T-bone crashes are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. Cars don’t have crumple zones along their broad sides, which means that an impact there imparts more force onto occupants, leading to serious injuries, costlier medical bills, longer time off work, and a greater likelihood of long-term impairment.
When another person’s negligence causes a car accident, that person can be held accountable for the consequences. The experienced Scottsdale T-bone accident lawyers at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. have extensive experience handling cases involving these often-devastating collisions.
Contact us today for a consultation and learn more about how we can offer you the personalized service of a small firm, with the resources of a large firm.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone accident, also known as a side-impact or broadside accident, occurs when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a shape that resembles a T-shape. These crashes often involve one driver who fails to yield the right of way. Even a relatively low-speed collision can be devastating when the colliding car hits the driver’s door or a passenger’s door.
Where Do T-Bone Car Crashes Most Often Occur?
Most broadside accidents happen at intersections. When drivers moving in different directions cross each other’s paths at stop lights and stop signs, the risk of a collision increases significantly, particularly when one driver fails to pay attention or acts recklessly. If someone runs a red light or simply misjudges timing, side-impact crashes frequently follow.
Why Do T-Bone Collisions Cause Catastrophic Injuries?
T-bone crashes often result in severe harm for several reasons, including the following:
- Sides of cars lack strong crumple zones – Manufacturers design front and rear sections of cars to absorb impact force. The sides offer far less protection, which allows the force of impact to transfer directly to occupants.
- Violent side-to-side whiplash – The sudden lateral motion caused by a T-bone collision can force the body to twist unnaturally, frequently resulting in whiplash, as well as neck, back, and brain injuries.
What Are Common Causes of T-Bone Accidents in Scottsdale?
T-bone accidents happen in a few different ways, many of them the result of negligent or reckless behavior. Some of the most common reasons include the following:
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Red light and stop sign violations
- Drunk driving
Our Scottsdale T-bone accident lawyers can investigate the accident to determine how it happened and who caused it, and then we can build a compelling case for holding them responsible.
What Serious Injuries Do T-Bone Accidents Cause?
Some of the most common injuries our side-impact collision lawyers in Scottsdale see include the following:
- Brain injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Amputation
- PTSD
These accidents frequently cause life-altering injuries that require extensive medical treatment and lengthy recovery periods. We will skillfully pursue a recovery that accurately reflects the full scope of the harm you’ve endured.
What Should You Do After a Scottsdale T-Bone Accident?
Protect your health after a broadside accident by seeking prompt medical attention even if you feel “okay.” If you want to protect your car accident claim, do the following:
- Call law enforcement and report the accident.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene.
- Collect witness information, including their names, contact information, and what they saw.
- Avoid social media. If you stay active on social media, don’t post about your crash.
- Don’t offer recorded statements to insurance companies.
- Never agree to any settlements without legal advice.
- Speak to a side-impact collision lawyer at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C, and learn about your legal rights and options.
What Can You Do to Prove Who Was At Fault for the T-Bone Accident?
Establishing liability in car accident claims requires substantial evidence. In T-bone accident cases, some of the most critical evidence often includes the following:
- Traffic camera footage showing failure to yield
- Police reports, which may include citations
- Witness testimony confirming how the collision occurred
- Vehicle damage analysis revealing the angle of impact
- Black box data for commercial truck accidents
As you move forward in your T-bone accident case, two issues could arise:
- Yellow Light defense – At-fault drivers often claim they entered the intersection during a yellow light, meaning they still had the right of way. Our car accident lawyers can challenge this defense after examining video footage, witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstruction analysis.
- Negligence per se – Negligence per se is a legal doctrine holding that a violation of a safety statute creates a rebuttable presumption that a person was negligent. For example, a driver who illegally runs a red light and then collides with a vehicle in the intersection could be considered negligent per se.
Our car accident lawyers can investigate the crash that injured you, determine if the other driver broke relevant safety rules, and use that information to strengthen your injury claim.
Could More Than One Person Share Fault for the T-Bone Accident?
Arizona follows a comparative negligence system for car accident lawsuits. Under this system, you can still recover compensation even if you contributed to the crash. However, your compensation will decrease based on your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies often attempt to take advantage of this rule by deflecting blame to reduce your payout. Our car accident attorneys protect your claim by building compelling cases holding the at-fault party fully accountable.
What Compensation Can You Seek from the Person Who Hit You?
Compensation for T-bone accidents can account for both the financial losses and personal harm the at-fault party caused. That compensation can include the following:
- Economic damages, which include measurable financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses
- Non-economic damages, which include the personal harm you’ve endured, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
If an accident proves fatal, certain surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. Compensation in wrongful death claims can include money for the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills related to the final injury
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship and guidance
What Is the Deadline for Filing a T-Bone Car Accident Lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona law sets strict deadlines for filing a car accident lawsuit. In most cases, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file. If you miss this deadline, courts will likely throw your case out, and you will permanently lose your right to recover compensation. Early legal action can protect your rights and strengthen your claim.
Contact a Scottsdale T-Bone Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to face the fallout of a serious T-bone collision alone. The team at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., can offer compassionate support and relentless advocacy as you seek justice and fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a consultation.
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