Buffalo Grove T-bone Accident Lawyer

T-bone accidents, also referred to as side-impact crashes or side collisions, can have devastating consequences for the victims who can suffer serious injuries and property damage. You could be a victim of a T-bone accident even if it was not your fault. While you can’t change what happened, you can certainly seek compensation for the damages. If you or your loved one suffered minor or catastrophic injuries in a T-bone collision, you should consult a T-bone accident lawyer to recover full and fair compensation. To learn more about T-bone accidents and how Buffalo Grove car accident attorneys can help, please keep reading. 

What is a T-Bone Accident? 

A T-bone accident is when one vehicle hits the other from the side. It is called a T-bone because the two vehicles in the impact look like the letter T. This is one of the more common types of accidents and is most common at intersections where vehicles are moving in different directions. 

The angle of the T-bone collision makes it highly dangerous, especially for the vehicle that gets hit on the side. The side of the vehicle has less protection than the front or back; however, the injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle can also be severe. Unfortunately, fatalities are common in high-speed T-bone collisions or when the accident involves trucks or other large vehicles. 

What Type Of Injury Is Commonly Associated With T-Bone Accidents?

The force of the impact in T-bone or side-impact accidents is often devastating to the occupants of the impacted vehicle. The occupants in the vehicle that gets hit on the side are more likely to suffer serious injuries as a result of the forceful contact with the doors and windows. 

The occupants in the vehicle that hits the other car are more likely to hit the dashboard or windshield. Serious injuries can happen to occupants of either vehicle. The most common injuries include whiplash, abdominal injuries, spine and back injuries, concussion and head injuries, broken bones and fractures, and lacerations. A traumatic brain injury or damage to the spine can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis. 

Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents 

There can be different causes of T-bone car accidents. A common cause is when one driver fails to yield the right of way. For example, if a vehicle runs a red light or stop sign, it can hit another vehicle on the side. Another common cause is distracted driving. When a driver is not paying attention to the road, their reaction time is significantly reduced, and they can inadvertently cross an intersection without yielding to oncoming traffic. Faulty car components, such as worn-out brake pads, can also cause T-bone accidents. Other common causes include inclement weather conditions or dangerous roadways, as this can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. 

Establishing Liability in T-Bone or Side Impact Crashes 

While the fault of the T-bone crash is clearly evident in some cases, it can be far more challenging to determine in other cases. For example, the driver who ran a stop sign or red light is likely to be at fault in the accident and liable to pay for damages. You will have to prove through evidence that it was not your fault. 

To establish liability, you need to prove that the other driver had a duty of care towards you and that their negligence of this duty resulted in your injuries. In order to pursue damages, you must prove that the defendant’s breach of duty led to your injuries.  

Some evidence needs to be collected in the immediate aftermath of the accident if possible. This includes photos or videos of the accident site. Ideally, you want to take photos or videos of the vehicle damage, debris around the crash site, injuries, and skid marks on the road. This evidence can be used to establish liability in many vehicle accidents. 

If there are any people who witnessed the accident, you can ask them if they are willing to provide a witness statement or testify in court. Witnesses can be anyone who saw what happened.

In most cases, police will arrive at the accident site and make an accident report. You can get a copy of the report, which should include useful details related to the accident, such as information on the driver involved in the crash and statements from witnesses. In some cases, law enforcement personnel will also write their conclusion or findings as to how the accident happened. 

If there are traffic cameras or nearby businesses or homes that have CCTV, you can check if they captured any video footage of the accident. If you are able to obtain video footage, it can help establish liability in a T-bone accident. 

As establishing liability and gathering evidence in a T-bone accident can often be challenging, it is best to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer. They can guide you on several aspects of the case, including how to gather evidence. 

Partial Liability in T-Bone Accidents 

T-bone or side impact accidents are not always the fault of a single party. There can be several liable parties in the accident. For example, if both drivers ran a red light or they failed to yield the right of way, the case can have partial liability. 

The state of Illinois uses “modified comparative negligence” laws, in which you can recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault in the accident. In other words, if you are 50% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation. 

The total compensation for the T-bone accident will be adjusted according to the share of fault of the accident. For example, if one party is determined to be 30% at fault for the accident, they will receive the remaining 70% of the total compensation. 

What Compensation is Available in T-Bone Accidents? 

The compensation available in T-bone accidents can include economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages refer to all types of financial suffering, such as lost wages, medical bills, loss of earning potential, vehicle damage, future medical expenses, and more. 

Non-economic damages refer to the pain and suffering of the victims. This includes the impact of accidents on their mental health. It is not uncommon for victims to feel a loss of quality of life, depression, and anxiety. The total compensation for a T-bone accident depends on many factors, including the severity of the injuries, pain and suffering, and property damage. 

T-Bone Accident in Buffalo Grove? Call Our Car Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a T-bone accident can be destructive and cause significant interruption to one’s life. Whether you suffered minor or major personal injuries in Buffalo Grove or property damage, you have the right to seek compensation. It is best to have an experienced attorney on your side to help guide you each step of the way. 

You can get in touch with us at the Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C. We will examine your case and guide you on the best legal options. Our car accident lawyer has experience in various types of car crash cases, including T-bone accidents.