At Joe Durham Jr., P.C., we are committed to providing aggressive representation and personalized attention to each client. With extensive experience in handling significant trials in both State and Federal Courts, we ensure that our clients feel confident and supported throughout their legal journey. Our practice areas include personal injury, car accidents, medical malpractice, divorce, and more.
T-bone accidents, also known as side impact collisions, are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. These crashes often happen at intersections when one vehicle runs a red light or fails to yield, striking the side of another vehicle. Victims are left with serious injuries, costly medical bills, and damaged vehicles. If you were hurt in a T-bone accident in Albany, GA, dealing with the insurance company can be difficult without legal help.
In this blog, we cover how T-bone accidents happen, common injuries, proving fault, dealing with insurance, and how an experienced Albany car accident attorney at Joe Durham Jr., P.C. can help.
How T-Bone Car Accidents Happen
T-bone accidents, also known as side impact car accidents, happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. These collisions are common at intersections and can cause serious injuries due to the lack of protection on the sides of most vehicles.
Running a Red Light or Stop Sign
Many T-bone crashes happen when one driver runs a red light or fails to stop at a stop sign. This often results in a high-speed impact with another vehicle that has the right of way. These actions violate Georgia traffic laws under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-20 and § 40-6-72.
Failure to Yield the Right of Way
Side impact collisions often occur when a driver fails to yield. For example, a vehicle turning left at an intersection may collide with oncoming traffic. Failing to yield is a common cause of T-bone accidents and may result in liability for the striking vehicle.
Distracted or Drunk Driving
Drivers who are distracted or under the influence of alcohol are more likely to miss traffic signals or stop signs. These drivers often cause side impact crashes because they fail to notice the other vehicle or react in time. This behavior increases the risk of serious injuries and vehicle damage.
Aggressive Driving and Speeding
Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating, and reckless lane changes. In side impact accidents, speeding often plays a role by increasing the force of the crash. When one vehicle is moving too fast, the impact can cause more severe injuries, including brain injuries or permanent disability.
Turning Across Traffic
Many side impact accidents happen when one car turns across traffic without enough space or time. This mistake puts the turning vehicle in the path of an oncoming car. These crashes often occur at intersections without traffic lights, especially when visibility is poor or a driver misjudges speed.
Poor Judgment at Intersections
Drivers may misread a green light as a signal to turn or assume that cross traffic will stop. These errors lead to confusion about who has the right of way. When both drivers believe they are in the clear, a T-bone collision occurs.
Mechanical Failures and Brake Issues
In some cases, a vehicle strikes another because of mechanical failure. Faulty brakes or malfunctioning traffic signals can lead to one vehicle entering an intersection unsafely. These accidents require investigation to determine fault and gather key evidence.
Common Injuries in T-Bone Accidents
T-bone car accidents often cause serious injuries due to the direct impact on the side of the vehicle, where there is less structural protection.
Head and Brain Injuries
Side impact collisions can throw a driver or passenger’s head into the window, steering wheel, or another part of the vehicle. This can lead to concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries. These injuries often require immediate medical attention and long-term care.
Neck and Back Injuries
Whiplash and spinal injuries are common in T-bone crashes. The force from a striking vehicle can twist the spine or compress discs in the back. These injuries may not be felt right away but can worsen over time, causing chronic pain or permanent disability.
Chest and Rib Injuries
The sudden force of a side impact accident can break ribs or bruise internal organs. Chest injuries are more likely if the victim was wearing a seatbelt or struck by a deployed airbag. In more severe cases, a broken rib can puncture a lung.
Pelvic and Abdominal Injuries
When a vehicle strikes the side where someone is seated, the impact can crush the lower body. This often results in fractured hips, pelvic damage, or injuries to internal organs. These injuries usually require surgery and extended recovery time.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Bone accidents often involve broken arms, legs, or shoulders. The collision can trap limbs or force them against hard surfaces inside the car. Broken bones are painful and can lead to lost wages and long-term medical treatment.
Soft Tissue Damage
Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons are common after a T-bone accident. These may include sprains, strains, and deep bruises. While they may seem minor, soft tissue injuries can cause long-term discomfort and reduced mobility.
Fatal Injuries
T-bone accidents at high speeds can be fatal, especially if the vehicle strikes the driver’s side. In these cases, the family may be entitled to pursue compensation for funeral expenses and other damages related to wrongful death.
Proving Liability After a Side Impact Collision
Establishing who is at fault in a T-bone car accident is key to securing fair compensation for injuries, property damage, and other losses.
Understanding Fault in Georgia
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means a driver can recover damages only if they are less than 50% at fault. If a driver is found to be 50% or more responsible, they cannot seek compensation. This rule is outlined in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33.
Using the Police Report
A police report is a vital piece of evidence in a side impact car accident case. It may contain statements from drivers involved, witness observations, and notes on traffic violations such as running a red light or failing to yield. Insurance companies rely heavily on this document when assessing fault.
Eyewitness Statements
Independent eyewitnesses can provide a clear account of how the T-bone crash happened. Their testimony may confirm which vehicle had the green light or whether one driver ignored a stop sign. This helps build a strong case for liability.
Traffic Camera and Dashcam Footage
Video footage from intersection cameras or personal dashcams can show the moment the collision occurs. This is strong visual proof of which vehicle entered the intersection unlawfully or failed to stop. In many side impact accidents, footage helps prove the other driver’s negligence.
Vehicle Damage Analysis
The location and type of vehicle damage can show how the impact occurred. If one car has damage to the front and the other to the side, this supports a side impact collision scenario. Accident reconstruction experts can use this information to determine fault.
Accident Reconstruction
In serious cases, attorneys work with specialists to reconstruct how the T-bone accident happened. They use physical evidence, road measurements, and vehicle positions to explain the sequence of events. This analysis helps prove liability clearly and supports the claim.
Driver Statements and Behavior
Statements made by drivers after the accident, including admissions of fault or signs of drunk driving, are important. Behavior such as aggressive driving or distracted driving also contributes to fault. These factors can be used in insurance negotiations or court.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After a T-Bone Crash
After a T-bone accident, dealing with insurance companies is often stressful. Victims face pressure to settle quickly while recovering from serious injuries and managing medical bills.
Insurance Companies Often Minimize Claims
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect company profits. After a side impact car accident, they may question the seriousness of your injuries or suggest that your actions contributed to the crash. This is common even in clear-cut cases where one vehicle runs a red light or fails to yield.
Avoid Giving Recorded Statements
Do not give a recorded statement without legal advice. Insurance companies can use your words to shift blame or reduce compensation. This is especially important if the other vehicle claims they had the right of way. Always speak with a car accident attorney first.
Do Not Accept the First Offer
Initial settlement offers rarely match the full value of your claim. They often fail to cover future medical treatment, ongoing lost wages, or non-economic damages like pain and suffering. A rushed settlement benefits the insurer, not the injury victim.
Gather Key Evidence Before Filing a Claim
Strong claims rely on strong evidence. Save the police report, take photos of vehicle damage, gather witness names, and keep records of all medical attention received. This documentation helps prove liability and supports your claim for fair compensation.
Let Joe Durham Jr., P.C. Handle the Insurance Company
Joe Durham Jr., P.C. is a trusted car accident lawyer in Albany, Georgia. He has years of experience fighting insurance companies on behalf of local injury victims. His firm handles all communication with insurers, gathers key evidence, and works to prove liability for your T-bone accident. This allows you to focus on healing while your case is built professionally and effectively.
Understand What Your Policy Covers
Insurance policies differ. Some include uninsured motorist coverage, property damage liability, or medical payments. Joe Durham Jr., P.C. can review your policy and identify every source of possible recovery, especially if the other driver is underinsured or fled the scene.
Contact an Experienced Albany Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If you’ve been injured in a T-bone or side impact accident, it’s important to take action quickly. The insurance companies will protect their own interests; make sure someone is protecting yours. Our team at Joe Durham Jr., P.C. will review your case, explain your options, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us at 229-210-6226 for a free claim review today!
