T-Bone Collisions and the Serious Harm They Cause
What is a t-bone collision? These accidents, which are also commonly referred to as sideswipe collisions, occur when one vehicle is struck on the side by another vehicle. These accidents, which commonly occur at intersections, account for approximately 25% of crashes that lead to injuries in the U.S. each year. Many of these accidents are so catastrophic in nature that they require hospitalization and even lead to fatalities in some cases.
The most common places for these accidents are in parking lots and at intersections. When drivers do not fail to yield to other drivers in these areas, a sideswipe collision can take place in the blink of an eye. They also occur when somebody swerves out of control due to adverse weather conditions. When a vehicle spins out of control, a sideswipe collision can occur quickly.
Damages Caused by Side-Impact Collisions
As with all types of accidents, how severe your damages will be will depend on how your vehicle is struck, the type of vehicle, and a wide array of other factors. When numerous vehicles are involved, the damages tend to be more severe in nature. You might sustain many types of injuries including broken bones, soft tissue injuries, whiplash, spinal cord injuries, organ damage, and more as a result of your accident. Here are some of the common damages that you may be able to compensate for:
Medical Expenses: Some of the damages that tend to pile up the fastest are medical expenses, especially if your injuries are considered to be long-lasting and permanent. These could include aspects like hospital stays, physical therapy, surgery costs, and medical equipment.
Lost Wages: Lost wages also pile up after an accident when you have had to spend time away from work for any period of time. Injury victims will almost always miss out on some work as they work on their recovery. You might have lost income opportunities, as well as those in the future depending on how severe your injuries are.
Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering are damages caused by the physical distress and emotional damages you have sustained due to your car accident, which occurs in some of the most severe accidents.
Lowering the Risk of Side-Impact Collisions
You may not have known, but there are actually ways that you can reduce the chances of a side-impact collision taking place. Here are some steps that drivers can take to lower their risk of these accidents from happening:
Use Caution: Most of the side-impact collisions that occur take place at intersections. This is why drivers must always look both ways before they cross.
Watch for Trucks: Large tractor-trailers take longer to stop and are capable of causing the most catastrophic injuries in the event of a side-impact collision. If you see a truck coming toward an intersection, you should always wait an extra moment to ensure that it is actually stopping.
Stay Aware: You must always stay aware of your surroundings to prevent these accidents, which means always checking multiple times.
Speaking with a Florida Car Accident Attorney
After a collision, victims should always seek the help of a Florida personal injury attorney. Our attorneys at Sheftall & Associates have helped numerous victims after Florida car accidents, especially when they have sustained serious injuries and other damages. The aftermath of a side-impact collision can be a traumatic time for victims and their families, which is why you should never stand alone. Please contact our skilled law firm at (904) 575-9026 for the help you deserve in your time of need.