Carlsbad T-bone accidents can cause significant damage, painful injuries, and significant consequences for victims. If you were injured, an experienced Carlsbad accident lawyer from the Miller & Steele Law Firm can explain your legal rights and options for recovering compensation.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
A T-bone accident occurs when one vehicle crashes into the side of another, striking perpendicularly and forming the letter T. These accidents are also called broadside collisions or side-impact crashes.
Many T-bone accidents occur at intersections when drivers are traveling in different directions, but they can also happen at other locations. These crashes can cause serious injuries and fatalities due to vehicles having less effective safety equipment on their sides and the high speeds at which drivers may be traveling when they collide. At high speeds, the impacted vehicle can crumple due to the limited protection provided by only the door and window between the two vehicles.
What Injuries Often Occur in a T-Bone Accident?
T-bone accidents can cause various severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
These injuries can result in permanent disabilities and impairments, ongoing pain, and long recovery periods.
Financial Compensation You Can Recover After a T-Bone Accident?
California is an at-fault state for car accidents, so the car accident victim can recover compensation for the full extent of the harm they suffered in the accident, including:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace a damaged vehicle
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Physical discomfort
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your Carlsbad T-bone accident lawyer can help identify the insurance coverage that can help cover your losses, including the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, your insurance, and uninsured/underinsured insurance. They can also explain when it makes sense to file a personal injury lawsuit in Carlsbad against the at-fault driver.
Who Is Liable for a T-Bone Accident in Carlsbad?
T-bone accidents often occur at intersections where drivers must follow specific rules based on traffic signs or signals. The driver violating the law, such as running a red light or failing to yield, may be at fault for the accident. However, it’s often unclear who is at fault for these accidents, and the drivers’ accounts may differ significantly. It may require strong evidence to establish fault, such as:
- Traffic camera footage
- Event data recorders
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident scene
- Physical evidence, such as skid marks and the location of property damage
If both drivers contributed to the accident, California’s comparative negligence rules can apply. Under these rules, the injured victim can still recover compensation for their injuries, but their compensation is reduced by their degree of fault.
Contact Our Carlsbad T-Bone Accident Attorneys for Legal Representation
If you or a loved one was injured in a T-bone accident, an experienced T-bone accident lawyer from the Miller & Steele Law Firm can help. Our dedicated lawyers can help you navigate the insurance claims process and pursue fair compensation for your damages. Contact us today for a free case review.