T-Bone Accidents May Cause Serious Damage to the Occupants of the Vehicle Impacted on the Side
According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, 270,000 to 280,000 auto accidents occur each year in the state, and one quarter of them happen at intersections, where T-Bone accidents typically occur. T-Bone accidents cause approximately 8,000 deaths and 69,000 serious to critical injuries each year in the U.S. as a whole.
If you’ve been involved in this type of accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you take the necessary steps to recover the money you’ve outlaid for medical expenses, wages lost from time away from work, and for the pain you’ve endured. This attorney must be very skilled in New Jersey personal injury law. At Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh of 50 years of legal practice in personal injury litigation informs our approach to handling claims on behalf of injured victims in T-bone accidents and other types of collisions on the roadways of New Jersey. If you would like to discuss your potential grounds for a T-Bone Accident claim with an experienced personal injury attorney today, contact our office in Monmouth County at 732-440-3950.
Understanding the Mechanics of a T-Bone Accident in NJ
T-bone collisions, commonly referred to as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape. These types of accidents can be particularly dangerous because the occupants of the struck vehicle may have less protection from the impact, as the sides of vehicles are typically less reinforced than the fronts and backs.
T-bone accidents can also be caused by one vehicle running a red light or stop sign or by one driver failing to yield the right of way to another driver. If you’ve been involved in a T-bone accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured.
Most Frequent Injuries that Occur in T-Bone Accidents
The most common injuries in T-bone accidents are injuries to the head, neck, and chest. These can include concussion, brain injury, neck strain or sprain, and broken bones. T-bone accidents can also result in more serious injuries, such as spinal cord injury, paralysis, internal organ damage, and even death.
The severity of the injuries depends on a number of factors, including the speed of the vehicles involved, the size and weight of the vehicles, and whether or not the occupants were wearing seatbelts. If you’ve been involved in a T-bone accident and are experiencing any symptoms such as headache, dizziness, neck pain, or difficulty breathing, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Establishing Fault in a T-Bone Collision
Determining fault in a T-bone car accident can be complex, as it will depend on the specific circumstances of the crash. Some common factors that may be considered in determining fault include which driver had the right of way, whether either driver was speeding or driving recklessly, and whether either driver was distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In general, if one driver was violating a traffic law or was otherwise behaving negligently at the time of the accident, that driver may be found at fault. For example, if one driver ran a red light or stop sign and struck the other vehicle, that driver may be considered at fault. On the other hand, if both drivers were behaving responsibly and the accident was simply a matter of one driver failing to yield the right of way, fault may be more difficult to determine.
It’s important to note that fault can be shared in a T-bone accident, meaning that both drivers may be found to be partially at fault. In these cases, the amount of fault attributed to each driver will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident and the laws of the state in which it occurred.
Can I Sue After a T-Bone Accident in New Jersey?
Yes, you may be able to sue someone for T-boning you, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the laws of the State of New Jersey. If the other driver was behaving negligently or recklessly at the time of the accident, you might be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against that driver to seek compensation for your damages.
In order to succeed in a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident and that you suffered damages as a result. You will also need to show that your damages were a direct result of the accident and were not caused by some other factor.
It’s important to note that every state has its own laws governing personal injury lawsuits, so it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and options if you’ve been involved in a T-bone accident. An attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your case and advise you on the best course of action.
Actions Following a T-Bone Accident
If you are involved in a T-bone (side-impact) car accident—or any type of accident, for that matter, it is important to take the following steps:
Check for injuries
After any car accident, it is important to assess your own injuries and the injuries of any passengers in your vehicle.
Seek medical attention
Even if you feel fine and other passengers say they feel fine, even if any injuries seem minor, call 911 for medical assistance. A medical evaluation is crucial to a personal injury claim you file later. Bear in mind that some injuries, such as whiplash, may not show symptoms until days after the accident.
Call the police
Even if the accident seems minor, it is important to call the police and report the accident. The police will create an official report, which may be helpful if you need to file a claim with your insurance company or if there is any legal dispute over the accident.
Exchange information
Exchange information with the other driver, including your name, contact information, and insurance information. Also, make a note of the make, model, and license plate number of the other vehicle.
Take pictures
If you have a smartphone, use it to take pictures of the damage to both vehicles, as well as any visible injuries. These pictures can be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim.
Contact your insurance company
After the accident, you should contact your insurance company to report the accident and begin the process of filing a claim.
How Is Fault Determined in Side Impact Collisions in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, fault in a T-bone accident is determined using the principle of negligence. In order to prove negligence in a car accident case, you must be able to show that the other driver owed you a duty of care, that they breached this duty of care, and that this breach caused your injuries and damages.
There are several pieces of evidence that can be used to prove negligence in a T-bone accident case in New Jersey:
- Police report: The police report created after the accident may include information about the circumstances of the accident and any citations that were issued to the other driver.
- Witness statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, their statements could help to establish what happened and who was at fault.
- Photos and videos: Photos or videos of the accident scene, including damage to the vehicles and any visible injuries, can be helpful in proving fault.
- Expert testimony: An expert witness, such as an accident reconstruction specialist, can provide testimony about how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
- Medical records: Medical records can help to establish the extent of your injuries and the treatment you received as a result of the accident.
It is important to note that in New Jersey, the doctrine of comparative negligence applies, which means that if you were partially at fault for the accident, your damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault and the other driver was 80% at fault, you would only be able to recover damages from the other driver for 80% of your losses.
Engage a West Long Branch Personal Injury Attorney to Assist You After a T-Bone Accident in NJ
Our attorneys at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh can help you in several ways after a T-bone accident. First, we can help you to file an insurance claim for damages resulting from the accident, including damages to your vehicle and any medical expenses you incurred as a result of the accident. We can also negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company to try to reach a settlement that covers your damages and losses. If it is not possible to reach a settlement with the other driver’s insurance company, our lawyers can help you to file a lawsuit against the other driver to seek compensation for your damages and losses. In order to recover damages in a car accident case, you must be able to prove that the other driver was at fault. An attorney on our personal injury team can help you to gather and present evidence to support your claim that the other driver was negligent. Finally, our lawyers can help you to understand your rights and options after a car accident and can work to protect your interests throughout the legal process.
If you have been involved in a T-bone car accident and are considering filing a claim in Middletown, Red Bank, Little Silver, Belmar, Holmdel, Freehold, Manasquan, Asbury Park, or another area in Ocean and Monmouth County, it is important to choose an attorney who has experience handling car accident cases and who is familiar with the laws of New Jersey. Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh‘s attorneys have the skills and knowledge, plus years of experience in getting the best compensation available for people involved in these types of accidents. Call us today at 732-440-3950 for a free evaluation of your case.