T-bone Car Accident in Wichita Falls
A T-bone accident is when one car strikes another on its side making a “T” shape. Our Wichita Falls car accident lawyer deals with injured car wreck victims every day and deals with T-bone accidents all the time. Aside from head-on collisions, T-bone accidents are the worst.
These accidents are so bad because of the point of impact. Because a vehicle is being hit in its side, the point of impact is directly where the driver or passenger is sitting. Not only are the victims of T-bone accidents hit directly, exponentially increasing their risk of serious impairment and life-altering injuries, but they are also subject to the car they are in flipping and rolling or spinning out of control violently throwing them around in the vehicle and causing even more injuries.
In working T-bone accidents, determining and demonstrating who is at fault is critical to your case because in order to be compensated for your injuries and other damages such as the damage done to your vehicle, you must prove to the other person’s insurance company that their insured was at fault for the accident and their negligence was the cause of the accident. Often, this requires knowing what laws apply, and conducting an investigation into what happened, how the accident occurred, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and sometimes involves tracking down and obtaining statements from witnesses as well as collecting accident and police reports.
Our Wichita Falls car accident law firm has a team that will fight for you. We handle these accidents all the time and we have the experience helping clients recover after they have suffered serious injuries from T-bone accidents all throughout Texas and Oklahoma. If someone else was at fault for the accident, you should be able to receive compensation in a car accident and injury claim. Call our office today at 940-569-4000 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
Who is at Fault For a Wichita Falls T-bone Accident?
Contrary to what you may think, the person at fault for a T-bone accident is not always the person who drove their vehicle into the side of the other person. Generally, one driver has the right of way compared to another. If one driver fails to abide by the law and fails to yield to other drivers who have the right of way, they are at fault for causing a T-bone accident. Many other circumstances can lead to T-bone collisions, including:
- Failure to yield
- Running a red light and/or stop sign
- Failure to slow down and/or come to a complete stop at a stop sign or yield sign
- Failure to follow right of way rules at a four way stop
- Failure to yield to oncoming traffic when attempting to cross a road
When it comes to proving liability, documentation is key. This documentation includes things such as the police report, citations, photographs, videos, and witness statements. In more complex cases, an expert such as an accident reconstructionist can be hired to reconstruct how an accident occurred and establish who was at fault for the accident. An experience T-bone accident attorney can help you in proving liability as well as your damages so you can fully recover from you accident.
The Severe Injuries Involved in Wichita Falls T-bone Accidents
Wichita Falls T-bone accidents are so devastating because they usually result in a significant amount of force being applied directly where a driver or passenger is sitting. This direct impact can result in life-altering injuries and sometimes even death. In the following situations, a T-bone accident can be more severe:
- The point of impact is directly on one of the doors of the vehicle where a occupant is sitting
- The force is hard enough to break elements of the car such as glass or metal, turning them into shrapnel, which can result in severe cuts and lacerations, neck injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and/or head/face trauma
- The T-bone accidents involved a large truck such as a semi or tractor trailer, other large commercial vehicle, or a motorcycle or bike
What Are the Common Injuries of T-bone Accidents?
T-bone wrecks often cause very serious injuries, including:
- Head/face trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and breaks
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Whiplash
If you have suffered any of the injuries listed above after being involved in a T-bone accident which was due to the negligence of the other drive, you have the right to pursue a claim to be compensated for your injuries.
How to Prove a T-bone Accident Claim in Texas and Oklahoma?
Our car wreck lawyer in Wichita Falls will take a number of steps to prove your T-bone accident claim, which will begin with gathering important evidence related not only to who is at fault for the accident, but also related to your injuries. This investigation will include evidence such as:
- The accident report
- Statements from witness who saw the accident happen
- Medical records
- Billing records
- Employment records to show any lost wages
- Any other documents demonstrating your damages from the accident
After we have put the insurance carrier on notice and gathered all the evidence, we will develop a demand package that we will submit to the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. If the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to pay for any reason, we will move forward by filing a lawsuit for you.
What Should I Do After a T-bone Accident in Texas and Oklahoma?
The most important thing you can do after being in an accident is get the medical treatment you need. Do not delay going to the hospital. Often, because of the adrenaline from being in the accident, you won’t feel the injuries until that adrenaline has worn off. It’s important to go get checked out, get the medical treatment you need, and focus on getting better. Of course, calling 911 and getting the police to investigate the accident and make a report is important as well.
After you have taken care of yourself, you will have to start dealing with the insurance companies. Be careful when talking with the person who caused the accident’s insurance companies and please DO NOT sign any forms, releases, or authorization and DO NOT give any statements. Anything you say to them will be used against you to minimize your claim. Before you talk to any insurance, check out our article on how to deal with insurance companies and their adjusters.
Contact a Wichita Falls T-bone Car Accident Attorney
If you do not feel like dealing with the insurance companies or you aren’t exactly sure how to handle them, you can contact an experience car accident attorney who can help guide you through the claims process and make sure you are doing everything right to maximize your claim.
Our Wichita Falls car accident law firm is always ready to assist you and provide you with the information and guidance you need to receive the compensation you deserve. T-bone accidents are traumatic, and they can quickly throw your life into disarray. Luckily, you don’t have to go through them alone. Call our firm today at 940-569-4000 to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We are always happy to help you.