In the top of the most severe car crashes, T-bone accidents rank high. A side-impact crash is particularly dangerous for passengers in the back seat, who have little protection against a direct impact. And, as an experienced Douglas car accident lawyer knows, proving the other driver’s fault after the crash is not always simple and straightforward.
Let us discuss why these types of accidents are so severe and what to do if you or your family members were injured in a T-bone accident.
Why Do Side-Impact Collisions Result in Severe Injuries?
A study prepared by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that passengers have the highest risk of death in a T-bone accident. Moreover, another comprehensive analysis on this type of traffic crashes shows that the risk is higher for people traveling in an older car. These vehicles lack safety elements such as airbags or reinforced door frames.
Also, the level of danger is also given by the angle at which one vehicle strikes the other. A direct side impact usually results in fatalities and very severe injuries, because the entire force of the collision is concentrated on a small area. An oblique blow is less dangerous, because the force is distributed over a larger area of the struck car.
Last but not least, a T-bone accident is more or less severe based on the direction of the impact::
- Far side: the car is hit on the opposite side to the passenger’s seat, resulting in a lower risk of death
- Near side: the vehicle is hit on the passenger’s side, causing almost always death or life-changing injuries
Proving Fault in T-Bone Accidents
The most important thing to remember is that the person who files a claim after a car accident has the burden of proof. You must have a preponderance of evidence showing that:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care – this is implied for anyone using public roads
- The driver breached their duty by negligence
- The driver’s negligence caused the accident which resulted in your injuries
- You suffered tangible (economic) damages as a result of the injuries
All these are required elements in any personal injury claim in Georgia. Also, you must be able to prove that you were less than 50% at fault for the crash – this is the legal threshold allowing you to seek damages under the comparative negligence principle in our state.
Types of Evidence a Lawyer Need to Prove Your Claim
When you consult with a Douglas car accident lawyer, you should bring all the evidence you have with you. This will allow the attorney to evaluate if you have a valid claim.
The typical evidence needed in a car accident claim includes:
- The accident report prepared by the law enforcement officers who investigated the crash
- The medical report and diagnostic tests issued by the hospital where you received treatment immediately after the crash
- All bills and receipts for expenses: hospital bills, receipts for refilling prescription and follow-up medical appointments, car rental or taxi receipts
- Photos and videos you took at the accident scene
- Eyewitness’ statements
Why Hire a Lawyer to File a T-Bone Accident Claim
Getting damages from an auto insurance company is an uphill battle. The insurance adjuster who will handle your claim has a clear task: to deny your claim or minimize its value as much as possible. These professionals have a whole list of tricks they use on accident victims:
- Getting them to admit fault for the accident
- Pressuring them into accepting a lowball settlement offer
- Interpreting evidence in a manner that increases the victim’s proportion of fault
- Delaying the final decision on the claim until the statute of limitations nearly runs out
An experienced lawyer knows how to fight these tactics and prove that you have sufficient evidence to win a case against their client even in court. In most of the cases, the attorney will manage to reach a fair settlement before reaching the courtroom phase.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Douglas Car Accident Lawyer!
The best thing to do after a side-impact accident is to reach out to a skilled Douglas car accident lawyer at Joe Durham Jr., P.C as soon as possible after the crash. Having an experienced attorney handling your claim gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
As a new client, you benefit from a free case evaluation, so call us today at 229-210-6226!
