Man driving a car at night

What Types of Injuries Are Associated with T-Bone Accidents?

By Greg Kohn
Partner

A “T-Bone” accident is also known as a side-impact accident. It occurs when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another. These accidents can lead to many injuries and, most commonly, whiplash, a severe neck injury. Both drivers and passengers sitting on the impacted side can be injured.

If you have experienced a T-Bone accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Our New Jersey car accidents attorney can evaluate your case and whether you have a claim.

T-Bone Accidents And Common Injuries

After a collision in a T-Bone accident, the position of the vehicles usually resembles a T-bone steak, hence the term. These accidents can occur for varying reasons. For example, one car can drive through a red light and hit another in an intersection. Here, the driver who ran the light is responsible for the accident. 

These accidents can also be caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, texting while driving, failing to stop, and much more. A T-Bone accident can cause mild to severe injuries and a similar range of property damage.

Persons involved in these accidents are often more seriously injured than in other car accidents. This is due to the significant impact caused by a vehicle hitting the side of another car where passengers often sit. Common injuries include:

  • Concussions
  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Chronic pain and nerve damage
  • Trauma-related illnesses

You should immediately seek medical attention if you have been involved in a T-Bone accident and follow all medical protocols you are given.

What Can I Recover for a T-Bone Accident?

The amount you may be entitled to as a result of the claim can vary depending on the severity of your injuries, your medical bills, repair bills, and other costs. In addition, the amount of financial and other damages you will suffer in the future due to the injuries you sustained will be taken into account.

The good news is that because New Jersey is a no-fault insurance state, you will have medical coverage for your injuries through your insurance company, up to your limits. This is true regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This is also true even if you are injured as a passenger in another person’s vehicle.

The bad news is that working with insurance companies can be overwhelming and difficult. Insurance companies are motivated to pay you as little as possible and minimize the value of your claim. 

This is where the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can be invaluable. The attorney can determine the value of your claim for injuries and monetary losses you sustained. They can also gather evidence to prove to the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the T-Bone accident, and that backs up the amount of your claim.

If an insurance company does not offer you fair compensation for your injuries, you may need to file a lawsuit and request a jury to make a decision. An experienced attorney can also assist you with this process.

Speak With an Attorney

The guidance of a personal injury attorney in helping you deal with your injuries in a T-Bone accident can make a world of difference and lead to a better outcome. Our office can help you navigate how to deal with insurance companies and file a lawsuit, if necessary. You have two years to sue in New Jersey on a claim, with some exceptions. For legal help get in touch with our office today for a free consultation.

About the Author
Greg Kohn is a partner at Nagel Rice and specializes in complex civil litigation cases, including professional malpractice, personal injury, class actions, wrongful death, products liability, and commercial litigation.  He has extensive experience representing clients in both state and federal court. Greg has tried many jury trials to verdict and has recovered over $50 million in settlements and verdicts in all types of personal injury matters including automobile accidents, wrongful death cases, slip and falls, and other catastrophic injury cases. Greg also handles medical malpractice cases, involving misdiagnoses, wrongful birth, and delayed cancer diagnosis. If you have questions regarding this article, you can contact Greg here.