Many Americans are noticing an increase in aggressive driving behavior. In a recent Pew Research survey, 51% of respondents said drivers weren’t as safe as they were five years ago. That’s partially because distracted and reckless driving go hand in hand. 78% of respondents to the survey saw distraction from cell phones as a major issue.
Despite efforts to reduce reckless driving, it can still lead to accidents. Reckless behavior is often the primary cause of a T-bone accident. Also known as a side-impact or broadside crash, it occurs when the front of a car hits the broad side of another in a T shape.
These accidents almost always happen at intersections. They’re often caused by one driver not obeying road rules, such as running red lights. Distracted or impaired driving is also usually at play.
Read on to learn what you should do after a T-bone accident to protect yourself and your rights.
Ensure Safety
The first item on any post-accident checklist is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Drive the car to a safe location off the road and stop to prevent another accident.
Check to see if anyone is injured. A T-bone accident can massively damage vehicles and lead to several types of injuries. These may include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Contusions and lacerations
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries such as whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
The accident can even lead to fatalities. When passengers or drivers are pushed up against the side of a vehicle, they aren’t as protected from the force of the crash.
Call Emergency Services and Seek Medical Attention
Dial 911 and report the accident if there are any injuries. A T-bone accident is an emergency because it can severely damage cars and cause symptoms that don’t show up for a long time after the initial impact.
If necessary, request medical attention. Let medical professionals examine you at the scene. Visit the hospital as soon as possible, even if you don’t have any concerning symptoms.
Document the Accident and Preserve the Evidence
It’s easy to skip one of the important steps after a car crash because of shock. You may be too emotionally affected to remember it, but if you can’t, find someone nearby who can.
Document as much of the scene as possible. Take pictures of the accident scene, especially any injuries or damage to vehicles. Get contact information from any witnesses. Ask for a copy of the police report. Gather your medical records for any treatment you receive.
Keep your evidence organized and easy to access later. This will help with your insurance claim and when you take the case to court.
Exchange Information and Notify Your Insurance Company
Any T-bone accident guide needs to include the importance of communicating with everyone else on the scene.
Talk to any witnesses or other drivers involved in the accident. Get their name and insurance information.
Send in a claim to your insurance company as soon as possible. Notify them of the accident and everything involved. Waiting too long can limit the compensation you receive.
Avoid admitting fault at this stage. Accepting any responsibility for the accident, even if you’re not to blame, could be used against you later in insurance filings or court proceedings.
Consult a Legal Professional
Get professional car accident legal advice as soon as you feel well enough. You can’t trust your insurance company to give you proper compensation for your losses in the accident. You also can’t trust them to believe you’re not to blame.
Your lawyer will know what to do after an accident, using evidence to establish who or what is at fault. They’ll also get you the compensation you deserve.
Establishing Fault
Proving who’s at fault in a T-bone accident case can be difficult. The problem lies in determining who was driving negligently.
It is possible to have what is known as shared or comparative fault. For example, if one driver was speeding and the other ran a red light, compensation would be split between them.
It’s also possible that the vehicle manufacturer is to blame. Perhaps a vehicle defect prevented a driver from slowing down properly. Even malfunctioning traffic lights that didn’t signal a vehicle to stop at the right time could shoulder some of the blame.
Using Evidence
Your lawyer can utilize the various levels of proof to establish blame and support your case. They may perform an accident reconstruction to show what happened. Dashcam or stoplight footage provides an objective view.
This is the part of the process where you don’t have to step back and watch anymore. If you’ve prepared well enough, you can provide the evidence that could win your case.
Your attorney can use the pictures or videos you took when documenting the case. Providing a physical representation of the damage or injuries sustained is more powerful than anything they could say.
Getting Fair Compensation
Your attorney is on your side and not the insurance company’s, so they won’t take the first offer they receive. They’ll get you the maximum level of compensation possible for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Don’t wait too long to find an attorney and get started. There is a statute of limitations on T-bone accident claims. You could miss out on compensation if you go beyond it.
Find a Team Who Can Win Your T-Bone Accident Case
A T-bone accident is one of the worst types of car crashes imaginable. It’s a traumatic event, but knowing how to respond helps minimize injury and maximize your settlement.
Ensure everyone is safe and gets proper medical treatment. Gather evidence and everyone’s contact information. The final step is to get legal representation to take your auto accident to court.
RHINO Lawyers uses modern, convenient methods to make talking about your case as easy as texting a friend. We balance efficiency and connection to get you the settlement you deserve as soon as possible. Contact us for a case evaluation today.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
