The Aftermath of a T-Bone Accident

Posted in Car Accidents on May 21, 2021

While involvement in any car accident is distressing, T-bone accidents are particularly terrifying. They are also likely to leave passengers suffering from serious injuries, a damaged vehicle, and a variety of other injuries. If another person was responsible for the accident, they are also responsible for your injuries.

Read on to learn more about the dangerous results of a T-bone accident and steps to take after an accident.

What is a T-Bone Crash?

T-bone crashes are also called side impact crashes. These accidents occur when a vehicle strikes the side of another, creating a “T” shape at the point of impact. T-bone accidents account for 23 percent of passenger vehicle occupant deaths. In 2019, there were 5,187 occupant deaths resulting from side impact crashes.

One of the most common locations for T-bone crashes to occur are intersections and can happen when a driver fails to heed a stop sign or drives through a red light. These crashes also happen when a driver fails to yield, is driving impaired, is fatigued, or is driving while distracted. Any of these actions would be considered negligent, and a negligent driver is responsible for resulting injuries.

A negligent driver isn’t the only party who might be responsible for a T-bone accident:

• Vehicle Manufacturer: If the crash is caused by a vehicle malfunction such as a brake failure, the manufacturer is responsible. Even if a malfunction doesn’t cause the accident, a malfunction can cause or increase injuries. For example, if an airbag fails to deploy, the manufacturer is responsible for injuries associated with that failure.

• Local Government: A hidden stop sign or broken red light can result in a T-bone accident. It is the local government’s responsibility to maintain these traffic signals. It can be very difficult to pursue recovery from the local government who is often protected from lawsuits.

A lawyer will help you analyze the facts of your case and build a case against the responsible party. One important piece of evidence will be a police report which will contain pictures of the accident scene, witness information, and citations issues to any driver involved in the accident.

T-Bone Accident Injuries

T-bone accidents are especially likely to result in injuries because the point of impact strikes a passenger door, leaving the passenger separated from the car by only glass and the thin wall of the door. Children are often victims of a side impact crash. Additionally, a T-bone accident can cause a vehicle to veer off course and strike another vehicle or an object like a guardrail or telephone pole.  

Common injuries after a T-bone accident include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury: A blow to the head or a piercing injury can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and each TBI victim can suffer a wide range of symptoms depending on the severity and location of the injury. Symptoms can range from cognitive impacts to brain death.

• Head Injury: A TBI is not the only possible injury after a blow to the head. T-bone accident victims can also suffer from lacerations or a concussion.

• Spinal Injury: The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that allows the brain to communicate with the body. The results of a spinal cord injury will depend on the location of the injury and is likely to result in numbness or paralysis for certain limbs or regions of the body.

• Neck or Back Injury: If the body is jarred on impact, the victim is likely to suffer neck or back injuries including whiplash. These injuries limit the victim’s ability to enjoy their day-to-day life and can require ongoing physical therapy.

• Internal Organ Damage: Organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys are at risk of injury when the body suffers a blow. Symptoms of internal damages are often delayed and hard to diagnose, but they can be deadly.

• Tinnitus: Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears and caused by the loud noise of an impact or an airbag exploding.

• Road Rash: If a victim is ejected from the vehicle, their skin is likely to come into contact with the road. This contact can cause a painful skin injury called road rash and severe cases will require skin grafting.

• Crushed or Broken Bones: The impact of a T-bone crash can cause a vehicle to fold in on itself, crushing a passenger severely damaging a passenger’s limbs. Even minor bone breaks disrupt the victim’s daily life, but a severe break or crushed bone may never heal properly or require long-term physical therapy.

• Lacerations: Because the point of impact for a T-bone crash is often a door, a window is likely to shatter causing lacerations across the victim’s body including in sensitive areas like the eyes.

There is no doubt that these injuries will impact the victim’s ability to live out their normal life. The negligent party who caused the accident is responsible for these injuries.

Recovering for Injuries

Work with your attorney to assess all the damages you have suffered as a result of the accident, including:

• Medical Expenses: The defendant is responsible for all expenses associated with your injuries including emergency transportation, doctor’s bills, and prescription medication. Include an estimate of future medical expenses including physical therapy and assistive devices.

• Lost Income: If your injuries force you to miss work, include lost wages in your demand as well as an estimate of future lost wages and reduced future earning potential.

• Property Damage: The defendant is responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of damaged property including a damaged vehicle.

• Emotional Distress: If you have suffered from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other emotional distress because of the accident, work with your lawyer to include appropriate recovery in your damages demand.

The team at the Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC is experienced in assisting T-bone accident victims in Louisiana secure recovery for their injuries. It is our mission to empower our clients to assist them in securing a fair recovery for their injuries. Contact our firm today at (504) 500-5000 or through our website to schedule a free case consultation.