Hamburg T-Bone Car Accident Lawyers

T-bone car accidents usually occur at intersections where two cars must pass. One driver either runs a stop sign or a red light, or they try to pass through the intersection when they do not have the clearance. These types of car crashes often result in serious injuries and even death. If you have been injured in a 

If you were in a T-bone car accident that was someone else's fault, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. First, you must navigate various challenges that may arise along the way with an experienced Hamburg T-bone car accident lawyer. 

Why Are T-Bone Crashes So Serious?

A T-bone car accident can be very dangerous for both drivers involved in the crash and the passengers who are in their vehicle. The car that strikes the other experiences a force that is nearly comparable to that which is exerted in a head-on crash. The other driver may be struck at a part of their car that is located nearest to them. Although vehicles are designed to withstand crashes to the fullest extent possible, there is little protection for a motorist or passenger who is struck on the side of the car where they are sitting. Accordingly, both parties involved in the accident may suffer serious injuries.

T-Bone car accidents have a higher fatality rate than other types of motor vehicle crashes. They are estimated to be responsible for roughly one in every four car accident fatalities in the United States. 

Who Is Liable for a T-Bone Car Crash?

Although the rules governing T-bone car accidents sound simple in practice, they can be more complex. The general rule is that there is a presumption that the driver who failed to yield the right of way is the one who is to blame for the crash. This means that if a driver has run a stop sign or a red light, they would be to blame for the T-bone accident. To prove fault, you need evidence of your own that shows that the other driver was negligent. 

Your car accident lawyer may use the following to prove your case:

• Witness testimony from people who saw the accident
• Pictures from the scene of the accident
• Video camera footage of the accident, such as from a red-light camera in the intersection
• The police report from the accident can only be used in an insurance claim and not in court because it is hearsay
• Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert who uses principles of math and physics to reach their conclusion about who was to blame for the crash

Common Injuries in a T-Bone Car Accident

Intersection car accidents can cause serious injuries and even death. You may sustain injuries that can change the course of your life. At the very minimum, you could be looking at a lengthy rehabilitation before you can regain some or all of the function that you had before the accident.

Common injuries in a T-bone car accident may include:

• Fractures and broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Neck and back injuries
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

You have the obligation to seek medical help as soon as possible, both to mitigate your own damages and to preserve your ability to recover to the fullest extent possible. When a doctor has made medical recommendations, it is vital that you follow up with your appointments and pursue all necessary care. 

What Are the Challenges in a T-Bone Car Accident Case?

It is not always readily apparent which driver failed to yield the right of way in an intersection car accident. The driver whose front struck the other vehicle may not always be the one who is to blame because the other motorist may have run the stop sign or red light.

The problem comes when the other driver is telling a story that is completely opposite to yours. They know and understand that they can be personally liable if they admit fault. Accordingly, they may not tell the truth about their role in the accident.

If this happens, you have the obligation to break the so-called “truth contest” before you can qualify for financial compensation. You must have evidence that proves your case, meaning that you must disprove the other driver's story. If you do not have the necessary witness testimony, your car accident lawyer may work with accident reconstruction experts to prove your side of the case. 

What if I Am Blamed for the T-Bone Car Accident?

The fact that the other driver failed to yield the right of way is not necessarily the end of the story when it comes to determining liability for the accident. The other driver's insurance company may still try to blame you for the crash, either in whole or in part. For example, even if it is readily apparent that their driver ran a stop sign, the insurance company may claim that you were either speeding or otherwise distracted. They may argue that you could have avoided the accident had you been paying attention.

Under New York law, the amount of compensation that you receive would be reduced by the percentage of fault that you bear. New York is considered a “pure comparative negligence” state, meaning that you can recover financial compensation so long as you were anything less than 100% to blame for the accident. Still, you do not want the size of your settlement check to be unnecessarily reduced. Accordingly, it is vital that you fight back with your own evidence and contest the insurance company’s version of events if you believe that you have been wrongfully blamed for the accident in any way.

How Much Is My T-Bone Crash Case Worth?

The amount of money that you receive when you are able to prove that the other driver is liable depends on both your injuries and the amount of insurance coverage available to pay for them. You would first turn to the other driver's insurance coverage before filing a claim against your own underinsured policy if there is not enough money available.

Your car accident damages can include the following elements:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Your car accident lawyer works to get you the best possible settlement with the insurance company if it is possible to resolve your case informally. If you cannot reach a settlement agreement, your car accident lawyer would litigate your case in court, and a jury would decide whether the other driver is liable and how much you are owed. 

Contact the Hamburg T-Bone Car Accident Lawyers at Dan Chiacchia Injury Attorneys to Get the Compensation You Deserve for Your Injuries

If you have been injured in a car crash that occurred at an intersection, speak to the Hamburg T-bone car accident lawyers at Dan Chiacchia Injury Attorneys. We offer free case reviews to prospective clients, and you can schedule one by filling out an online contact form or by calling us today at 716-648-3030. Located in Hamburg, New York, we proudly serve clients in West Seneca, Orchard Park, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga, Erie County, and the rest of the county.