What Type of Injury is Commonly Associated With T-Bone Accidents?

T-bone collisions sometimes referred to as side-impact or broadside collisions, happen when one car hits the side of another car. T-bone accidents most commonly occur at intersections, stop signs, or traffic lights. Sadly, these accidents often cause very serious injuries. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that out of all the fatal car crashes in 2011, 3,000 of them were T-bone accidents.

If you’ve been injured in a T-bone car accident in Los Angeles, a personal injury lawyer can give you the legal help you need to pursue claims necessary to award you compensation to help cover medical bills and losses.

T-bone accident injuries

Just like other car accident types, T-bone car accident injuries vary depending on factors such as:

• Speed of collision
• Airbags
• Impact angle
• Vehicle type
• Seatbelt use

Despite slight variations depending on the above, T-bone accidents usually lead to serious injury because the passengers and drivers are only protected from the striking vehicle by their car’s thin metal doors.  Some common T-bone collision injuries are:

• Neck – A forceful T-bone crash can cause the body to suddenly jerk, leading to neck injuries like strain, sprain, whiplash, and break.
• Back – Human backs are delicate, and a strong T-bone impact can cause back injuries such as sprains, breaks, herniated disks, pinched nerves, and other spinal cord issues.
• Head – The most common head injuries come from the head striking something, and a sideways T-bone hit often causes the head to connect with the car door, air bag, or flying debris, causing concussions or brain contusions.
• Broken Bones – As there is not much to soften the impact of a T-bone collision, the force can cause bone fractures in the pelvis, hips, arms, and ribs.

Emotional ramifications

While physical injuries are almost always discussed when it comes to car accidents, not many people are aware of the emotional trauma often associated with serious collisions like T-bones.

After an accident, even the thought of riding in a car can bring about feelings of anxiety, fear and panic. If the crash was especially traumatic, like T-bone accidents commonly are, the victim can even become afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. PTSD can lead to trouble sleeping, disassociation, panic attacks, mood swings, and depression.

Compensation for T-bone injuries and losses

T-bone collisions are serious, and lead to serious physical and emotional injuries. These injuries usually warrant some kind of compensation so the victims can cover medical bills, missed work, and other losses. One of our Los Angeles car accident attorneys can help you fight for the compensation you deserve for your T-bone accident damages.

Damages are losses associated with an accident and can include both economic and non-economic compensatory damages. Economic damages are those that have a clear dollar amount, like car repairs or medical bills, while non-economic are those that can be tougher to assess, such as suffering and pain.

Some common compensatory damages for T-bone accidents are:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repairs
• Pain and suffering
• Lost earning capacity
• Wrongful death
• Physical therapy
• Future care and treatment
• Medication and medical supplies

What if I’m partially to blame?

Under California law, you have a right to seek damages even if you’re partially to blame for a T-bone accident. The damages may be reduced based on fault.

Ellis Law Corporation

If you’ve been injured in a T-bone accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer from Ellis Law Corporation. T-bone accident injuries can lead to months of treatment and expensive medical bills, and you should not be left alone to pay for all of it without deserved compensation.

We have the tenacity and compassion necessary to help you fight for your rights after a T-bone collision. Contact Ellis Law today for a free consultation.