T-Bone Car Accidents in Washington DC

You’re driving down the street, minding your own business, when suddenly, you hear a loud crash. You look out your window and see that a car has T-boned you! What do you do? This is not a question that most people think about daily, but it’s important to know what to do when t-bone accidents occur.

If you are a car accident victim and unsure about what to do after a car accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The accident attorneys with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have years of experience helping people who have been injured in accidents get the compensation they deserve.

What is a T-Bone Accident?

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle.

What To Do If You Are in a T-Bone Accident

If you are in a t-bone or side-impact collision, your first priority should be to get yourself and any passengers out of the car. Then, you should call 911 and ask for help.

Once you have contacted emergency services, you should stay at the accident scene until they arrive. When law enforcement comes to a traffic accident, you can file a police report.

Even if you are not injured, it’s a good idea to visit the hospital after an accident like this so that medical professionals can check out your injuries. If there is any indication of a concussion or other head injury, they will want to watch you and make sure everything is okay before allowing you to leave.

Finally, If you’re feeling overwhelmed after being involved in a t-bone accident, it might be good to contact a personal injury attorney. They can help you file an insurance claim and represent you in court if you need to take an insurance company to trial.

Common Causes of T-Bone Collisions

There are many causes of T-bone accidents, but some of the most common include:

• Improper Left Turn Accidents: This is when a car turning left collides with an oncoming car going straight.
• Intersection Accident: This is when two cars collide at an intersection.
• Wrong-Way Driver: This is when a driver goes the wrong way down a one-way street or freeway.
• Distracted Driving: A driver is not paying attention to the road and causes an accident.
• Drunk Driving: A driver is drunk or high and causes an accident.
• Road Rage: One driver gets angry at another driver and causes an accident.
• Running a Stop Sign: This is when a driver fails to stop at a stop sign and causes an accident.
• Running a Red Light: This is when a driver fails to stop at a red light and causes an accident.
• Mechanical Failure: The vehicle breaks down due to mechanical failures, such as worn brakes or tires.
• Weather Conditions: Weather conditions cause accidents, such as slippery roads or low visibility.

T-Bone Accident Injuries

When t-bone accidents happen, it is common for victims to suffer injury. Some of the most common injuries include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of injury that is caused when the head and neck are whipped back and forth. It often occurs in car accidents but can also occur in other types of accidents, such as slip-and-fall accidents.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are another common injury that can occur in a T-bone accident. This is when one or more of the bones in your body fracture.

Concussion

A concussion is a type of head injury that can occur when there is a car accident. A concussion can cause a variety of symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea.  A concussion is a type of brain injury. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (also called TBI) is when the brain has been damaged due to extreme internal or external force. This can happen in many different ways, but car accidents are one of the most common causes of a brain injury

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury (also called SCI) is when the spinal cord has been damaged due to an external force.  Spinal cord injuries can potentially cause full or partial paralysis.  

How is Fault Determined in T-Bone Car Accidents?

Depending on the circumstances of a t-bone car accident, drivers may share fault. Both drivers may dispute who had the right of way. Obtaining a lawyer to collect key evidence to prove your case can help you meet your t-bone accident case expectations. 

Here are some factors that can help decide:

The Location of the Accident

Where the accident occurred can give investigators clues to where the blame for the crash lies.

Speeding

If a car was going too fast for conditions and caused an accident, they will be found at fault. If both cars were speeding, the courts may decide that neither party is completely at fault or blameless.

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

If one driver ran a red light, then they will be found to be at fault.

Automobile Manufacturers

Manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their vehicles, so if there is a design flaw or manufacturing defect in the vehicle that caused an accident, then they may be held liable as well.

Road Engineers and Municipalities

If a road is poorly designed or inadequately maintained, then the municipality or road engineers may be held liable. For example, if a street has potholes that cause an accident, then the municipality may be held liable.

Who Is At Fault When There is No Intersection?

If the t-bone collision occurred on the road and there was no intersection, then it is likely that the driver who was going the wrong way is at fault. For instance, a car exiting a driveway or parking lot would be responsible for yielding the right of way to a car traveling on the street. 

Filing a Lawsuit After a T-Bone Accident

If you have been injured in a T-Bone accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. This will allow our legal team to investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Why You Need an Attorney After a T-Bone Crash

There are many reasons why you need an attorney after a t-bone accident. Some of the most important include:

• Attorneys know how to investigate complex traffic accidents, especially those involving car rollovers. They can gather evidence and prove that your accident was caused by another driver or defective vehicle.
• Attorneys understand insurance company tactics and can help you get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.
• An attorney can provide emotional support and guidance through the legal process.

How Attorneys Prove Liability in T-bone Accidents

The first thing the attorney will do is gather evidence. They may use witness statements, police reports, medical records, and other pieces of evidence to prove who was at fault for causing the accident.

They may also hire an expert or investigator to determine what caused the accident. The car accident lawyer will then present this information in court and try to get a settlement or judgment in favor of their client.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Recoverable Damages in a T-Bone Accident

If you have been injured in a collision accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The following types of damages are typically recoverable if the evidence shows that another driver was negligent:

• Medical Expenses
• Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress 
• Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses

What is the Value of My Case?

Many factors go into determining the value of your case. These include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

Here are a few of our case results:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact an Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.