Were you injured in T-bone accident in Norcross? These crashes are also commonly called side-impact accidents. By any name, they can be dangerous, potentially deadly, and costly for victims. However, if another driver caused the car crash, you could be entitled to pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses.
The team at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., is committed to helping those injured by negligence in Norcross and surrounding areas. For more than 20 years, founding attorney Kevin Adamson has provided effective, compassionate legal representation to clients with personal injury claims. With a proven track record of success, Kevin and his team are prepared to pursue maximum compensation for you. Let us handle all the legal work while you recuperate from your injuries. Contact our Norcross T-bone accident lawyer today for a free case review.
What Is a T-Bone Collision, and Why Are They Particularly Dangerous?
A T-bone collision occurs when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape. T-bone accidents are especially dangerous for occupants in the car that is struck because the sides of a vehicle offer less protection than the front and rear.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these collisions accounted for nearly a quarter of all accidents nationwide in one recent year, including 18 percent of fatal crashes. This makes T-bone crashes the most common type of fatal accident in the United States.
Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents
Some of the most common causes of T-bone accidents in Norcross and throughout Georgia include:
- Distracted driving — A distracted driver might run a red light or blow through a stop sign, which can cause them to collide with the side of a vehicle moving through the intersection.
- Impaired driving — Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are less aware of their surroundings and may fail to recognize or notice red lights or stop signs, resulting in crashes. Impaired drivers are also more likely to speed, which can worsen the consequences of T-bone crashes.
- Drowsy driving — Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving. In fact, research shows going more than 20 hours without sleep is roughly equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol content over the legal limit.
- Speeding — The faster a car moves as it approaches an intersection, the more time and space it needs to slow down and stop. A speeding driver may be incapable of slowing down in time to avoid a T-bone collision.
- Failure to yield — Drivers who ignore the right-of-way laws at intersections are likely to cause T-bone accidents if other cars are around.
- Mechanical defects — If a car’s brakes, steering, or other critical systems fail as it approaches an intersection, a driver may be unable to stop in time to avoid a T-bone accident.
- Poor road conditions — Bad weather can make it harder to control a vehicle, and wet or icy roads can make it nearly impossible to stop in time to avoid a collision. Drivers should account for these hazards while behind the wheel.
- Malfunctioning traffic lights — When traffic lights are not working correctly at an intersection, drivers must treat it as a four-way stop. A driver who doesn’t know this rule or ignores it may drive through the intersection at the wrong time and cause a crash.
Common Injuries Sustained in Norcross T-Bone Accidents
The most common injuries that occur from T-bone accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- External head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Crushed, severed, or amputated limbs
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Back injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Injuries to internal organs
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Psychological distress
- Wrongful death.
How Do You Prove Liability in a T-Bone Accident?
Typically, the driver responsible for a T-bone accident is the one who smashed into the side of the other vehicle. However, other parties could be at fault, depending on the circumstances. To prove liability in a T-bone accident, lawyers will look at the following types of evidence:
- Police accident reports
- Eyewitness accounts
- Photos from the crash scene
- Footage from nearby traffic or security cameras
- Medical records
- Forensic accident reconstructions
- Expert testimony
- Cellphone records.
Can Both Drivers Be at Fault?
The driver who struck the other car’s side is generally at fault for a T-bone accident. Sometimes, both drivers share the blame. When this happens, Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule to determine liability.
Under this theory, a plaintiff can pursue compensation for an accident if their share of fault is less than 50 percent. Keep in mind that a plaintiff’s compensation will be reduced in accordance with the share of the blame. For example, if a plaintiff seeks $100,000 for their injuries and other losses but is found to be 10 percent responsible, the maximum compensation they can receive is $90,000. If a plaintiff is 50 percent or more at fault for a crash, they will be barred from pursuing compensation in Georgia.
What Compensation Is Available for a T-Bone Accident Claim?
If you were injured in a T-bone accident, you might be eligible for compensation that includes:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and reduced future earnings
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property.
What If Someone Dies as a Result of a T-Bone Crash?
If someone dies in a T-bone crash, their surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit is like a personal injury lawsuit, except the injured person died and cannot seek compensation. Therefore, surviving family members file the suit. If your loved one was killed in a T-bone accident, a wrongful death claim may lead to compensation that can play an important role in a family’s future.
Contact a Norcross T-Bone Accident Lawyer
At Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., we have extensive experience with helping those injured in T-bone accidents in Norcross and throughout Georgia to seek justice and fair compensation. When you work with us, we will do everything possible to pursue maximum compensation for you. To discuss how we can help you, call or reach us online today.