T-bone or broadside accidents are often especially harmful because a vehicle’s side has no crumple zone like the front and rear, and therefore offers little protection for occupants. Victims of T-bone collisions in St. Louis are often left with debilitating injuries, steep medical bills, and severe pain.
If you’ve been injured in a St. Louis T-bone accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and related losses. The personal injury attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, want to help you demand it. We have more than 50 years of combined experience representing people who’ve been injured in car crashes. We are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you. We understand the challenges involved in T-bone collision cases and will be relentless in our pursuit of the compensation you need for your losses.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a T-bone collision lawyer in St. Louis.
What Is a T-Bone Collision?
T-bone collisions, sometimes known as side-impact or broadside collisions, occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle traveling perpendicularly to it. When the two cars collide, they form a T shape, which gives these crashes their name.
T-bone crashes are especially dangerous for anyone in the vehicle that is struck on its side. While modern cars have front and rear crumple zones that absorb the impact of a collision, most offer less protection from being hit on the side. That means more of the force is transferred onto drivers and passengers. Consequently, T-bone collisions are particularly likely to result in serious injuries.
St. Louis T-Bone Car Crash Statistics
Missouri traffic crash records show that T-bone accidents are common in St. Louis and throughout the state and are particularly likely to cause injuries or deaths. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, angle collisions (the category most likely to include T-bone accidents) accounted for more than 35 percent of all crashes statewide in one recent year. There were 170 fatal angle collisions (about 43 percent of all fatal crashes) and more than 11,300 angle crashes involving personal injuries (about 46 percent of all injury crashes).
Types of Injuries Commonly Associated with T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents in St. Louis frequently cause significant injuries, including:
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Stress fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Chronic pain
- Nerve damage
- Back injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Injuries to internal organs
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Mental illness related to trauma
Causes of T-Bone Accidents
Driver negligence is often the cause of T-bone accidents in St. Louis. Some common examples of driver negligence that can lead to a T-bone collision include:
- Drunk driving – Drunk drivers are much more likely to run a stoplight or stop sign at an intersection and hit someone coming from a different direction, often because they did not realize they were at an intersection or fell asleep at the wheel.
- Driving while under the influence of drugs – Illegal narcotics and certain prescription medications can dull reflexes, impair judgment and perception, cause drowsiness, and even increase risky behavior. These are all factors that make a T-bone accident more likely.
- Speeding – Speeding drivers take longer to slow down and have a more challenging time controlling their vehicle, which means they are more likely to run through an intersection and plow into another car.
- Texting or making a phone call while driving – Drivers who are not focused on the task at hand are less likely to exercise proper caution when approaching intersections and more likely to overlook a vehicle crossing into their path.
- Running a red light or a stop sign – Drivers who enter intersections when they do not have the right-of-way risk colliding with other vehicles that do.
Investigating and Proving Fault for a Side-Impact Crash
In many cases, it is relatively easy to determine who was at fault for a T-bone accident, as they are often caused by a driver who proceeded through an intersection when they did not have the right-of-way. However, you will still need compelling evidence demonstrating fault and the extent of your injuries to recover compensation after a collision, especially when who had a green light is at issue. That evidence could include:
- Information from police accident reports
- Footage from traffic or surveillance cameras
- Eyewitness accounts
- Photos or other forensic evidence from the crash scene
- Testimony from crash reconstruction experts
- Medical records
Compensation for a T-Bone Accident
A T-bone accident could cause injuries that take weeks or months to heal, leaving you unable to work or even to care for yourself. In severe cases, the effects of these injuries can be permanent. A T-bone accident attorney can help you maximize the value of your injury claim and pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential due to a disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property
How a T-Bone Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help You Seek Justice
Insurance companies often resist paying fair settlements even when it is clear their policyholder is at fault. That’s why you need experienced legal representation on your side. At Sumner Law Group, LLC, our car accident lawyers in St. Louis can help you recover compensation for your injuries by:
- Investigating the accident to identify all parties who are potentially liable for your injuries
- Gathering evidence to establish liability and document your injuries
- Taking care of all the legal documents and filing your claim promptly
- Negotiating with the insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement
- Bringing your case to trial if necessary
Hiring a T-Bone Accident Lawyer in St. Louis
Hiring a T-bone accident attorney in St. Louis is easier than you think. Sumner Law Group, LLC, offers free consultations to potential clients, and we will not collect a penny unless we secure compensation for you first.
Contact us today to discuss your situation with our St. Louis T-bone accident lawyers.
