One in every four passenger vehicle deaths occurred after side-impact accidents in 2013, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and many more drivers and passengers were seriously injured in these types of accidents. Accordingly, it is important to know what caused these accidents, what types of injuries commonly occurred from these accidents, and what you should do if a T-bone crash resulted in your own injury or the death of a loved one.
Common Causes of Side-Impact Crashes
T-bone accidents occur when one vehicle collides with another from the side, making a “T” shape. These types of crashes are often the result of a car failing to stop for a red light or stop sign and striking another car that is proceeding legally through an intersection.
Types of Injuries Caused by T-Bone Accidents
While it is always important to wear a seatbelt, seatbelts do not have the same protective qualities in side-impact crashes that they have in other types of accidents; thus, motorists may be at greater risk of injury in side-impact accidents. Some of the common injuries that result from side-impact accidents include:
- Neck injuries: Sudden, forceful movements to the neck can cause it to become injured. Injuries commonly sustained are: whiplash and a strained, sprained, or broken neck.
- Back injuries: The back is a very intricate and sensitive part of the body that can be damaged during a side-impact wreck. Common back injuries associated with this type of collision include pinched nerves, slipped discs, and a sprained or broken back.
- Head injuries: A head injury can be caused from many factors during a side-impact collision. The direct hit, deployment of air bags, moving debris, or the door crushing in can cause damage to the head and face. Head injuries can range from small cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries.
- Broken bones: Because of the location of side-impact crashes, the passenger may be subject to the full, direct force of the other vehicle. This heavy impact can cause bones to splinter.
- Death: Many of the injuries described above can result in death after side collision accidents.
The speed with which the collision occurs and the exact point of the collision significantly impact the type of injury that results from a T-bone crash.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt or a Loved One Has Been Killed in a T-Bone Wreck
If you have been injured or your loved one has died in a side-impact crash, then you need to know what to do next. You need to know how to get the fair recovery that you deserve for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages. Together with an experienced car accident lawyer, you can find the evidence that you need and fight for your fair recovery during insurance settlement negotiations or at trial.
For more information about how to protect your rights after a T-bone accident leaves you injured or kills your loved one, you can contact us online or call our office directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. We have been helping car accident victims since 1964 and service clients throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
