Side-impact wrecks, also called T-bone collisions, happen when the front of one car hits the side of another. They generally occur because at least one driver ignores the right of way. A driver may run a stop sign or traffic light or turn without checking oncoming traffic, which causes them to hit or get in the way of another vehicle.
T-bone collisions can lead to significant damage and injuries regardless of their speed because the side of a vehicle is the most vulnerable during impacts. You may have several options for recovery when you are injured in a side impact or T-bone car accident in Mankato. An assertive car accident attorney who is not afraid to fight for your rights can help you understand liability, fault, and potential remedies.
A side-impact collision occurs when the front of one car hits the side of another, forming the shape of the letter T. The cause is almost always the failure to yield right-of-way. A driver who ignores traffic lights or signals may hit another car. They can also get in the way of drivers with the right of way.
The driver who hit the other vehicle is not always at fault. One driver has the right of way, and the one who fails to yield that right of way generally has the most responsibility for the accident.
In some scenarios, such as four-way stops, it can be challenging to determine who had the right of way. However, each driver’s relative speed at the time of impact can provide relevant information. When a driver stops at a stop sign, they can only get up to a certain speed by the time they are in the middle of the intersection. Someone who runs a stop sign can be going much faster by the time they reach the middle of the intersection. Accident reconstruction specialists may be necessary to help prove fault in Mankato T-bone car wrecks.
While the front and back of most cars have crumple zones, which can help reduce the severity of injuries, the sides do not. Vehicle sides are usually steel-reinforced and may have side-impact airbags to reduce injuries. Still, there is very little to protect the people inside the vehicle from an impact with another vehicle. As a result, these accidents often result in severe injuries.
Some typical injuries from a T-bone collision include:
In side-impact car collisions in Mankato, distorted frames can trap the occupants, which can delay rescue efforts and put people at risk of additional injuries, including burns, if the vehicle catches on fire.
The first person to consult after a T-bone collision is a doctor because you may have hidden injuries, even if you feel fine at the scene. If you do not get emergency care at the scene, you should see a doctor within 24 hours of the event or as soon as possible. They can check you for injuries, rule out invisible injuries like TBIs, and make notes of injuries to monitor.
Once you have secured medical care, consult an attorney who handles side-impact/T-bone car accidents in Mankato. You may be facing a battle with the other driver’s insurance company to acknowledge fault and offer you a fair settlement. An attorney can handle those negotiations and any potential lawsuit while you focus on physical and emotional healing after the wreck.
