Getting into a car accident is always a scary experience. T-bone accidents can be very severe and can lead to loss of lives. It’s never easy to determine who is at fault in T-bone accidents because it’s never obvious who caused the accident. For instance, a driver might be hit in the side and you’d automatically assume that the other driver is at fault. However, upon further investigation, you might find out that the driver who was hit, ran a red light.
Due to the complexity of T-bone car accidents, it’s advisable that you hire an experienced car accident attorney to help you with your case. If you reside in Providence, RI, you can get in touch with any of our car accident lawyers and take advantage of our free initial consultation.
How Do You Identify a T-bone Accident?
They are also known as side-impact car accidents and they occur when one car impacts the side of another. The accident looks like a letter T and that is where the accident gets its name.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 23% of fatalities in car accidents are as a result of T-bone accidents. This is because cars have very minimal protection on the sides so a T-bone impact can result in very serious injuries.
Causes of a T-bone Accident
Below are some of the causes of T-bone accidents:
- Speeding
- Poor visibility
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Bad roads
- Running a stop sign or a red light
Due to the severity of T-bone accidents, you will require treatment for your injuries and the medical bills can accumulate very fast. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you don’t deserve to pay for your own medical bills. This is why you need proper representation from a skilled car accident attorney.
What Type of Injuries Can Result from a T-bone Accident?
Some of the most common type of injuries includes:
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussion
- Broken bones
- Cuts
- Burns
The good news is that if you drive a new car model, you are likely to suffer less severe injuries since car manufacturers are now installing advanced safety features in newer models. However it’s important to keep in mind that a few other factors such as angle of impact, speed of impact, seat belt usage, etc. So this does not mean that you won’t suffer any kind of injuries.
What Should You Do After Your Accident?
It’s very important that you think through your next steps immediately after your accident because that will not only help you maximize your recovery but it will also ensure that you recover your damages. With that being said, this is what you should do:
- Do not admit fault. You might not be aware of it but making innocent statements such as “I didn’t see you coming” or “I’m sorry” is actually an admission of fault and witnesses nearby can testify you said those statements.
- Do not lie. There are many reasons why drivers might lie about an accident. Maybe they do not want their car insurance premiums to increase or they might get fired from work because they were using a company car. Whatever the reasons are, lying about any details of your accident could negatively impact your case.
- Call 911. Notifying the police immediately after your accident ensures they review the accident scene while it is still fresh. The data that they will gather will be able to assist your attorney to determine who was at fault.
- Take pictures. If you are not able to take pictures of the accident due to the severity of your injuries, you can request witnesses to do so. Ensure they take pictures from several angles. They should also take pictures of the surroundings and pictures of your injuries.
- Seek medical attention. Regardless of whether your injuries are severe or minor, you should go to the hospital to get checked out.
- Keep a journal. It’s important to record your recovery process by taking daily notes. Doing this will help you demonstrate your pain and suffering.
- Get in touch with a car accident lawyer. Rather than chase after insurers and worrying about liability, your sole focus should be on getting better. This is why you should let a car accident lawyer handle the complexities of your case while you focus on recovery.
