Fayetteville, AR T-Bone Car Accident Lawyer
T-bone accidents are frequently responsible for causing motorists to suffer severe injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 3,000 fatal car accidents in the United States were caused by T-bone collisions in 2017. T-bone car accidents usually occur when one or two vehicles are traveling at high speed towards an intersection. The speed of these accidents will usually result in a vehicle’s occupants suffering serious injuries. If you or a family member was seriously injured in a T-bone collision, you should contact an experienced Fayetteville T-bone car accident lawyer.
Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, can help you file a car accident lawsuit against a negligent driver. You should not have to deal with expensive medical bills and other consequences due to another person’s negligence. To schedule a free legal consultation, call our law offices at (479) 316-0438.
What is a T-Bone Collision?
A T-bone collision, also known as a broadside collision, occurs when one vehicle strikes another in a perpendicular “T” shape.
T-bone collisions are some of the most dangerous accidents that a motorist could be involved in. These car accidents are deadlier than most other accidents because they occur in an area of the car that does not have a lot of protection. Additionally, T-bone collisions involving an SUV or commercial vehicle are especially dangerous because of the sheer weight and size of those vehicles, which can crush the victim’s car.
Common Causes of Broadside Collisions
There are several reasons why a broadside collision may occur:
- A motorist running a stop sign or red light
- Failing to follow yield signs
- A motorist unknowingly drifting into another lane
- A driver improperly merging into another lane
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Vehicle malfunctions
- Illegal U-turns
Common Injuries Caused by Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions can cause various types of injuries for all motorists involved in the accident. One type of injury commonly caused by side-impact collisions is traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are caused when a motorist or passenger suffer trauma to their head, like striking their head against a car window or another hard surface.
Broken bones and fractures are other injuries that are commonly caused by T-bone collisions. As mentioned above, vehicles tend to have less protection around the doors of the car; this can lead to a driver or passenger having broken ribs. When a side-impact accident occurs, there is a risk that an occupant could be partially ejected through a side window, which may also lead to broken bones or lacerations.
It is also possible to suffer whiplash in a T-bone accident. Whiplash occurs when a person’s head rapidly moves forward and snaps back into place due to a sudden impact. While whiplash typically occurs with rear- or front-impact accidents, it is also possible with side-impact collisions.
Other injuries that commonly occur because of T-bone car accidents include the following:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Back and neck injuries
- Dislocated limbs
If you suffer any of these injuries or another type of injury in a T-bone crash, you should seek immediate medical attention.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a T-Bone Crash
If you are in a T-bone crash, the first thing you should do is ensure the safety of everyone involved the accident. If anyone needs medical attention, you should call an ambulance and law enforcement to the scene. If possible, make sure your vehicle is not stopped inside an intersection or another unsafe area.
Next, you should exchange information with the driver who struck your vehicle. Make sure that you get their driver’s license info, address, vehicle registration info, insurance policy information, license plate number, and make and model of their vehicle. You should also take photographs of the damage to all vehicles involved and make a note of any adverse weather conditions that may have caused the crash.
Once law enforcement arrives at the scene of the accident and conducts an investigation, you should request a copy of the police report. If you have to go to the hospital because you sustained a serious injury in a T-bone crash, you should inform the medical staff of how you received your injuries. This will help you to document your injuries in anticipation of litigation. Also, be sure to notify your insurance carrier of the accident as soon as possible.
Consult with an Experienced Arkansas T-Bone Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or a family member was injured in a serious broadside collision, you should consult with an experienced Arkansas car accident attorney today. Ken Kieklak has nearly 20 years of legal experience that he will use to help you with your injury claim. Ken is dedicated to providing you with legal representation that is catered to your unique needs. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law today at (479) 316-0438.