Car wrecks are scary. Even being involved in a minor fender bender can send your anxiety skyrocketing. More serious collisions can result in catastrophic physical, financial, and emotional harm. This is especially true of side impact crashes. A side impact wreck, also known as a T-bone collision or broadside crash, is defined as an accident where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming the shape of a “T” at the point of impact.
When you have suffered injuries and damages after a side impact or T-bone car accident in Buffalo or anywhere else in the state, you may be wondering what steps you should take next or how you will find the money to cover your medical expenses and support your family while you are out of work. Fortunately, help may be available from a personal injury claim that seeks compensation for your losses. Reach out to Richmond Vona, LLC to speak with our trusted car accident attorneys to begin reviewing the details of a potential claim.
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Common Causes of T-Bone Wrecks
Broadside accidents can occur due to a variety of factors. Most of the time, these wrecks are the result of driver negligence. Common causes of T-bone crashes in Buffalo include:
Distracted driving, such as texting
Drunk driving
Unsafe driving in bad weather
Reckless driving, including speeding
Driver inexperience or even just poor judgment
Typically, side-impact accidents are seen at four-way stops or intersections when somebody blows through a red light or stop sign. However, they can also take place on streets where somebody loses control or sometimes even in parking lots. It is more common for impact to take place on the passenger side of a vehicle, especially when a T-bone accident occurs at an intersection while somebody is attempting to make a left, but these collisions can happen on either side.
Broadside Collision Injuries
Because impact takes place on the side of the vehicle, there is often little to no cushion between the collision and the person sitting on that side of the car. Unfortunately, this often leads to catastrophic or even fatal harm. Some of the most common injuries include spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, burns and bruises from airbags and seatbelts, concussions, whiplash, soft tissue damage, paralysis, neck injuries, and chest injuries.
What To Do After a Broadside Wreck
When a person is involved in a side impact collision in Buffalo, the first step they should take is to check to see if they or anyone else in their car is injured. If possible, they should move their car to the side of the road to get out of the way of oncoming traffic.
Calling the police even if they think they are not injured is also critical. It is incredibly important that the police come, fill out a report, take down witness information, and collect all insurance information.
While a person is waiting for the police to come, they can take photos of the scene and their injuries if they are able to and then ultimately accept treatment if an ambulance comes to take them to the hospital. Seeking medical care is essential not only for physical well-being but because it helps establish the connection between the wreck and a person’s injuries.
How Can an Attorney Help After a T-Bone Crash?
Once they receive treatment for their side impact collision, they should immediately call a Buffalo car accident attorney who can take immediate steps to ensure that the other insurance companies are not allowed to talk to their client. Our team can also:
Conduct a thorough investigation
Speak to witnesses
Pull event recorder or black box data
Fully recreate the accident to establish fault
Help them seek appropriate medical treatment so they can get on the road to healing
Ultimately, Richmond Vona LLC can help navigate injured motorists through the legal process, file a lawsuit if necessary, and work to give them the highest settlement they are entitled to.
Call Our Team for Help After a Buffalo Side Impact or T-Bone Car Accident
A person involved in a side impact collision can recover economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. They can also seek non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and mental and emotional distress.
When you are hurt in a side impact or T-bone car accident in Buffalo, do not delay in seeking legal guidance. Call today to get started and to learn more about how our team can put our experience to work for you.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
