A T-bone accident is one of the most severe types of car accidents that leads to fatalities. Also known as an “angle” car accident, about 8,000 individuals per year die in these crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, T-bone accidents account for half of all motor vehicle deaths.
When a driver suffers a T-bone collision, they have little protection, which is why this type of accident often results in severe injury or death. If you have sustained serious injuries from a T-bone accident, do not hesitate to call the compassionate car accident attorneys at Matz Injury Law at 866-226-6833. Our Michigan law firm will fight hard for you to help you get what you need to cover your medical bills and other losses.
A T-bone accident is when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another, with the car crash resembling a “T.” Often referred to as “right angle” or “side impact” accidents, T-bone crashes frequently occur at intersections where two roads cross.
T-bones also occur on major roadways, such as interstates or other highways, where a driver loses control of their vehicle, crashing into other vehicles. Unfortunately, T-bone accidents typically happen with little warning, and other drivers navigating their vehicles have no time to react to evade colliding with a negligent driver.
Recklessness, carelessness, or negligence when driving are leading factors contributing to T-bone crashes. These behaviors include:
Motorists running red lights or stop signs put other drivers in harm’s way. Chances are the driver disobeying traffic laws will run into other right-of-way vehicles navigating through an intersection. Tragically, it’s common for a yellow traffic signal to signal negligent motorists to “speed up” to get through the light before it changes. Many times they do not make it and quickly collide with an unassuming driver who is following traffic rules.
Reckless driving behaviors, including lane weaving, drag racing, DUI, distracted driving, or other poor driving actions, often result in side-impact collisions. Attentive drivers who competently and responsibly drive significantly reduce the chances of a broadside crash occurring.
Drivers making left-hand turns are vulnerable to being hit on the side by oncoming vehicles that neglect to yield, resulting in a side-impact collision.
When motorists lose control of their cars or trucks, a T-bone vehicle crash can occur. Causes of vehicles suddenly shifting on highways or other roads are often caused by distracted driving, tires losing traction, bad weather, or other types of reckless driving behaviors.
Dangerous intersections with poor design, lighting, or other circumstances can contribute to a devastating T-bone crash. Weather conditions can also contribute. Given the right conditions, T-bone crashes occur in both urban and rural areas. Just taking your eyes off the road for mere seconds can lead to side-impact crashes.
Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence law when accidents occur. This means both drivers can share fault in an accident. Law enforcement will investigate and collect evidence, and insurance companies will speak to all parties and assign a percentage of the blame. Sometimes a third driver, road engineer, road designers, local transportation department, or other entity could share fault in an accident, depending upon specific circumstances.
After any collision, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced Michigan attorney right away. Insurance companies are notorious for bullying victims into accepting some level of blame even if they are not at fault so they can reduce their financial responsibility to pay for damages and losses, essentially cutting victims out of the compensation they deserve.
Collisions are terrifying and, in a split second, can change your life. Injuries and wrongful deaths are sadly common in T-bone collisions. Common injuries include:
A vehicle striking a car directly where a person is sitting often causes damage to internal organs, including the heart, liver, gallbladder, spleen, lungs, stomach, or intestines. Internal injuries are often severe and need immediate medical evaluation, treatment, or surgery.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are very common in all types of car accidents. T-bones create such a strong force that they often lead to TBIs, which include concussions. A victim’s head can experience hard shaking back and forth, causing a coup-contrecoup injury. If a head hits the window, dashboard, steering wheel, or another part of the car, a frontal lobe injury or another injury to the brain can occur.
Since a side impact accident usually aligns with a person’s hip or waist, victims can sustain significant injuries to the hips and legs, including bruises, fractures, or worse.
Whiplash is commonly associated with car accidents. Victims suffer from pain, cervical muscle sprains, or injuries to the spine and its discs. Unfortunately, the worst whiplash and spinal cord injuries require substantial medical intervention.
Broken bone injuries often occur in side impact crashes. Victims often struggle with broken legs, arms, wrists, ribs, and other bones.
When a car collides directly into another vehicle’s side, it can harm the victim’s shoulders or back, leading to broken bones, torn ligaments and muscles, damage to discs, torn rotator cuffs, and more. Injuries can range from mild to severe, possibly even requiring surgical involvement.
In the aftermath of a Michigan T-bone accident, you should immediately take the following steps.
Collect the information of any other drivers in the accident. Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, license plate, make and model of car, and their insurance company’s information.
Call local authorities right away so a police officer can document the accident and generate an accident report, which will prove to be very important in the future.
To get quick assistance, call 911 for emergency situations or if someone is clearly hurt. Even if you or your passengers do not immediately feel hurt, seek treatment from a trustworthy healthcare professional as soon as possible after the crash.
If able, gather evidence from the accident scene. Take photos and videos of the vehicles, the crash scene, skid marks, road conditions, signage, traffic lights, and other pertinent information. Also, collect the personal information of any witnesses who saw the collision.
Do not delay in filing a no-fault benefits application with your own insurance company so you can receive money to help pay for medical expenses and lost wages if you are unable to return to work. Michigan state law dictates you must file your claim within one year from the date of the collision. If you fail to do this, this can disqualify you from receiving no-fault benefits. Not filing may also be an obstacle down the road in suing for unpaid benefits.
Call a personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in Michigan car accident law. By working with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney, such as Matz Injury Law, you can rest assured you will have someone by your side from start to finish who will advocate on your behalf. An attorney will:
We will do our utmost to protect your rights during the process ensuing after your car accident. You can focus on your recovery and taking care of your family.
T-bone injuries are devasting. If you or a loved one are struggling after being involved in a motor vehicle accident and need to sue for pain and suffering, count on Matz Injury Law to be in your corner. Our personal injury attorneys truly understand the physical, emotional, and financial difficulties people suffer after experiencing this type of traumatic accident.
When you contact our law firm, we can provide you with a free consultation or case evaluation. It is our goal to provide the best sound legal advice to help you get the money you deserve. Matz Injury Law will not collect any fees unless you win. Then, we only accept 22% of the auto accident award, not the industry standard of 33%.
Ready to get started? Call our caring attorneys today at 866-226-6833 or fill out our online contact form.
Steven J. Matz is a founding shareholder of Matz Injury Law. The firm’s concentration is on personal injury litigation, with an emphasis on traumatic brain injury.
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The maximum contingency fee permitted by law is actually 331/3%. Michigan court rules require that the attorney fee be computed on the net sum recovered after deducting all disbursements properly chargeable to the enforcement of the claim.
We can charge 22% while virtually all other injury attorneys charge 331/3% because we are very, very, good at obtaining results for our clients.
We do not spend millions of dollars on television ads; instead, we offer a lower fee to all our clients. We do not have dozens of lower paid associates handling our work. All our clients are represented by Steven and Jared Matz. Steven Matz started the firm in 1977 and since then has dedicated his life to representing injury victims. Jared joined the firm in 2016 but grew up listening to stories, discussing theories, and generally learning at the dinner table about how to effectively and compassionately represent injury victims. Jared Matz was literally born to represent individuals involved in motor vehicle crashes.
All of our cases are handled on a contingency fee and all our cases are handled at 22%. Whether the case settles or goes through trial, the fee does not change. While our competitors make excuses as to why they charge so much, we are obtaining results for our clients at a lower fee.
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