorney Explains Proving Liability in a T-Bone Car Accident
Again, establishing fault against an at-fault party in a T-bone car accident can be complicated. Sometimes, driver error can be obvious based on how the crash happened. If you are lucky, the other driver may admit fault. However, in most T-bone car accidents, the driver will claim they had the right of way and that you were at fault.
Therefore, in a T-bone car accident, fault is determined by which vehicle had the right of way to move forward. When both parties claim they had the right of way, it comes down to whose account sounds credible. This is why it is crucial to gather evidence to support your case.
Some of the most valuable evidence that establishes fault is gathered at the crash scene. Other valuable evidence can be your paychecks to show your lost wages, medical bills, or witness accounts of how the crash impacted your life.
Below are crucial steps in gathering evidence to prove fault in a T-bone car accident.
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Call the Police
You should call the police immediately for assistance. It does not matter whether the collision is minor or severe. When officers arrive at the scene, explain the event that led to the T-bone car accident. Avoid saying anything that suggests you are to blame or can jeopardize your right to compensation.
The officer will collect evidence and detail the findings of their investigation in a police crash report. The official statement will contain information such as whether or not a traffic law was broken by the other party. Also, obtain a copy of the report for documentary purposes.
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Get Immediate Medical Help
Getting t-boned can be catastrophic. It can cause drivers and passengers to suffer severe injuries and, in extreme cases, death. Seeking immediate medical helps to determine the extent of your injuries and establish fault. It does this by connecting your wounds to the point of impact.
However, it can be challenging to connect your injuries to the crash if you don’t see a physician. As a result, the insurance company may infer that your wounds are fake or that they occurred under different circumstances.
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Take Photos of the Accident
Take as many photos of the T-bone car accident in the moments following the collision. Your injury claim can come down to a “he said” “she said” situation without evidence. So, take pictures of the wreck from multiple angles, including damage to both vehicles, your injuries, skid marks, vehicle debris, etc. You preserve valuable evidence by doing so.
In addition, pictures don’t lie, and they are used to reconstruct the incident to determine the at-fault party. Hence, pictorial evidence shows useful proof of what happened in the crash.
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Identify Other Parties Involved
Sometimes it is not just the other driver that can be at fault for a T-bone car accident. Therefore, it is essential to identify all parties involved in the crash and their role. Other potential parties include:
- A vehicle manufacturer can share partial or total fault for your injuries and losses. For example, the manufacturers are liable if any of the vehicles involved had a faulty component that contributed to the crash.
- Another driver who started the chain of events that caused the crash can also be liable. For example, if a driver makes an illegal turn causing a driver to swerve to avoid a collision, they can share liability.
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Get Information about the Other Driver and Available Witnesses
Get the identifying and insurance information of the other driver. Don’t apologize or say anything that infers fault. Also, talk to those who witnessed the T-bone car accident, like other drivers who stopped, pedestrians, etc.
Ask if they are willing to give an account of the incident and get their contact information. Eyewitnesses can back up your version of events. In addition, their testimonies can help determine fault.
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Contact an Attorney
An automobile accident lawyer can help determine fault by all the evidence gathered. They will build a strong case and put you in the best position for a positive outcome. So contact one immediately after the occurrence.
Top-Rated Atlanta Automobile Accident Attorneys Can Protect Your Rights!
The effect of a T-bone car accident can be devastating, whether minor or severe. You have a right to get monetary compensation for the damages suffered. This compensates you for physical injuries and financial losses. However, you need to prove a credible case that places the entire blame on the at-fault party.
At The Weinstein Firm, we can help you gather evidence to prove fault. In addition, we will build a solid case to get the fair compensation you deserve. We do not get paid unless we win your case. So contact our firm to speak with our Atlanta, Georgia, personal injury lawyers today.
