Have you or a loved one suffered severe injuries in a T-bone car accident in Phoenix because of another person’s wrongful actions? Are you now dealing with devastating losses and other hardships that have forever flipped your life upside down?
Thankfully when you have an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney on your side, you will not have to go through this challenging situation alone. Instead, you can focus on your healing while your lawyers fight for the justice you deserve. We have prepared the following post to explain how these lawyers can help you. In it, we review the effects of a T-bone car accident, the remedies you may have following these collisions, and how a legal professional can help you fight for your rights.
What is a t-bone accident?
A t-bone accident results is when one motor vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, forming a letter “T” at the place of impact. While these crashes frequently occur at intersections when one motorist disregards a red light or stop sign, they can also occur on highways when a driver loses control of their motor vehicle or in parking lots when a driver backs out without seeing a car behind them.
Common Causes of T-Bone Car Accidents in Phoenix
Even though most T-bone car accidents result from driver error, there are other causes behind this debilitating accident.
For instance, in Phoenix, some common causes of t-bone car accidents include:
- Speeding
- A motorist failing to make a safe or lawful left turn
- A motorist not stopping at a red light or a stop sign
- A motorist not yielding to the right of way at an intersection
- Distracted driving causing the motorist to remove their eyes from the road, such as eating, texting, or playing with the radio
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Defective cars or parts, such as a breaking failure
- A motorist operating their car too close to the vehicle in front of them (tailgating)
If you suffered harm in a T-bone accident for a reason not indicated above, it is still wise to reach out to an experienced Phoenix T-bone accident attorney as soon as possible. These lawyers can not only review the facts of what happened and figure out if you have a valid legal case, but they can also help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Are Common T-Bone Car Accident Injuries in Phoenix
Unfortunately, T-bone car accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents on the road. These crashes can lead to catastrophic injuries: the direct impact of a motor vehicle striking another vehicle from the side can be devastating, primarily if a motorist or passenger is sitting on the side of the car where the impact occurs.
While the severity and extent of these injuries depend on the accident, some common injuries that result from a T-bone crash include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Limb loss
- Internal damages such as internal bleeding or organ damage
- Death
In addition, some of these injuries can lead to life-long medical treatments, resulting in astronomical medical bills. Following a T-bone crash, immediately reach out to an experienced Phoenix accident attorney. These lawyers can thoroughly review the extent of your injuries, figure out how much compensation you need to get necessary medical care and help you pursue the maximum financial recovery you deserve.
Who is at fault in a t-bone accident
In Arizona, the driver who fails to yield the right of way is typically at fault in a T-bone accident. However, many people may not realize that determining fault following a T-bone car accident is not as straightforward as one may assume.
Why?
Because in some instances, various parties are responsible for these collisions, including:
- The driver who broke the rules of the road and caused the crash
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle that contributed to the T-bone accident
- A third-party, such as mechanics, employers, or other motorists whose actions caused the collision
As a result, to figure out who was responsible for your t-bone car accident, reach out to an experienced Phoenix T-bone car accident lawyer. Your lawyer can determine who was responsible for your accident and make sure they hold all at-fault parties accountable for your harm and losses.
What Compensation You Can Pursue Following a T-Bone Car Accident in Phoenix
If you suffer significant injuries in a T-bone car accident due to another person’s wrongful actions, you may pursue compensation for the following losses:
- Medical bills related to doctor visits, medications, labs, hospitalization, and other medical treatments
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Ongoing medical treatments
- Personal property damages
- Replacement of at-home services
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
Because these damages include easily verifiable and hard-to-quantify losses, review the details of your crash with a skilled car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will help you determine the total extent of your losses, assess which damages apply to your case, and help you pursue maximum compensation.
What To Do After a T-Bone Car Accident in Phoenix
Although gathering evidence after a T-bone crash or talking to witnesses may not be a priority in these instances, it may be worth taking these steps after your accident, especially if you want to help your future legal claim.
That is why following a Phoenix T-bone collision, you should consider the following:
Call 911 and Get a Car Accident Police Report
After a T-bone car accident, immediately call 911. Calling the police secures the swift help you need after the incident and secures a police report documenting what happened.
Suppose you pursue legal action after the crash. In that case, the police report provides your attorney with helpful information regarding the incident, which they can use to prepare the most convincing legal case possible.
Obtain a Medical Report Documenting Your Injuries
Make getting medical treatment after a T-bone crash your priority, especially to ensure you do not have any severe injuries. Getting a medical evaluation can also benefit your legal claim. Following T-bone accidents, insurance companies commonly use anything they can against you. If you do not seek medical treatment, the other side can use this information to their benefit by arguing that your injuries are not severe or resulted from a separate event.
Thankfully, after you receive health care treatment, the doctor can provide you with a medical report detailing the extent of your trauma. This report can indicate a direct link between your injuries and the T-bone car accident.
Take Photos of the T-Bone Car Accident Scene
If the area is safe and you can, take as many photos as possible of the crash scene, including:
- The cars involved and their position on the road
- The vehicular damage
- Your visible trauma
- Traffic signs and signals near the crash
- Road defects
- Skid marks, and
- Any other evidence that can help show what happened
If your injuries prevent you from obtaining these photos, do not panic. Once you retain an experienced car accident lawyer, they will work to gather this evidence for you.
Get Information From Others After the T-Bone Car Accident
Obtain information from those involved in the t-bone accident, including their names, contact details, car information (such as make and model), insurance information, and driver’s license numbers.
Plus, if there were individuals who saw the crash, try to get their personal information, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses. These witnesses can often provide your attorney with further details regarding the incident and testimony that can help validate your case.
Watch the Comments You Make about the Car Accident
As you discuss the T-bone accident with others, it is critical that you watch what you say. This caution means avoiding comments such as “it was my fault” or “I apologize,” as the other side can use these statements to hurt your legal case.
Be Careful When Discussing Your Case with the Insurance Company
Although most people’s instinct after an accident is to trust the insurance company since they believe it will help them secure compensation, these companies do not operate this way. Indeed, insurance companies are like other businesses that want to make money. The less they pay you for your claim, the more they make.
For these reasons, insurance companies and their adjusters commonly try any tactic to justify denying or reducing your claim.
As a result, discuss the crash with an experienced T-bone car accident attorney before you speak with an insurance company. Your lawyer can help you understand some of the insurance company’s deceitful practices and prepare you to protect yourself. Your lawyer can even take on these discussions on your behalf, ensuring you do not say something that can negatively affect your case.
Exercise Caution at Dangerous Phoenix Intersections to Prevent T-Bone Accidents
As mentioned above, T-bone crashes often happen at busy intersections.
That is why motorists should stay especially vigilant in Phoenix, AZ when approaching some of the most dangerous intersections in the state.
- 75th Avenue and Indian School Road
- 67th Avenue and Indian School
- 67th Avenue and McDowell Road
- 99th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road
- 51st Avenue and Camelback Road
- 27th Avenue and Camelback Road
Involved in a T-Bone Accident? Fight For Justice with A Phoenix Car Accident Attorney
While no money will help you forget the tragic consequences of a T-bone car accident, securing just compensation for your harm can help your recovery. This money helps you obtain necessary medical treatments, prevents extensive financial hardships for you and your family, and gives you the peace of mind of justice served.
Better yet, with an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney, you will not have to go after this money alone.
Instead, when you work with a lawyer, they can:
- Review the facts of your T-bone collision, determine whether you have a valid legal case, and go over the legal options you can pursue.
- Investigate the crash and obtain the evidence required to show what happened, who was at fault, and the degree of your harm. (Learn more about about what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault)
- Hire experts to validate your case, including accident specialists, doctors, engineers, and financial professionals.
- File legal motions before the statute of limitations expire.
- Handle the settlement discussions with the insurer and the other side to pursue a just offer.
- If the settlement discussions go south, proceed to trial and fight for maximum compensation.
Do not wait to retain legal help following a T-bone car crash. Instead, reach out to our accident injury lawyers in Phoenix today for a free case evaluation and learn how these legal professionals can help you fight for the money you need.
Jason Hutzler
Jason Hutzler is the founding partner of Phoenix personal injury law firm Hutzler Law, and represents individuals throughout Arizona. His practice is primarily dedicated to personal injury and car accident claims, leveraging his deep expertise as a former insurance adjustor to navigate the complexities of insurance negotiations.