T-Bone Accidents

Severe car accidents, like T-bone collisions, lead to serious injuries, with sometimes a long recovery period as well as mounting expenses. The car crash attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon know the struggles faced by victims near Miami and work hard to help their clients pursue proper compensation from those who are responsible for their harm. We serve individuals in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties, as well as across Florida, helping them throughout the entire legal process of an injury claim.

T-bone accidents, or side-impact and broadside collisions, happen as a result of one vehicle hitting the side of another. These types of collisions usually occur at intersections, sometimes as a result of another vehicle’s failure to yield the right of way properly. T-bone collisions can cause more serious injuries than other types of accidents, to both drivers and passengers who are struck on the side. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2011, a side impact was initially involved in almost 3,000 fatal car crashes.

T-bone collisions can often lead to permanent and severe injuries to both drivers and passengers involved. These crashes often involve broken bones and fractures, and they can even leave their victims scarred or disfigured, or suffering a spinal cord or brain injury. Depending on the force of impact, a T-bone accident may even lead to death.

These collisions are often caused by another driver’s carelessness on the road. They can be a result of speeding, a distracted motorist, or various other reckless actions, which legally may be considered negligent. Those who are negligent when operating their vehicles may be held liable for the injuries they cause. To receive compensation for harm resulting from a careless driver, a victim or plaintiff must prove:

• The driver owed him or her a duty of care to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act in the same circumstances;
• That duty was breached;
• The breach caused injuries; and
• The plaintiff suffered compensable damages as a result.

For instance, a driver who runs a red light in an intersection or makes a dangerous left turn into oncoming traffic, causing an side-impact accident, may be found to have breached his or her duty to others on the road. Damages available in car accident cases often include past and future medical costs, property damages, and lost income and earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering.

If a T-Bone collision has led to a tragic fatality, family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and loss of consortium. Whether pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death claim, time can be a factor in preserving your rights in court. In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is four years, while a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years.

Even if you were partly at fault in a T-bone collision, you can still pursue legal action to receive compensation for your losses. Since Florida is a pure comparative fault state, damages are awarded based on each party’s degree of responsibility for an accident. This means a partially negligent plaintiff can be compensated for his or her injuries in proportion to the defendant’s fault.

T-bone accidents can be complex cases in determining what led to the crash, who may be at fault, and what is necessary to help the victims recover. The motor vehicle collision lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon have experience dealing with these types of accidents near Miami. We can sort through the evidence while you focus on getting better. If you have been injured in a car accident, call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.