A T-bone accident can lead to serious injuries that require expensive medical treatments. Recovering compensation from the liable party can be essential after an accident. In addition to medical costs and other financial setbacks, such as lost wages, you may be able to recover damages for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
If you or someone you love were in a T-bone accident in Nevada, you should contact a qualified Henderson T-bone car accident attorney. It is the easiest way to ensure your rights are protected and you get the compensation you deserve.
Who Is At Fault In A T-Bone Accident?
Determining fault in a side impact or “T-bone accident” is not always easy. It isn’t always the fault of the person who sustained side-impact damages. Nor is it always the fault of the vehicle that sustained front-end damages.
When a T-bone accident occurs, both parties may initially be considered at fault. Since this type of accident usually occurs when one vehicle has a green light or right of way and another fails to yield or stop, who is considered at fault will depend greatly on:
- The position of the vehicles
- Witness statements
- Whether someone was speeding
- Whether the vehicle was faulty (bad brakes, stuck accelerator, etc.)
- Weather conditions or road hazards
Law enforcement will consider each of these things when trying to determine fault. They will take note of vehicle positions, question witnesses regarding the incident, and look for possible reasons that it occurred. Even the skid marks left by the vehicles can help them evaluate the scene.
When You’re The One “At Fault”
In some cases, even if you were not doing anything wrong, the officer on the scene may determine that you are partially at fault. They may write in their report that you failed to proceed, with caution, through the intersection, which would have allowed you to see the car and stop faster.
Luckily, if you can prove that you were not at fault, this will often be dropped. This is why you are urged to have a T-bone car accident lawyer in Henderson available to protect you from being found guilty of causing the accident.
Make Sure To File Your Lawsuit On Time
When pursuing a lawsuit after a T-bone accident, it is critical that you pay attention to the statute of limitations. In Nevada, accident victims typically have two years to file a lawsuit. Failure to do so within this time frame could result in a loss of your right to recover compensation.
However, you must also realize that there are exceptions to this rule which could extend or reduce the amount of time you have to file. An experienced T-bone car accident attorney can evaluate your situation and ensure your lawsuit is filed on time.
Damages You Can Recover After A Crash
After a T-bone accident, there are a variety of damages you may be eligible to recover, including:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
- Punitive damages
The above list is not exhaustive. A T-bone accident attorney in Henderson will be able to help evaluate your case and determine all of the damages for which you are eligible.
What To Do After A Henderson T-Bone Car Accident
Even though your mind may be going through a variety of thoughts immediately following an accident, there are certain things you should do. Some are even legally required. For instance, at the scene, you should:
- Stop your vehicle
- Move your vehicle
- Help the injured
- Call 9-1-1
- Gather information
- Speak with witnesses
- Seek medical attention
- Contact your insurance provider
Stop Your Vehicle
You do not want to face charges for a hit-and-run incident which could mean jail time. According to Nevada’s NRS Chapter 484E.010, failure to stop can result in:
- Category B felony charges
- Minimum two years/maximum 20 years in prison
- A fine of $2,000 to $5,000
Move Your Vehicle
If possible, and your vehicle is blocking traffic, you should move it to a safe location nearby. By doing so, you can help reduce the chances of any additional accidents occurring.
Help The Injured
If you are uninjured, you should help the other person, even if you feel they were at fault. This assistance can be calling an ambulance or helping them out of the car if they are in danger.
Call 9-1-1
Even if nobody seems to be seriously injured, you should call emergency services. Doing so will get both police and ambulance services to the scene of the accident.
Gather Information
Get driver and vehicle information from the other person involved in the incident if you are able. This includes their contact information. You should take photographs only if it is safe to do. Beyond this, it is best to limit your interactions with the other involved parties. It is especially critical not to discuss fault in these cases.
Speak With Witnesses
It is essential to gather contact information for any potential witnesses as well. The testimony of witnesses can be critical when attempting to establish fault, and tracking down witnesses later can be difficult, if not impossible.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t believe you are injured, it is critical to get checked out by a paramedic at the scene. Some injuries do not immediately present themselves, especially when you have adrenaline flooding your system.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Nevada is a “fault” state, which means that the driver who caused the accident is liable for the cost of the damages. Their insurance will have to pay for it.
Therefore, once you have dealt with the accident scene, you should immediately contact your insurance company to file a claim. Doing so will allow them to begin processing the accident and establishing who should pay for it.
5 Tips To Safely Get Through Busy Intersections And Avoid T-Bone Accidents
In situations where you get T-boned by another vehicle, you may not have any real control of what happens. The other car may seem to come out of nowhere, and you may not have time to react. However, in the future, there are things you can do to stay safer on Nevada’s busy roadways.
Here are five tips for you to keep in mind when approaching any intersection, whether there are stop signs or lights:
- Stay Alert: Distracted driving is dangerous. When approaching an intersection, you should not spend your time messing with the radio or trying to talk to your passengers.
- Be Cautious: Even if you have a green light or the right of way, it does not mean those with a red light will obey the law. Pay attention at intersections, and always assume you may need to stop quickly.
- Use Turn Signals When Turning: If you plan to turn at the intersection, turn signals will alert both oncoming traffic and those behind you that you are going to make a move.
- Never Rush: Speeding through an intersection is never a good idea under any circumstances. If you are at a red light, and it turns green, you do not need to instantly push the gas to the floor because others may still be going through the intersection.
- Stay in Your Lane: Other drivers will make choices based on your position when entering the intersection. If you change lanes, they may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
If you follow these rules at every intersection you come to, you should be able to navigate through them without issues. However, you should keep in mind that just because you know the rules doesn’t mean other drivers do.
Don’t Try To Handle An Accident Without A Henderson T-Bone Car Accident Attorney
T-bone accidents are tricky. It is often hard to prove fault and even more difficult to get compensation for injuries sustained during the incident. A Henderson T-bone accident lawyer at Pacific West Injury Law is happy to help you through this trying time.
Dealing with the after-effects of an accident is never easy. You should know that there is someone on your side with your best interest in mind. Therefore, when you need a T-bone car accident lawyer in Henderson, all you have to do is contact us for a free consultation. We will be happy to serve you.
