A T-bone accident can result in severe injuries for drivers and passengers, leaving them with costly medical bills, lost income, and other personal and financial losses that make it hard to stay afloat. If you’ve been injured in a T-bone accident that someone else caused, they should be responsible for compensating you for the harm you suffered. At Kreger Brodish LLP, we want to help you hold them accountable.
Our Durham personal injury lawyer offers professional, compassionate representation to people across North Carolina. We understand the many ways that a side-impact collision can impact your life. That’s why we want to help you get the specialized medical care and financial stability you deserve during this difficult time. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options in a free initial case review with a T-bone accident lawyer in North Carolina.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone car accident is a side-impact crash when the front end of one vehicle hits the side of another. With the two cars meeting at a right angle, the resulting wreckage often resembles the shape of a “T.”
These accidents commonly occur at intersections, in merging lanes, and in any area where traffic comes from multiple directions. However, a T-bone crash can happen anywhere. Some common causes of T-bone accidents in Durham include:
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Making an improper left turn
- Speeding or driving recklessly, especially while turning
- Going through intersections or into merge lanes while distracted or impaired
- Driving aggressively and attempting to intimidate other drivers or run them off the road
Who Is At Fault in a T-Bone Car Accident?
While many often assume the driver who crashed into the side of another vehicle is at fault, this is not always the case. One key factor in any T-bone crash is which driver had the right-of-way at the time of the collision, as the driver who failed to yield will likely be at fault.
Parties other than the drivers involved in the T-bone accident may be liable in some cases. For example, if a driver causes a T-bone accident because they swerved unexpectedly to avoid a pedestrian who darted into traffic, the pedestrian could be partially at fault. Other potentially liable parties include manufacturers of defective vehicle parts that contributed to the accident and government entities who failed to maintain the road.
Common Injuries from T-Bone Car Accidents
T-bone car crashes can be devastating, especially for occupants near the impact site. Common injuries that result after being T-boned in a car accident include:
- Head injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Back and neck injuries
- Seatbelt and airbag injuries
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Dislocated or broken bones
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Road rash and other burns
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Partial or total paralysis
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What to Do After a T-Bone Car Accident in Durham, NC
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do after a severe wreck is common. Fortunately, you can protect your legal rights and establish a strong foundation for your injury case by taking the following steps:
- Seek prompt medical attention to ensure your crash injuries are diagnosed, treated, and included in your official medical records.
- Follow your doctor’s care plan to show you are taking your recovery seriously.
- Gather evidence from the accident scene, including photos of the wreckage, contact and insurance details from the other driver, and eyewitness statements.
- Keep your medical bills, bank records, pay stubs, repair estimates, and other documentation of your crash-related injuries and losses.
- Start a pain journal to document your pain levels and physical limitations you experience due to the crash.
- Watch what you say to the other driver, the insurance company, or any other third parties after the accident, as anything you say could be used against you.
- Avoid sharing any information or photos online while your injury case is pending.
- Contact a knowledgeable T-bone car accident lawyer in Durham, NC.
What Can You Recover from a T-Bone Car Accident Settlement?
If you were injured in a T-bone car crash, you could be entitled to compensation for the following losses:
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses you incur due to your crash injuries
- Incidental expenses, such as the costs of traveling to and from medical appointments
- Lost wages and benefits from any time you miss work while you recover
- Estimated losses in your future earning capacity, if your injuries are permanent
- Subjective losses, such as the pain and suffering you endure due to the crash
Statute of Limitations for T-Bone Accident Lawsuits in North Carolina
Like all states, North Carolina has a statute of limitations that sets strict deadlines for specific legal actions. For example, you have just three years from the accident date to file for personal injury lawsuits.
If you try to begin a lawsuit after this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case. After that, you will lose your right to seek compensation in civil court. This is why working with a car accident attorney who can manage your case and keep things on track from the beginning is essential.
Contact a T-Bone Accident Lawyer to Fight for Compensation
The experienced attorneys with Kreger Brodish LLP are ready to help you pursue the justice you deserve after an accident someone else has caused. Contact our firm to discuss your legal options in a free initial consultation with a T-bone accident attorney from our firm.
