When two vehicles collide, the extent of damage to vehicles and the severity of injuries suffered by the passengers will depend, in large part, on the force involved in the collision (which is determined by mass multiplied by acceleration) and the angle at which the vehicles collide. For example, head-on collisions are more likely to be deadly than are rear-end crashes. One type of accident that can be especially severe is a T-bone collision. If you or a loved one has been involved in a T-bone accident, our Pueblo T-bone accident lawyers at the law office of McCormick & Murphy, P.C. want to meet with you. Call our law firm today to learn more about how we can help.
What Is a T-bone Accident?
A T-bone collision refers to an accident that results in vehicles colliding in a shape that resembles a “T,” with the front-end of one vehicle hitting the side of another. T-bone accidents almost always occur at intersections and may be the result of a driver’s failure to yield or running of a red light, excessively speeding or using alcohol (i.e. drunk driving), driving while distracted, or even aggressive driving. T-bone accidents can lead to serious injuries regardless of how they happen, but are more likely to be serious if high speeds are involved. Again, because force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration, the faster that a vehicle is traveling at the time of impact, the more force involved in a crash.
Injuries in a T-bone Crash
T-bone crashes are regarded as some of the most severe crash types, as the injuries suffered by both drivers involved in the accident, as well as any passengers, may be very serious. Injuries that might occur as a result of a T-bone crash include:
- Facial, head, and traumatic brain injuries. The face and the head, as well as the brain, are especially vulnerable in a crash. If hit with force, the brain can sustain a traumatic brain injury(TBI), that can cause permanent impairment, and even be deadly in some cases. In addition to a TBI, injuries to the face, including lacerations and bruising, as well as broken bones, are common.
- Back, neck, and spine injuries. The range of potential back, neck, and spine injuries that a car accident victim may suffer is wide. Injuries may include soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, to broken vertebrae in the neck and spine, to even a spinal cord injury in severe cases. Spinal cord injuries can cause permanent paralysis from the site of injury downwards.
- Bone and soft tissue injuries. Bone fractures are common in a crash, and can include fractures in the spine, neck, ribs, and myriad other places of the body, including the extremities. Soft tissue injuries are also common, and include sprains and strains of muscles and tendons. The knees, back, and neck are most likely to be affected.
- Other catastrophic injuries. Some of the injury types described above can be classified as catastrophic. In addition to severe bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries, other catastrophic injury types include burn injuries (which could happen if the vehicle were to catch on fire as a result of the crash) and amputation injuries.
- Psychological injuries. In addition to the multitude of physical injuries that a victim of a T-bone crash is at risk of suffering, psychological injuries are also possible, and likely in the event of a severe crash. Potential psychological injuries include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the development of anxiety and depression.
Liability for a T-bone Accident in Pueblo
Determining and proving fault in a T-bone accident in Pueblo can be difficult – this is where our Pueblo T-bone accident lawyers come in. Because Colorado is an at-fault car insurance state, determining who caused the accident will be critical in recovering compensation. Our lawyers will review all relevant evidence, as well as work with accident reconstruction experts and other professionals to rebuild your accident and determine precisely how it happened. Important evidence that we will consider in making a fault determination include:
- The police report from your accident, which may provide clues about vehicles’ position, traffic signals, names of witnesses, and which driver received a citation for the accident.
- The statements of any eyewitnesses to the accident, which can be vital when proving fault.
- Traffic signal programming, which could prove that the other driver ran the red light or failed to yield when compared against the time that the accident occurred (i.e. the program data shows that the light turned red at 10:24:00, and the accident occurred at 10:24:45.
- Damage to vehicles, which can offer clues about the speed at which the vehicles were traveling, the actions of each driver in trying to mitigate the accident, and more. In addition to merely assessing your vehicle for damages, our lawyers will work with experts who can assess for vehicle defects, as well as whether or not any defects could have contributed to the accident (i.e. unresponsive brakes or broken blinkers).
- Any intersection camera video that may be available.
Your Right to Compensation
Our Pueblo T-bone accident lawyers won’t just gather evidence and work hard to prove the fault of the responsible party – we will also aggressively defend your right to compensation for the full value of your losses, both economic and noneconomic. This includes issuing a demand letter against the insurer of the at-fault party, negotiating any settlement offer that you receive, and taking your case to court and litigating on your behalf if a fair settlement offer is not made.
Call Our Pueblo T-bone Collision Attorneys Today
We know how terrifying being involved in a serious accident can be. After a crash, you may feel overwhelmed and hopeless as you cope with serious injuries and the bills for your medical expenses–compounded by the fact that you are unable to work and are therefore suffering lost wages as well–start pouring in. When you call our Pueblo T-bone accident attorneys, you can count on our experience and dedication. Please reach us today online or by phone at (719) 225-1737 to set up your free consultation.