T-bone car accidents can happen when you least expect it, and another driver suddenly pulls out in front of you causing you to crash into the side of their vehicle. These collisions can result in serious, catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been injured in a t-bone accident that was not your fault. You have a right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to the wreck.
When you’re involved in a t-bone car accident with multiple drivers, it can be complicated to prove who was responsible for causing the accident. At the Law Office of Kenneth Berger, our South Carolina car accident lawyer can help determine liability, protect your legal rights, and help you seek a full, fair settlement for your injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation by calling our Columbia, SC office at 803-790-2800 or our Myrtle Beach, SC office at 843-427-2800. Let us protect your legal rights so you can focus on healing.
What Does It Mean To Be “T-Boned” In A Car Accident?
A t-bone car accident occurs when the front of one car hits the side of another vehicle. The “t-bone” phrase refers to the shape the two vehicles form upon collision. This type of accident is also sometimes known as a side impact collision or a broadside collision.
Are T-Bone Accidents Deadly?![T-Bone Collisions Account for 23% of Passenger Deaths]()
T-bone car crashes often result in much more severe injuries than other types of car wrecks. Both drivers and passengers have less protection when they are struck from the side. Without the buffer of the front or rear bumper, victims can experience life-changing injuries or death due to the lack of protection and force of impact. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, t-bone collisions accounted for 23% of passenger deaths in 2020.
How Does a T-Bone Accident Happen in South Carolina?
T-bone accidents often happen at busy intersections, typically when a driver violates another driver’s right of way. Common scenarios where a side impact collision may happen also include:
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Making a left-hand turn without the right of way
- When other drivers are speeding or misjudge the speed of an oncoming car
T-bone car crashes aren’t only limited to intersections. Any situation where a driver makes a bad judgment call or fails to uphold the right of way can lead to a side-impact collision. Bad weather in SC can also increase the risk of a broadside collision, although it doesn’t excuse the negligent driver’s responsibility to ensure safety on the road.
Common Injuries Caused By T-Bone Car Accidents in South Carolina
T-bone collisions can be more dangerous for drivers and passengers than other types of wrecks. With frontal collisions or rear-end crashes, the frame of the car acts as a buffer, putting more space between a passenger and the striking vehicle. When your car is struck from the side, there isn’t as much structure to protect you from the force of impact. You are much more likely to experience intrusion into the driver or passenger compartment of the vehicle in a t-bone accident, especially if you were sitting on the side where the vehicle was struck. The result is often serious injuries that may require significant medical care, such as:
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
If you’ve been injured in a side impact collision, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Health should be your top priority after any accident. The sooner you receive medical attention, the sooner you will be on the road to recovery.
If you’ve suffered severe, life-changing injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for the harm that has been inflicted on you. Our team of South Carolina car accident lawyers can help you seek a full, fair settlement for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
Who’s At Fault in a T-Bone Accident?
Broadside collisions can happen in the blink of an eye. If your car was t-boned, one of the best things you can do to protect your legal rights is to stay at the scene of the accident. Gather as much evidence as you can by taking pictures of the damage to your car and collecting witness statements.
Establishing liability in a t-bone car accident may be complicated. There may be a conflict over whether a driver violated the right of way. The party responsible for causing the accident may be a driver directly involved in the crash or a third-party driver. For example, a driver may make an unsafe left turn and cause a chain reaction where another driver swerves to avoid them, accidentally hitting another car in the process.
Our South Carolina car accident attorneys can help prove the negligence of the driver who caused the crash. When you work with the Law Office of Kenneth Berger, you can feel confident that we will dedicate the necessary time and resources to your case to ensure justice is pursued to the fullest extent. For example, it may be necessary to hire a crash reconstruction expert who can analyze exactly how the collision happened and which driver shares the largest amount of responsibility.
Our lawyers work hard to help you hold the responsible driver both legally and financially accountable for their actions. We protect your legal rights to compensation by gathering evidence to effectively prove the at-fault driver’s negligence. Don’t get caught up in complex disputes over liability; let our team establish liability so you can focus on your recovery.
T-Bone Accident Settlements in South Carolina: How Much Am I Entitled To?
Suffering from any kind of injury can be painful and stressful. You may find yourself drowning in bills if you are experiencing a severe injury that requires extensive medical care. You could be feeling overwhelmed if your injury has led to lifelong impairment that will require long-term medical care. No matter your situation, you have a right to compensation for the harm that has been inflicted upon you.
Every claim is different, so we cannot promise that you will receive a certain amount of compensation. How large your settlement is will depend on the unique facts of your case.
South Carolina law entitles you to both economic and non-economic damages. Damages you can receive compensation for may include:
- Current and future medical expenses (hospital visits, doctor visits, medication, physical therapy, etc.)
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Pain
- Mental anguish
You should always keep documentation of all expenses you have accumulated related to your injuries. Keep any records and receipts from doctor’s visits, physical therapy visits, and other medical care. This will help your attorney build a strong case to hold the at-fault driver responsible.
Learn How Our South Carolina Broadside Collision Attorneys Can Help
If you’ve suffered a severe, life-changing injury as a result of a t-bone car accident in South Carolina, we are so sorry for what you are going through. We understand the impact that such a traumatic experience can have on your life.
