Our Fort Lauderdale T-Bone Accident Attorneys Understand the Consequences of T-Bone Crashes

T-Bone car accidents typically occur at busy traffic intersections.  They are called T-Bone car accidents because this type of accident involves the front end of one car making contact with the side of another vehicle, thus creating the shape of a “T”.  T Bone accidents are also known as “broadside car accidents” and “side impact accidents”.

Modern cars are made to withstand tremendous impacts from other cars.  However, the most vulnerable place a car can get hit is a direct impact to the side of the vehicle, the type impact that occurs in a T Bone accident.  The National Transportation Highway Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) studies have shown that T-Bone accidents account for 13% of all traffic accidents in the United States, but 18% of all fatal car accidents.  NHTSA estimates that almost 8,000 people lose their lives each year in a T-Bone accident. If you or a loved one was hurt or killed in one of these traumatic accidents, contact a Fort Lauderdale car crash attorney at our firm today.

 

Who is At Fault in a Florida T-Bone Car Accident?

Fault in a T-Bone accident is sometimes difficult to determine.  When two cars are proceeding through a car intersection, one of the vehicles must have the right of way over the other vehicle.  This is usually determined by traffic signals.  T-Bone car accidents typically involve one vehicle failing to yield the right of way to another vehicle.

One of the best ways to prove fault in a T-Bone accident is through an independent witness.  Because T-Bone accidents usually occur at busy intersections, there are normally other drivers stopped at the intersection that see the accident occur and can help determine which vehicle had the right of way.  The difficulty with depending on other drivers at the intersection is sometimes they cannot see the actual traffic signal that governs the right of way as they may be located away from the traffic signal.

Another method of determining fault for a T-Bone accident is to obtain surveillance videotape from the State of Florida, the County, or a municipality.  In 2010, the Florida Legislature passed the “Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act” which authorized the use of Traffic Infraction Detectors (“TID”).  TIDs is a vehicle sensor that works with traffic control signals and a camera to record photographs or streaming video of a vehicle that fails to stop behind the stop bar when facing a red light.  A TID can also detect the speed of a vehicle traveling through an intersection when the speed is more than the speed limit.  TIDs have become very popular in determining who is at fault in Florida T Bone Accidents.

It is also critical to determine whether there are any businesses with surveillance video near the accident scene that may have captured the accident.  Many businesses employ videotape surveillance that record videotape of the business premises, but also roadways that are adjacent to the business.  These videotapes can help prove who is at fault for a Florida T Bone Accident.

What are the Safest Cars in a T-Bone accident?

When buying a car, the most important factor to consider is whether the car has side impact air bags.  These deploy immediately upon impact and can prevent serious injuries.  U.S. News and World Report evaluates the safety of vehicles every year.  Vehicles that rank the highest for T-Bone accidents are:

• Toyota Camry
• Honda Insight
• Kia Optima
• Subaru Impreza
• Honda Accord
• Mazda3
• Hyundai Veloster
• Mazda 6
• Nissan Maxima

What Type of Injuries Occur in T-Bone Accidents?

The most serious T-Bone accidents occur when the front of a vehicle impacts with a driver or passenger section of another car.  There is very little metal to absorb the impact in these areas, so much of the impact gets transferred directly to the person sitting in that area.  The most common T-Bone accident injuries are:

• Hip injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Head injuries
• Knee/foot/ankle injuries
• Crush/impact injuries

What Damages will a Fort Lauderdale T-Bone Accident Attorney Pursue?

Because T-Bone accident injuries are usually severe, Florida jury verdicts are generally higher for a T-Bone accident than other types of car accident settlements.  The primary damages that make up a Florida verdict or settlement for a T-Bone accident are:

• The type injury and whether there are any findings related to your accident on the x-rays and MRI scans
• The length and type of medical care you received for your injuries
• Whether you have lost wages from work, and whether you are able to return to your normal occupation after your accident
• The amount of future medical care you may need
• Your pain and suffering

Because there are no two identical T Bone accidents, and no two identical victims of a T Bone accident, each claim needs to be evaluated on its own merit.  This requires obtaining all evidence needed to prove fault, ensuring the client seeks the appropriate medical care to help with their injuries, and an effective car accident attorney.

The Maus Law Firm has been handling Florida T-Bone accidents for close more than 20 years.  Contact the Maus Law Firm for a free, no obligation evaluation of your accident.