Side-collision accidents, or t-bone accidents, are dangerous. These accidents usually happen at intersections. The driver who is supposed to stop for oncoming traffic usually fails to yield, doesn’t take a second glance, or misjudges how fast the oncoming traffic is. They punch the accelerator and slam directly into the side of the vehicle in front of them.
On paper, it’s easy to say that the driver who failed to yield was at fault for the t-bone accident, but things are rarely as simple as they seem on paper. There are several things that can influence fault. Common factors include:
- Speed of oncoming traffic
- Signs/foliage/fences that are in the way
- Missing traffic signs
- Driving conditions with poor visibility
Injuries commonly sustained in t-bone accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Spinal issues
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
Is Compensation for Injuries Sustained During a T-bone Car Accident Possible?
In most t-bone style car accidents, blame for the accident lays on the driver who blew through the intersection and broadsided your vehicle. Your vehicle sustained a great deal of damage during the incident and you suffered severe injuries. As the innocent driver who was obeying the traffic laws, you’re free to pursue financial compensation from the other driver and their insurance company to help you get back on your feet following the accident.
T-bone accidents, or as they are formally called, side-impact crashes, are particularly dangerous because not only is there a chance that momentum will force you into oncoming traffic, but because the original point of impact is quite close to passengers/drivers. It’s not uncommon for the individuals riding in the car to experience severe injuries that could jeopardize your future quality of life.
If you were the innocent driver in a T-bone style accident you are justified to seek financial compensation. Our team of lawyers has extensive experience and knowledge when in side-impact collision incidents. We promise that we look at every single aspect of your accident and determine exactly who is responsible and do everything in our power to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Can a Wrongful Death Claim Be Filed Following a T-bone Accident?
Side-impact crashes are often deadly, particularly to the passengers who are in the vehicle that is struck. Too often, these t-bone accidents result in one or more fatalities. According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ¼ of all traffic-related fatalities are a result of this type of collision. Anyone who dies as a result of a side-impact collision died before their time and as a direct result of someone else’s actions. As a result, they suffered a wrongful death.
A wrongful death lawsuit won’t bring your loved one back, but it will help lessen the financial toll the loss places on you and the rest of your family.
The legal system is set up in such a way that only people who are closely related to the deceased, usually parents and children and sometimes siblings are legally able to file a wrongful death lawsuit following a t-bone style car accident.
Following a T-bone Accident, How Quickly Should You File a Claim?
In the first few weeks and even months following a T-bone accident that resulted in either a loss of life or severe injuries, you’re going to be too busy healing to worry about filing a wrongful death or personal injury claim. Give yourself time to recover, but keep a careful eye on the calendar. Nevada’s statute of limitations requires that the claim be filed within 2 years of the side-collision accident.
How Long Will It Take for the Side-impact Collision Claim to Go Through?
We wish we could give you a specific number of days or even months that it would take to process your wrongful death or personal injury claim following a t-bone accident. Unfortunately, we don’t have that ability. The only thing we can say is that the amount of time it takes to go from the accident to collecting a settlement varies from one case to the next.
Factors that influence how long it takes to settle a claim following a side-impact collision include:
- How complicated the accident was
- How much investigation is needed
- If the defendant decides to settle immediately or decides to take the matter to court
While we can’t provide you with a specific timeline, we can assure you that we will do everything in our power to resolve the matter as quickly as possible and to get you the compensation you deserve. We also promise to keep you in the loop the entire time.
What if You’re Not Sure You Have the Right to File a Claim Following a Side-impact Collision?
One of the most confusing things about side-impact collisions is that the person who was injured in the accident isn’t always sure about who is to blame for the incident. In the case of one driver running a red light, it’s easy to determine who is to blame. But what about when a stop sign is missing? Or did the other driver’s brakes failed? Or if the vehicle you were in had side-airbags that failed to deploy?
One of the reasons we urge you to come to us following your involvement in a t-bone accident is because we’ll do all the work for you. The only thing you have to do is contact us and tell us about your accident.
Contact Our Skilled Attorneys Today For Help After a T-bone Accident
There is no reason for you to bear the financial burden connected to the fallout of a T-bone accident on your own, especially when you didn’t cause the accident. You deserve an automotive attorney who not only understands the intricacies of a side-impact collision but will also handle your case with compassion. You deserve the expert legal team you’ll find at Pacific West Injury Law.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. It’s the first step on your journey towards moving past the t-bone accident.