T-Bone Collision

A T-bone, also known as a side-impact or broadside collision, happens when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape at the point of impact. Approximately 8,000 people are killed every year in the US in T-bone collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). T-bone accidents can be extremely dangerous. They can cause rollovers, airbags to deploy, drivers and passengers being ejected or partially ejected from their vehicle, and can cause fatal spine and brain injuries.

T-bone accidents are usually caused by one driver failing to yield to another driver who has the right of way, like when a driver makes a dangerous left turn at an intersection thinking that they will miss an oncoming car. If you have been injured due to another’s negligence, then you could recover financial compensation for your losses and suffering, and Roberts | Jeandron Injury Attorneys can help.

Light T-Bone accident between two vehicles

Damages In A T-Bone Collision

There are two types of compensatory damages that you can receive in a T-bone collision: economic damages and noneconomic damages.

Economic damages in T-bone collisions tend to be high because they are more injurious and lead to greater medical costs. Your medical expenses include the ambulance ride, hospitalization, any surgeries you had in the hospital, prescription medications, follow-up care with doctors, and physical therapy or rehabilitation. Lost wages compensate you for the time you have missed from work due to your injuries. If you are unable to return to work, then you can file for future lost earning potential. You can also receive compensation for the damage done to your vehicle. Other out-of-pocket expenses range from childcare to transportation and vary depending on the circumstances surrounding each case.

T-bone collisions are more than just damaging to the physical body. They result in pain and suffering, which have complex psychological repercussions. Victims can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects. Victims who suffer from permanent disfigurement, paralysis, the loss of the use of a limb or organ, blindness, deafness, or other permanent disability receive more compensation for their pain and suffering.

Heavy T-Bone accident on a highway

Injuries From A T-Bone Collision

T-bone collisions are often fatal and can lead to serious, life-threatening injuries.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Nerves run from your brain down your spinal cord and throughout the rest of your body, sending communications and signals all the time. The spinal cord runs down the center of the back and is protected by 24 vertebrae. In an accident, those vertebrae can fracture and puncture the spinal cord. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis, numbness or tingling, and the inability to control one’s bladder or bowel movements. Victims of severe spinal cord injuries may never be able to live independently again. Some are able to regain their physical independence after years of expensive and laborious physical therapy.

Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Traumatic brain injuries are either caused by the forceful impact of the brain against the inner walls of the skull during the collision or by an object penetrating the skull. TBI results in a wide array of symptoms such as extreme headache, loss of consciousness, confusion, convulsions, and dizziness. In severe cases, the victim may never be able to care for themselves independently again. Examples of TBI include:

  • Hematoma
  • Diffuse axonal injury
  • Edema
  • Concussion

Broken Bones

Bone fractures can be simple or complex, depending on the amount of force on the body. A simple fracture is able to heal over time and after being set in a cast or a sling. Complex fractures, on the other hand, will require surgery to realign the bone as well as nails, screws, and plates to hold the bone in place while it heals. Afterward, the victim of a complex bone fracture will need physical therapy.

Talk To a T-Bone Collision Attorney Today

You don’t have to face this alone. Call Roberts | Jeandron Injury Attorneys at 949-238-1679 to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation with a personal injury attorney specializing in T-bone accidents. We have recovered over $75 million for our clients in California and are ready and eager to fight for your fair and just compensation.