Philadelphia T-Bone Accident Attorney
T-bone accidents are both more common and more dangerous than you may realize. These accidents typically occur in intersections – where motorists who are traveling in all different directions converge. Distraction, impairment, and excess speed are common causes of T-bone accidents, and if you’ve been so injured, you shouldn’t wait to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania T-bone accident attorney.
What Is a T-Bone Accident?
T-bone accidents refer to accidents in which one motorist drives their vehicle headlong into the side of another driver’s vehicle – forming the shape of a T in the process. Motorists are most likely to strike one another at this angle when their paths cross in intersections or when one vehicle enters a road from an adjacent parking structure, parking lot, alley, or driveway.
The sides of our vehicles lack the protection of the trunk at the rear and the hood at the front, which makes these side-impact accidents that much more dangerous.
Driver negligence in all the following forms can lead to a T-bone accident:
- A distracted driver who fails to ensure that it’s safe to enter an intersection
- A drunk driver whose impairment impedes their ability to navigate an intersection safely
- A driver whose excess speed increases the risk of any kind of accident happening, including a T-bone accident
- A drowsy driver whose exhaustion leads to dangerous driving practices
What Is the Proper Term for a T-Bone Accident?
While many people use the term T-bone accident, there are other – more technical – terms that apply, including:
- Broadside collisions
- Side-impact crashes
- Right-angle collisions
Regardless of what the accident is called, however, T-bone accidents can cause considerable physical, financial, and emotional losses that should not be overlooked.
Are T-Bone Accidents Common in Pennsylvania?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), T-bone accidents, which it refers to as angle collisions, accounted for 18.2 percent of all fatal traffic accidents throughout the nation, including Pennsylvania, in a recent year. This makes T-bone accidents the number one cause of traffic fatalities over rear-end, sideswipe, and head-on collisions. Additional statistics include:
- There were 6,039 fatal T-bone accidents.
- T-bone accidents led to 531,000 injury-causing accidents, which put them in second position after rear-end accidents.
- T-bone accidents accounted for nearly 28 percent of all injury-causing accidents.
"The outcome of a case often comes down to preparation. We build every claim as if it may go to trial."
What to Do after You’ve Been in a T-bone Accident
While every T-bone accident involves its own unique set of circumstances, there are specific steps every accident victim should take to help protect their health and well-being as well as their car accident claim. These include:
- Accept medical attention at the scene of the accident, and if it’s not offered, seek the medical attention you need as soon as possible.
- Don’t comment on the accident, accept blame for the accident, or make a blanket apology at the scene of the accident. Doing so can come back to harm your claim.
- Follow the medical instructions provided to you by your doctor carefully. This is not only the right path to follow in terms of your recovery but also demonstrates that your injuries are as serious as you claim.
- Consult with a seasoned car accident attorney as soon after the accident as you can, and work closely with your attorney throughout the legal process.
- Refrain from providing the insurance company with a statement and from posting on social media, such as Instagram and Facebook. Insurance companies are all too skilled at turning innocent comments into claim-damaging statements.
- Don’t accept a settlement offer from the insurance company before discussing the matter with your trusted car accident attorney – who is up to speed with the specifics of your claim.
What Damages Can I Get in a Philadelphia T-Bone Accident?
The truth is that the damages associated with a T-bone accident can be considerable, and they generally break down into several basic categories of loss.
Property Damage
A T-bone accident in which another driver plows directly into the side of your vehicle can cause an immense amount of property damage to your vehicle. In fact, it’s not unusual even for newer cars to be totaled in these side-impact accidents.
Medical Expenses
The kinds of injuries common to T-bone accidents include all the following:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash
- Serious burns, cuts, and abrasions,
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Any one of these can lead to considerable medical expenses up-front, but they can also require ongoing medical care.
Lost Wages
A serious injury can leave you off the job for a serious amount of time, which can lead to lost earnings. If your ability to do your job, advance your career, or increase your earning potential over time is affected, the financial hit you experience will be that much more significant.
Pain and Suffering
Being injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence is as terrifying as it is dangerous, and along with this comes considerable physical and emotional pain and suffering. A T-bone accident can leave you extremely shaken, and you may experience PTSD-like effects such as the following:
- Accident flashbacks
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased anxiety
- Feelings of hopelessness
- An inclination to push the support of others away – just when it could be most helpful
- A tendency to self-isolate
- Fear of getting back behind the wheel
These emotional consequences can exacerbate your physical and financial losses and can make reaching your fullest recovery that much more challenging.
Turn to Dedicated and Aggressive T-Bone Accident Lawyers
When you choose a lawyer at our firm to handle your accident or injury case, you can expect your auto or bicycle accident attorney to look into how and why the accident happened, thoroughly answer any questions you have, and, most importantly of all: make sure you receive just compensation. Your lawyer may also speak with other experts to make sure your case has a positive outcome.
Here at Kalikhman & Rayz, we take pride in giving each and every client the personalized attention he or she deserves. To get in touch with an automobile accident or personal injury attorney at our Philadelphia office, reach out to us today.
Our Process for Your Case
Here's our step-by-step process:
Meet With Us
We'll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain what you can expect moving forward.
Focus on Recovery
Your health comes first. While you receive treatment, we stay in touch and begin building the foundation of your case.
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We gather evidence, review medical records, and document the full impact of your injuries.
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FAQs
Can I sue for a T-bone crash if I have “Limited Tort” insurance in Philadelphia?
Yes. While Limited Tort usually restricts pain and suffering claims, you can sue if your injuries are considered serious. This typically involves permanent impairment or significant disfigurement. Common T-bone injuries like TBIs or broken bones often qualify for this exception, allowing you to seek full compensation despite your policy type.
What if I was T-boned by an Uber or Lyft driver in Philadelphia?
Rideshare accidents involve tiered insurance. If the driver had a passenger or was en route to a pickup, a $1 million policy typically applies. If they were just logged into the app, lower limits cover you. Because these cases involve corporate insurers, an attorney is essential to maximize your recovery.
How long does a T-bone accident lawsuit take to settle in Philadelphia County?
In Philadelphia, most T-bone cases settle within 12 to 24 months. Straightforward claims may resolve faster, but serious injuries require reaching “maximum medical improvement” before finalizing a value. If court backlogs or disputed liability force a trial in the Court of Common Pleas, the process can exceed two or three years.
Who is liable for a T-bone accident in a Philadelphia parking garage or private lot?
In Philadelphia, liability usually rests with the driver who violated the right-of-way. Generally, vehicles in the main thoroughfare have priority over those exiting parking rows. However, the property owner may also be liable if poor garage design, inadequate lighting, or obscured signage contributed to the crash.
Resources for Injury Victims
The aftermath of an accident can be a lot to handle. Here are some resources to get you started before you call our team:
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