Fault Depends On The Situation
Side-impact collisions — commonly known as T-bone accidents — can be some of the most frightening and destructive crashes on the road. They can occur in numerous varied traffic situations, which can make determining who is at fault extremely complicated. Either driver, or in rarer cases, both drivers can be found at fault for the accident, unlike certain other types of accidents where fault is more easily determined — for example, when one driver rear-ends another.
The statistics on side-impact collisions paint a serious picture. According to the NHTSA, side-impact collisions accounted for approximately 25% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the United States , making them one of the deadliest collision types on the road. Data from the NHTSA shows that angle collisions, such as T-bone accidents, accounted for more than 23% of all accidents in the United States in 2020 , resulting in thousands of fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries annually.
Part of what makes these collisions so dangerous is the point of impact. Unlike front or rear-end crashes, where the vehicle’s structure and crumple zones absorb much of the force, the side of a vehicle offers far less protection. In many cases, only a thin door and window separate the occupant from the striking vehicle. This means that even a relatively moderate-speed T-bone collision can result in serious injuries including head trauma, spinal damage, broken bones, and internal bleeding.
As these cases are rarely cut and dry, it’s important to retain legal counsel if you’ve been involved in a side-impact accident. You need a Colorado Springs car crash lawyer who understands the tactics used by insurance companies and opposing counsel in order to protect your rights.
Common Causes Of Side-Impact Collisions
T-bone accidents happen most frequently at intersections, and they almost always involve some form of driver negligence. The most common causes include running red lights or stop signs, failing to yield the right of way, distracted driving, impaired driving, and misjudging the speed of an oncoming vehicle. In some cases, a defective traffic signal or poorly designed intersection can also be a contributing factor, which may open up a claim against a government entity.
Understanding what caused the accident is critical to building a strong case. A thorough investigation — including traffic camera footage, witness statements, accident reconstruction, and police reports — can help establish exactly what happened and who bears responsibility. This is the kind of detailed work that an experienced personal injury attorney will undertake on your behalf from day one.
Common Injuries In T-Bone Accidents
The injuries sustained in side-impact collisions tend to be severe due to the limited protection on the sides of vehicles. Some of the most frequently seen injuries include traumatic brain injuries, whiplash and neck injuries, spinal cord damage, broken ribs and internal organ injuries, hip and pelvis fractures, and shoulder injuries. These types of injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and in some cases lead to permanent disability. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a T-bone accident, understanding what damages you can recover is an important first step.
Why You Need An Experienced Attorney For Your Side-Impact Claim
Not every Colorado attorney is equally skilled when it comes to traffic collision cases, which is why it’s important to choose a lawyer with experience in this complex field of law. Rector Stuzynski Law Firm’s attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience and can provide you with the knowledge and expertise required to fight your case successfully — whether that means negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case all the way to trial.
Car accidents often seem to the average person to involve a certain amount of he said/she said, but once in litigation, contradictory statements and misinformation can often be debunked by an experienced lawyer. For example, if a plaintiff says that the defendant ran a red light and caused a collision in an intersection resulting in injury, one might think the case is open and shut. However, if the defendant claims the light was still green, the situation becomes much murkier.
In one case like this, the plaintiff alleged injuries to her neck, back, and wrist as a result of a collision and demanded $75,000 for her injuries. The defense claimed that the plaintiff was negligent and that not all her injuries were caused by the accident. The judge found that while the plaintiff had sustained injuries, the defendant had not been negligent and would not be held responsible. This outcome would likely have been very different had the defendant not enlisted the help of an experienced attorney. If you want to understand what your case might be worth, check out our guide on typical car accident settlement amounts.
Colorado is also a modified comparative negligence state, which means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you may not be able to recover anything at all. This makes having strong legal representation even more critical in side-impact cases where fault is frequently disputed by both sides.
Have You Been Injured Or Suffered Property Damage From A Side-Impact Collision? Contact Us Today.
Rector Stuzynski Law Firm is home to some of the most experienced personal injury and accident lawyers in Colorado Springs and can help you if you’ve been involved in a T-bone or side-impact collision. We offer free consultations 24/7 and work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay us anything unless we win for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out — call us today at (719) 578-1106.
