T-bone accidents refer to those exceptionally dangerous accidents when one vehicle plows headlong into the side of another, and they are most common at intersections (where traffic traveling in all directions converges and continues on in varied directions). If another driver’s negligence causes you to be injured in a T-bone accident, an experienced Kansas City car accident attorney can help.
Dangers Inherent to T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents are made all the more dangerous by the fact that the sides of our vehicles don’t have the protective buffer offered by the trunk at the back and the hood at the front (both of which are known as crumple zones). T-bone accidents are also closely associated with multiple car accidents – when the struck car is jettisoned from the side into another lane of traffic, and unsuspecting motorists have neither the time nor the space on the road to react safely. All told, T-bone accidents are exceptionally dangerous.
Driver Negligence
These side-impact accidents are very common in intersections – where the effects of driver negligence are most likely to be amplified. Unfortunately, driver negligence can come in nearly limitless forms, but there are several basic categories that typically apply.
Distraction
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares several sobering statistics related to distracted driving, including:
- In 2019, 3,142 people lost their lives in accidents in which distracted driving played a role. NHTSA reminds us that each of these accidents was preventable.
- In 2019, 9 percent of fatal car accidents involved distracted driving.
- In the years from 2012 to 2019, about 26,000 people lost their lives in car accidents involving distracted driving.
Distracted drivers are far more likely to enter an intersection when it is dangerous to do so, which makes them far more likely to cause T-bone accidents.
Impairment
Drunk drivers take driving dangerously to entirely new levels, and they cause some of the most serious accidents on our roadways, including T-bone accidents.
Exhaustion
Drowsy driving is associated with cognitive and physical impairments that are similar to those caused by alcohol, which makes drowsy driving far more dangerous than many motorists recognize and, as a result, leaves them more likely to cause T-bone accidents.
Excess Speed
Excess speed makes accidents, including T-bone accidents, not only more likely but also more deadly. When a motorist chooses to ignore the speed limit or to drive at a speed that does not safely accommodate the present condition of the road, he or she is far more likely to dart forward into an intersection when it is unsafe to do so, and a T-bone accident is a likely end result. The old saying that speed kills is just as applicable today as it ever was.
Reach out to an Experienced Kansas City Car Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in a T-bone accident, the skilled car accident attorneys at Krause & Kinsman Law Firm – proudly serving Kansas City – are well positioned and well prepared to skillfully advocate for your case’s best possible resolution. Our resourceful legal team cares about your case and is here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 816-307-2763 for more information today.
FAQ
How much will a car accident attorney cost?
Most reputable car accident attorneys work on what is known as a contingency basis. This means that you won’t pay anything unless your case either ends in a settlement or court award. At this time, your car accident attorney will receive a predetermined percentage of the compensation you receive.
What kinds of damages can I seek?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you can seek compensation for all the following:
- Property damage to your vehicle
- The medical costs you incur
- Any losses in wages you experience
- Both your physical and emotional pain and suffering
What kinds of injuries are commonly associated with T-bone accidents?
While the impact of a T-bone accident can lead to nearly any kind of physical injury, some of the most common include:
- Broken bones
- Serious cuts and burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash
