In terms of injury, side-impact collisions tend to be the deadliest type of auto accident. Side-impact crashes, often referred to as “T-Boning,” occurs when one motor vehicle strikes the side panel of another automobile. These accidents are extremely dangerous for both the driver and its occupants, especially if the car striking the vehicle is operating at high speeds. Side-impact collisions often result in severe injury including spinal cord damage, neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other various types of harm. In fact, side-impact automobile accidents is one of the leading cause of fatalities on the road in the United States.
If you have sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one due to a side-impact accident, then it’s within your best interest to reach out to an experienced Washington car accident lawyer. Do make any major decisions with the insurance company. They may attempt to provide you with a low-ball settlement offer that is valued way below than what your actual damages are. A skilled Washington auto accident injury lawyer can negotiate with adjusters on your behalf to ensure you’re receiving a settlement that’s both fair and equitable.
Bellingham T-Bone Accident Lawyer | Whatcom County, Washington
Victims of side-impact collisions often sustain life-changing injuries that require extensive and expensive medical treatment. That is why if you’ve been injured in a T-Bone accident, it’s within your best interest to contact an experienced Washington personal injury lawyer like the legal team at PNW Trial Lawyers. Our skilled Whatcom County injury attorneys have represented many injured clients with success, including victims of T-Bone accidents.
Schedule your first consultation by calling our office at (360) 483-5201 or simply submit an online contact form. PNW Trial Lawyers serves clients throughout the surrounding areas of Snohomish County, Whatcom County, and Skagit County, Washington.
Information Center:
- What Causes a T-Bone Accident?
- Side Impact Collision Injuries
- Liability in a Side Impact Collision
- Additional Resources
What Causes a T-Bone Accident?
A T-Bone automobile accident can occur due to a multitude of outside and internal factors. However, in most cases, side-impact collisions happen because one person is being negligent while operating a vehicle. These types of accidents are triggered by a variety of reasons, but a common scenario for T-Bone collisions is when one person is pulling out of a driveway or parking lot and doesn’t account for regular traffic. Intersections are also a common scene where side-impact collisions may occur. A T-Bone accident may follow if one vehicle runs a red light or speeds through an intersection unlawfully.
The following are some other common reasons a side-impact collision may occur.
- Distracted Drivers – Unfortunately, due to phones and other technology—drivers are distracted more than ever. Drivers who are operating a vehicle and texting, eating, changing the radio station, talking on the phone, etc. are much more likely to get into a serious accident due to their gross inattentiveness.
- Intersection Blocking – Intersections, especially congested ones, are often a hotbed for dangerous accidents including T-bone collisions. If a driver is blocking an intersection, there’s a very high chance they’ll face a T-Bone accident by an oncoming driver.
- Unlawfully Running a Red or Yellow Light – Traffic lights and other signals are obviously important as they keep motorists safe from others at complicated intersections. Drivers who barrel through a red or yellow light at an intersection or any roadway could potentially put other people/motorists at risk of a serious accident including T-Boning.
- Reversing a Vehicle – Motorists must be vigilant when they are reversing out of a space. Individuals who pull out of a parking space too quickly without checking their surroundings put themselves and others at risk of a side-impact collision.
- Failure to Follow Traffic Signals – Stop signs, yield signs, and other traffic signals are incredibly important for the general safety of motorists on the road. When a driver fails to follow these traffic rules or a traffic sign/signal is covered, missing, bent or hard to reach could be the reason for a side-impact collision.
Side-Impact Collision Injuries
When a motor vehicle strikes another automobile on its side-panel, the possibility of serious injury in either the occupants or the driver. These injuries can be exacerbated if the accident occurred at high speeds or if the crash happened at a busy intersection. In addition, it’s not uncommon for victims of side-impact collisions to not be fully aware of the full scope injuries days or even weeks later. For this and many other reasons, it’s incredibly important you retain legal representation if you’ve been injured in a side-impact collision to ensure a full recovery.
The following are some common injuries from a side-impact collision.
- Disfigurement
- Amputations Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Broken Bones
- Neck Injuries
- Whiplash
- Psychological damage
- Spinal injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Paralysis
Liability in a Side-Impact Collision
If you’ve been injured in a side-impact collision by another person’s negligent actions, the State of Washington recognizes how agonizing this may be. Due to this, the State allows those injured to file a claim against the at-fault party to recover from their damages. In most side-impact collision cases, the other driver is the responsible party and held at fault. However, there are cases where inadequate road maintenance or third-party vehicles are the reason for the crash.
It’s important to note that per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Section 4.33.005 the State has a “pure comparative negligence” stance on car accidents. Generally, this policy underscores the fact both drivers carry some percentage of liability in a crash. In most cases, as long as the injured party is less than 50% at-fault, then they have the right to pursue legal compensation for their damages.
If you’re successful, you’ll receive a settlement or monetary award for your injuries. The award will be determined by the number of losses you’ve sustained since the accident. Some damages you may recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Car repairs
- Lost earnings
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
- Therapy costs
- Loss of enjoyment for life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Additional Resources
Side Crash Tests – Visit the official website for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and find more information about their side-panel crash testing. Access the site to see how the IIHS performs crash tests, videos from the tests, how the ratings work, and the process of changing airbags for better results.
Crash Research – Visit the official website for the National Highway and Transportation Administration (NHTSA) to find more information about their crash research. Access the different programs created by NHTSA to tackle crash injuries, enhanced safety measures and crash avoidance.
Side-Impact Crash Bellingham Attorney, WA
If you’ve been involved in a side-impact accident and retained a serious injury, then it’s imperative you seek experienced counsel. You may be eligible for compensation for all losses related to your injury. Don’t wait a moment longer for recovery. Call our trusted personal injury attorneys at PNW Trial Lawyers for trusted legal representation.
Schedule your first consultation by calling PNW Trial Lawyers at (360) 483-5201. PNW Trial Lawyers serves clients throughout Skagit County, Whatcom County, Snohomish County, Washington.