A side impact collision, also called a T-bone or broadside accident, occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming a "T" shape at the point of impact. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), side-impact crashes accounted for about 22% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the U.S. in 2023. Additionally, the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 8,000 people are killed each year due to a T-bone accident in the United States.
T-bone collisions are considered one of the most dangerous types of accidents, and victims of these crashes often suffer severe, life-altering injuries. The skilled Kansas City car accident lawyers at Peterson Law Firm understand that your life may be changed forever after being T-boned by a negligent driver. When you’re hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Here, our attorneys discuss the causes of side-impact collisions, the injuries that accident victims often suffer, and what to do if you’ve been hurt in this type of crash.
Negligent Driving Behaviors That Can Cause Broadside Collisions
If you suffer injuries because of a T-bone accident, it’s important to understand the at-fault driver’s negligent behavior that caused the crash because you must prove negligence when pursuing a claim for compensation. Here are some common ways negligent drivers cause these tragic wrecks:
When the Driver Engages in Distracted Behavior
Engaging in any activity that takes your attention away from the road is considered distracted driving. Texting, talking on a cell phone, eating and drinking, changing the radio, or using your GPS can divert your attention. Any behavior that is considered a non-driving activity can increase the risk of an accident. If a driver doesn’t see a vehicle entering an intersection because they’re distracted, they may be unable to avoid causing a T-bone collision.
When the Driver Fails to Yield the Right of Way
Typically, fault in a side-impact collision isn’t determined by which driver T-boned the other vehicle. Instead, fault is usually assigned to the driver who failed to yield the right of way. These types of crashes focus on which vehicle had the right of way and which vehicle violated it. There are various ways a driver can fail to yield, including running a stop sign or a red light. T-bone auto accidents also occur when a driver hurries to make a left turn and collides with a vehicle in the intersection.
When the Driver Is Speeding
When you drive over the speed limit, you have less time to react to a tricky traffic situation or avoid a crash. When a driver speeds up to beat a light at an intersection, they put all drivers at the intersection or on that road at risk. They also make it impossible to stop in time to avoid colliding with another car that has the right of way. Victims of a T-bone accident often face more severe injuries if the at-fault driver was speeding.
When the Driver Is Impaired
When a driver gets behind the wheel while impaired due to drugs or alcohol, their judgment, reaction time, vision, and coordination may be severely compromised in the following ways:
- They may be unable to control the steering wheel, maintain lane position, or operate the car pedals properly.
- They may be unable to judge distances and react to road hazards
- They may have slower reaction times that could lead to delayed braking or steering responses.
- They may have delayed responses and not be able to stop for a pedestrian.
- They may be disoriented and confused and drive the wrong way.
Impaired driving also means the driver is more likely to engage in riskier driving behaviors. Driving while intoxicated or impaired increases the likelihood of an accident, particularly side-impact car accidents.
When the Driver Is Aggressive
Aggressive and reckless driving behaviors, such as cutting off another vehicle, tailgating, or sudden lane changes, can easily result in a T-bone car crash.
Serious Injuries in Side-Impact Collisions
Even if the at-fault driver is traveling at a relatively low speed, a T-bone collision can generate a forceful impact. Passengers on the side of the car that gets hit are especially vulnerable because there is limited structural protection on the side compared to the rear or front of the car. Here are some common injuries in a T-bone crash:
- Whiplash. It’s very common for passengers involved in a T-bone collision to suffer whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the impact of the crash causes your head to move rapidly back and forth in one direction and then the opposite. You can also suffer a sore neck and damage to your shoulder and neck muscles.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). It’s possible for a T-bone crash to result in a TBI. This type of injury can cause damage to your brain as it jostles around inside your skull. Some examples of TBIs include concussions and brain bleeds. These injuries require immediate medical attention.
- Organ shear. It’s well documented that seatbelts save lives; however, they can also factor into T-bone collision injuries. “Seatbelt syndrome” is a term used to characterize injuries that occur from seatbelt restraint. The impact of a broadside collision can result in tears to vital organs. The enormous force of impact and then sudden deceleration can result in perforations to the intestine, aorta tears, and tearing of the bowel walls.
- Neck and back injuries. These injuries can include herniated discs and spinal cord damage.
- Broken bones. During a T-bone collision, your body can get thrown into the steering wheel, dashboard, and windows. The force of impact can result in bone breaks and fractures. Affected body parts often include the neck, arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, clavicle, and skull.
- Crush injuries. If the occupants of the car are pinned in the wreckage, they may be crushed by the weight of the car and suffer severe fractures, nerve damage, and internal organ damage due to the intense pressure and force involved.
Many of these injuries require extensive medical treatment and lengthy rehabilitation. Some cause permanent disabilities that forever change the victim's life. Our Kansas City T-bone accident attorneys will fight to get their clients maximum compensation for all the ways their injuries have impacted them.
If You’re Injured in a T-Bone Car Accident
You may be overwhelmed after suffering injuries in a broadside crash. You may be in shock and unsure of what to do. To protect your health and your legal rights, follow these steps:
- Check for injuries and call 911. Get emergency medical care for anyone seriously hurt.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. It’s important not to discuss fault with the other driver.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries if you are able.
- Talk to eyewitnesses and get their names and phone numbers.
- See a doctor as soon as possible after leaving the scene. Some serious injuries do not always present right away, and it may take days or even weeks for symptoms to appear.
- Notify your insurance company that you've been in an accident. Give the basic facts of the accident and nothing more.
- Call an experienced Kansas City T-bone car accident lawyer before giving any recorded statements or signing any documents from the insurance company.
Potential Compensation for a Broadside Accident Victim
If you've been hurt in a T-bone collision, you may be entitled to recover damages for the following:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses related to the crash
- Lost wages for time missed from work
- Reduced future earning capacity if you've been disabled
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage
How Our Kansas City Attorneys Can Help
When you're faced with painful injuries and mounting bills after a T-bone crash, seeking legal representation may not be what’s first on your mind. However, having a skilled attorney manage your claim provides many benefits, including the following:
- We determine liability. We thoroughly investigate your accident to determine fault. This may involve accident reconstruction, expert analysis, and witness interviews.
- We fully value your claim. We document your injuries and losses to help ensure no damages are overlooked or undervalued.
- We negotiate with the insurance company. Insurance companies use numerous strategies to reduce payouts. We handle all communication and aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation.
- We provide guidance and support. It can be unsettling to be in a car accident. We provide trusted guidance at each step so you can focus on your recovery.
- We litigate. If the insurance company won't make a fair offer, we are fully prepared to argue your case at trial.
At Peterson Law Firm, we’re here to help you through every step after your T-bone accident. Read our case results to learn how we've helped other Kansas City accident victims get the compensation they deserve and need to move forward after a traumatic crash.
