T-Bone Car Accidents in Pittsburgh
One of the most harmful types of car accidents reported in Pennsylvania each year is the T-bone collision, also known as the side-impact crash. This type of accident does not make up the majority of car accidents in the state, yet it accounts for a large percentage of fatal collisions. If you get involved in a T-bone car accident, it is up to you to protect your rights. This means hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA when necessary.
How Do T-Bone Car Accidents Happen?
A T-bone accident describes a collision between two motor vehicles where the point of impact is the front of one car against the side of another. The two vehicles will crash in the shape of the letter “T.” This type of car accident is reported most frequently at intersections in Pennsylvania.
Common causes of side-impact accidents include:
- Traffic law violations
- A driver disregarding a stop sign or ignoring a red light
- A driver speeding up at a yellow light
- Reckless driving, speeding or racing
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Distracted driving or texting while driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep behind the wheel
- A driver losing control of a vehicle
- A chain reaction crash that pushes a vehicle into the intersection
- Failing to check when backing up in a parking lot
While most T-bone accidents are traced back to some type of driver error, others are caused by issues such as auto part defects, bad brakes, tire blowouts or roadway hazards, such as a broken traffic light.
Common Injuries Caused By T-Bone Accidents
T-bone car accidents have the potential to inflict catastrophic damage due to the location of the impact on each vehicle. A front impact for one driver can whip the person rapidly forward and backward, potentially causing head and brain injuries, neck injuries, whiplash, spinal cord injuries, chest injuries, and abdominal injuries.
The occupants of the vehicle that is hit from the side can suffer equally serious injuries. The sides of a motor vehicle do not have the advantage of the “crumple zone” that is located on the front and back of the car. Therefore, the occupants of the vehicle will bear the brunt of the impact rather than a metal shell or airbags.
Who Is At Fault in a T-Bone Accident Case in Pennsylvania?
When it comes to seeking financial compensation for a T-bone accident in Pennsylvania, start with understanding the state’s “choice no-fault law.” With this uncommon insurance system, drivers have the option of opting in or out of no-fault insurance. Drivers who opt-in will seek compensation from their own car insurance providers, regardless of fault for the accident.
Drivers who opt-out – and those who suffer significant injuries – will have the right to hold someone else responsible for a T-bone accident. If you have this right, you or your car accident attorney must prove fault to recover compensation. Typically, the driver who was breaking a traffic law at the time of the crash will be held liable for a victim’s medical bills and property repairs.
For example, if a driver with a green light was passing lawfully through an intersection when another driver ran the red light, the driver with the right-of-way would likely be eligible for compensation from the other driver. An attorney can help you prove liability for your T-bone accident by gathering evidence on your behalf.
To speak to a knowledgeable auto accident attorney about a recent T-bone car accident in Pennsylvania, contact Dallas W. Hartman P.C., Attorneys at Law. We offer free initial case reviews.